Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, on Wednesday, March 18, 1442 AH, launched the first phase of the research strategy and signed research projects funded by the Ministry of Education initiative, at the main foyer of the university city. The university signed 11 research projects as part of the initiative to support scientific research and development in universities, launched by the Ministry, represented by the Vice Presidency for Research and Innovation, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
The initiative launched by the Ministry of Education aims to support and develop the scientific research and development system in the Kingdom's universities. His Excellency inaugurated the initiative in the presence of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Al-Othaib, the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Ahmad Al-Turki, and the Vice President for Planning, Development, and Quality, Prof. Khalid Al-Harbi. The inauguration activities included a review of the development of scientific publishing at the university from 2016 to the present.
In his speech following the launch of the initiative, His Excellency the University President explained that the Kingdom's Vision 2030 continuously supports education, scientific research, and innovation. He appreciated the efforts of the Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research in presenting projects and initiatives as required. He also expressed thanks and appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research for the leaps achieved in the publication process, expressing his aspirations for the university to reach the highest levels, God willing, and through the efforts of colleagues.
Al-Dawood said: "I congratulate everyone on what we have achieved, and we aspire for more. I emphasize and hope that these research efforts do not remain solely on paper. Instead, we will try to reflect the results of this research in reality and collaborate with the private sector to implement some of its findings, turning them into products that benefit society. I ask God for success and guidance for all colleagues for their diligent efforts in scientific research.".
Next, the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Turki, spoke, emphasizing that the university has made great efforts in supporting and backing the scientific research system, and it remains for researchers in the various colleges to strive as much as they can to produce distinguished research. He pointed out that the university formed a team of some colleagues about eight months ago to develop a strategic plan through holding a number of workshops, interviews, and surveys in most colleges. After three months of continuous work, this team presented an integrated strategic plan to the Ministry of Education, which was studied and approved with an average score of 3.5 out of 4.
Al-Turki explained that the research to be carried out under this initiative has specific characteristics that led to its acceptance. These characteristics include distinguished scientific publication in ranked journals, which is a condition for proposal acceptance, and that this research yields effective and beneficial results, such as contributing to improving the quality of life, enhancing plant or animal quality, or concluding with a product that can be developed and improved, and being part of the knowledge economy that supports the national economy. Four priorities were identified, and from each priority, projects were selected, numbering 11 research projects after arbitration.
The Dean of the Deanship of Scientific Research, Dr. Mansour Al-Shareeda, reviewed the Institutional Research and Innovation Funding Program initiative, which aims to improve human health and quality of life, enhance research output and its contribution to the knowledge economy, as well as benefit from the region's natural resources, empower research groups, and strengthen local and international collaborative partnerships. He noted that the strategic research priorities aim to support sustainable research in agricultural and veterinary sciences, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, sustainable development in the energy, water, and environmental engineering sectors, and control of common infectious diseases.
On his part, the Vice President of the University for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Turki, signed 11 research papers alongside: Dr. Ayman Omar Faisal, with research titled "Development of local microbial bio-fertilizers and their use in sustainable crop production"; Dr. Ahmed Mostafa Hussein Ali, with research titled "Control of common reproductive diseases in camels"; Dr. Hani Abdulaziz Al-Faheed, with research titled "Innovation of a nutritional supplement made from high-quality dates produced in the farms of the Qassim region and assessing its effect on health"; Dr. Fahd Mohammed Al-Mandrij, with research titled "Commercial production of promising products from date-based industries"; and Dr. Ahmed Abdelfattah Hafez, with research titled "Formulation of nanoparticles for active targeting of cancer cells.".
Al-Turki, along with Dr. Hamadoun Abdul Hamid Hamadoun, presented a research paper titled "Herbal and Natural Products Candidates for Cancer Treatment from Desert and Saline Plants in the Qassim Region." Dr. Suleiman Abdulaziz Al-Yahya presented research titled "Autothermal Pyrolysis for Converting Sugary Date Palm Waste into Valuable Products." Dr. Muhannad Ali Al-Arj presented research titled "The Impact of Atmospheric and Climatic Factors on Electricity Generation Using Photovoltaic Cells in the Qassim Region." Dr. Musa'ed Ahmed Al-Dhubaib presented research titled "Zoonotic Brucellosis: Rapid Techniques for Early Diagnosis and the Use of Nanoparticles as an Alternative Treatment Method." Dr. Osama Mohammed Al-Ruqai'i presented research titled "The Antibiotic Property of Catheters Coated with Silver Nanoparticles to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections.".
