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The King Abdulaziz University actively strengthens international partnerships as a strategic driver for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 17.2, which focuses on enhancing global cooperation. The University adopts a results-oriented approach centered on genuine collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint development, ensuring tangible impact across education, research, and innovation.
The University has expanded its academic and research networks through agreements with leading global institutions and has established effective partnerships with international organizations working in education, health, and community development. KAU also engages in United Nations platforms and global initiatives, while providing expertise to national and regional entities through training programs, advisory support, and capacity-building efforts.
These efforts are closely aligned with the pillars of Saudi Vision 2030. Through its international collaborations, the University supports the “Vibrant Society, Thriving Economy, and Ambitious Nation” pillars by enhancing governance, promoting innovation, and contributing to economic diversification. KAU empowers national talent through global exposure, student exchange opportunities, and international training programs. Furthermore, its partnerships contribute to improving quality of life, strengthening community engagement, and advancing public health initiatives—key priorities within Vision 2030.
Through these integrated efforts, King Abdulaziz University’s international partnerships not only advance SDG 17.2, but also serve as a strategic enabler for achieving Vision 2030 by elevating research excellence, enhancing global competitiveness, and preparing students and society for a sustainable and prosperous future.
KAU's efforts in the field of relations in support of the Sustainable Development Goals
King Abdulaziz University is one of the leading educational institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it contributes significantly to supporting dialogue between governmental and non-governmental sectors to promote sustainable development goals. The university’s efforts include organizing conferences, forums, and academic events that bring together experts and practitioners from various sectors. The most prominent of these efforts are :
1. Conferences and Forums:
Securing the Future: The Role of Islamic Finance in Sustainable Development, Food Security, Water and Energy Management"
The First Scientific Forum on Intellectual Security and Countering Violent Extremism
2. Partnerships with different sectors
The university works to build partnerships with government agencies, such as the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defense, and with the private sector, such as Saudi Fox Company, Al-Batterjee Pharmaceutical Factory, and others, to support development projects. sustainable
3. Scientific research and studies
The university supports multiple scientific research related to sustainable development goals, such as poverty reduction, gender equality, and environmental protection .
Publishes studies on the impact of intersectoral cooperation on achieving sustainable development .
4. Workshops and training
The University organizes training workshops that bring together representatives from governmental and non-governmental sectors to enhance understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals and how to implement them on the ground .
5. Community Initiatives
The university seeks to implement local initiatives that contribute to achieving sustainable development goals, such as youth empowerment programs, environmental conservation, and supporting education in remote areas .
Sectors specialized in sustainable development
The university has established specialized bodies such as the Prince Turki Al-Faisal Chair for Sustainability , the Environment and Sustainable Development Expertise House, and the Sustainable Development Unit.
These efforts demonstrate King Abdulaziz University’s commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda at the local and international levels, and enhancing dialogue between various parties to achieve common goals .
Partnerships and Agreements at King Abdulaziz University
King Abdulaziz University places strategic emphasis on establishing robust local and international partnerships and agreements in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, with the objective of advancing scientific research, fostering innovation, and enhancing educational development. The University has entered into more than 205 international agreements and 122 service contracts, complemented by numerous memoranda of understanding and cooperation with globally recognized academic and research institutions. These collaborations facilitate knowledge exchange and the implementation of joint research initiatives in critical areas such as healthcare, renewable energy, and information technology. Furthermore, the University actively promotes student exchange and training programs, supports entrepreneurship through business incubators, and engages with the industrial sector to enable technology transfer and localization. Strategic partnerships also encompass agreements with leading global and domestic corporations in fields including artificial intelligence and water desalination, thereby reinforcing innovation and strengthening national capabilities. Through these efforts, King Abdulaziz University affirms its position as a premier research hub and a key contributor to sustainable development.
Some of King Abdulaziz University's partnerships with different sectors in 2024 to support sustainable development
1. Industrial Sector/Emerging Industries
• In September 2024, the university signed an agreement to establish an innovation factory with the Jeddah Valley Company (an investment arm of the university) to support emerging industrial projects. Goal: To link scientific research with advanced manufacturing, and to enable the development of prototypes of innovations from within university research. Numbers
This type of partnership reinforces SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), as it supports local manufacturing and innovation.
2. Government Sector - Energy
• The university has a grant initiative from the Ministry of Energy to support research projects in the field of energy, especially renewable energy.
These collaborations support SDG 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy) by encouraging research in renewable energy.
3. International Technology and Academic Sector
• The university builds partnerships with international and local research institutions in the fields of technology, health, engineering, and renewable energy.
Such partnerships promote SDG 9 (Innovation) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for Goals) because they bring together research expertise from multiple quarters to achieve societal impact.
4. Partnership with the Electric Vehicle Industry
• According to a recent report, there is a partnership between King Abdulaziz University and Lucid to qualify national cadres in the field of electric vehicles and advanced technology.
This partnership supports the transition to clean energy (SDG 7) and environmentally friendly technologies, as well as the localization of knowledge and technology.
5. Environmental Partnerships
• The Faculty of Environmental Sciences at the university has partnerships and agreements with various research institutions to study natural resources, air quality, water, and pollution.
These partnerships support goals such as SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
6. Strategic Partners and the Establishment of Research Centers
• Through the University Partnerships website, the university seeks to build joint research centers with local and international academic and industry entities.
These centers contribute to the promotion of research innovation and the practical application of ideas, and contribute to development goals such as SDG 9 and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
The First Forum for Social Responsibility
(Promotion and Sustainability)
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) organized today the first forum on social responsibility (promotion and sustainability), which aims to discuss and design the university's projects in the field of community service.
The forum discussed the basic concepts of social responsibility and sustainable development, the role of the university in promoting social responsibility, presenting experiences of community initiatives and designing successful social responsibility projects, in addition to announcing the university's President's Award for Community Service.
Social responsibility has become an essential element in the growth of societies based on the assumption of responsibilities that the Kingdom's Vision 2030 aims at through one of its main axes, "The Ambitious Nation", which is characterized by an effective government and responsible citizenship, with the aim of transforming into a high-performance government characterized by effectiveness and enabling citizens, the private sector and non-profit institutions to take the lead in exploring the opportunities available to achieve the goals of the vision..
17.2.1: SDG Policy Development with Government
King Abdulaziz University works to strengthen effective partnerships with government agencies and regional NGOs to support the implementation of sustainable development policies and goals, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
The university has established strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the Ministry of Energy in the preparation and implementation of national projects concerned with renewable energy, water, and climate change. It has also participated with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in developing digital solutions that contribute to supporting sustainability and digital transformation.
17.2.2: Cross-sectoral Dialogue about SDGs with Government or NGOs
KAU initiates and participates in cross-sectoral dialogue, seminars and conferences, about the SDGs, along with the government representatives and NGOs.
17.2.3: International Collaboration to Capture Data Relating to SDGs
KAU is expanding its international collaborations, to benefit from the experience of well-known universities and organizations, to capture and measure SDGs-related data.
17.2.4: Collaborate Internationally to Develop Best Practice on Tackling SDGs
KAU is benefitting from its international collaborations and research, to study existing SDGs' approaches, and customize them, to contribute to SDGs' best practices development.
17.2.5: Collaboration Programs with NGOs to tackle SDGs
KAU established several local collaboration programs with NGOs and local organizations to support the SDGs through research programmes, educational activities, and student volunteering events.
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