KFUPM Science Park (PASP): A New Era for Sustainable Technology Based Development

1. KFUPM Science Park (PASP):A New Era for SustainableTechnology Based Development Sadiq M. Sait (0n behalf of PASP Project Committee) 8th January 2004

2. Presentation Outline • Part I: A Brief Overview about Science Parks • Part II: Plan of PASP • Part III: Progress, Status & Discussion

3. Part I: About Science Parks • What are they? • History and Trends • Stakeholders • Motives • Relevant Joint Activities • The Incubator

4. What Are Science Parks? • A property based initiative which: • Has operational links with universities and research centers • Is designed to encourage knowledge based industries • Has an element of technology transfer and job opportunities • Over a thousand Science parks around the world: Australia, Singapore, Hong-Kong, Morocco, Finland, Brazil, UK, USA, and others • IASP (International Association of Science Parks, 250+ membership almost half are University Parks) • Different from Research Institutes (RI)? • A Recent Trend

5. Benefits from the Park • Development of the region and creation of wealth and employment opportunities • University to become skilled at industry collaboration • Tenants forming associations with the University • Commercialization of University research, including incubation facilities for start-ups

6. What is an Incubator? • An incubator generates and sustains the dynamic process of business enterprise development for individuals eager to start companies to build commercially viable products • It provides support of infrastructure, logistics, finance, training, and advice, until the businesses find their own place outside

7. Part II: Conceptual Plan of PASP • The Vision • The Mission • Goals/Objectives • Benefits to KFUPM • Benefits to Tenants • Success Factors

8. Vision To make a significant contribution to the wealth & welfare of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the development of knowledge based companies that will also strengthen the achievement of the mission of KFUPM to be a leading institution in the creation and dissemination of knowledge in its chosen fields of study Keywords: Closer ties and enduring links between academia and the industry

9. Mission • To develop financially self-sustaining physical and operational entity designed to create wealth through the commercialisation of scientific and technological knowledge from KFUPM; • Development of an entrepreneurial culture amongst faculty, researchers, students, of KFUPM and providing technical, business, and financial advice to clients; • Providing space in incubator and science park with access to university facilities and creation of a self sustaining and self supporting community of knowledge based companies.

10. Goals/Objectives • The primary purpose of instituting a science park within KFUPM can be listed as follows: • To forge a strong collaboration between the university and industry in R&D • To promote small tech-specific businesses and start-ups through an incubator program • To direct significant technology-driven foreign investment into the Kingdom • Commercialization of research • Providing a strong point of presence for major international companies and enterprises • Technology Transfer: Channeling new global technologies and practices into the Kingdom

11. What is in their for KFUPM • Joint research projects, especially for graduate and doctoral students • Work experience programs for undergrads (part- and full-time jobs for university students) • Sharing of university equipment and laboratories • Custom-designed education programs for tenants • Many staff in tenant companies can enroll in our graduate programs • Advice from tenants (companies) on course design • Adjunct appointments of industry experts to teach and research in the university

12. Other Benefits to KFUPM • Close links and collaborative efforts between the science park’s businesses and tenants and the university’s faculty, researchers and students • Attraction and retention from amongst the best faculty and researchers • Industrial presence for the benefit of students • The presence of International major companies will help keep the university abreast of the latest technological trends and developments • Employment opportunities for students (during study and upon graduation)

13. Benefits to Tenant Firms • Tenant companies can have a significant point of presence in the region especially from an R&D perspective • Availability of a highly skilled work-force pool from graduate and undergraduate student body • Assistance in identifying university programs and resources that best relate to the tenant’s research • Opportunity for commercial deployment of university’s proprietary patents and innovations • Access to the university’s advanced educational and training programs • Different from Research Institute

14. Other Joint Activities • Larger companies can have their research work contracted to the university. (The proximity with the academic departments producing hundreds of graduates in an area of expertise is a plus) • Companies can donate equipment and tools, share expertise, etc., in return for using university labs, faculty, and students • Senior staff of tenant companies can serve on University advisory committees • Tenants can offer scholarships to postgraduate students • There are several types of parks: For a Science Park linked to a University, collaboration is the key

15. Critical Success Factors • Factors that can greatly impact the development and growth are: • Planning, leadership, commitment and involvement of all concerned parties for effective implementation of the plan • The detailed plan should be based on clear objectives, well integrated with the long-term mission and goal of the university (UNESCO Team coming to assist and consult, and also British Council is involved) • Close interaction between the tenant firms and the university (openness) • A clear management structure with a Park Manager appointed at an early stage • Preference to companies in the general strengths of the university

16. Part III: Progress/Status • Some Facts • What to Expect? • Consultants (UNESCO, British Council, etc.,), Tenants, and MegaCompanies • LookAhead Plan, Action Plan

17. Some Facts • Despite the considerable benefits, genuine collaboration is difficult to achieve • Many parks are prestigious real-estate • We do not want to degenerate into a business park • We are working on attracting organizations capable of 'forming any useful association with the University’

18. What to Expect? • The university will be surrounded by some of the world’s leading technology companies • Industry participation in academia • The university will build on its current strengths due to proximity with industry. Proximity will assist greatly in fostering relationship with tenants • Research & teaching programs will concentrate on modern high technology

19. Chronology of Events • KFUPM Science Park Project Committee Formed: 19/05/2002 • International Companies Contacted: 20/06/2002 • Letters of Intent Received: 15/07/2002 • Conceptual Plan (prepared by PASP Project Committee): 15/09/2002 • PASP Website Created (http://www.ccse.kfupm.edu.sa/~cadprj): 01/10/2002 • Foundation Stone by HRH Prince Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz: 20/10/2002 • UNESCO Experts Visit to KFUPM: 22-25/02/2003 • PASP Plan Finalized: 25/03/2003 • Schlumberger Contract Signed: 04/04/2003 • Project Awarded for Layout/Infrastructure Planning: 09/04/2003 • Marketing Campaign Launched: 15/04/2003 • Presentation to HH Prince Saud Al-Saud, Chairman SABIC: 26/04/2003 • Preliminary Report on Layout/Infrastructure finalized: 27/04/2003 • Look-ahead Plan 2004 • Action Plan 2004

20. Potential Tenants • UNESCO Experts visit • First Tenant in PASP (Schlumberger) • Potential Tenants • JCCP, Japan (currently working fulltime at KFUPM) • CIBA Chemicals, Switzerland • Other International Companies • Wipro, India • Idemitsu Kosan Company Ltd., Japan • Cytec Industries, B.V., The Netrherlands • Institute France Petrole (IFP), France • Membrana GmbH (a member of the ACORDIS Group), Germany • DevCorp International, Bahrain

21. Mega-Companies • Invitation letters sent to Saudi Aramco and SABIC for involvement and participation in PASP • Potential Advantages Cited • Availability of additional R&D laboratory space for expansion of R&D activities not covered in existing R&D facilities • Opportunity for company’s researchers with new and novel ideas to begin to exploit them in a separate atmosphere • Opportunity to come into direct contact with, and to evaluate, students who are potential new company’s employees.

22. Finally … • The KFUPM Science Park (PASP) is a strong statement of KFUPM’s determination to maintain its high standards in research, technological development and academic excellence • It is an initiative to couple the University’s research resources with the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, thereby creating a highly collaborative environment with vast potential for joint technological R&D • With the establishment of this science park, KFUPM moves forward into its fiftieth year with a far-reaching initiative that will be a dynamic catalyst for technological development and collaboration between the university and the industry