Policy development for clean energy technology

The university, represented by the College of Engineering, held an international conference titled «Solar Energy Prospects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Applications and Challenges,» today, Wednesday, corresponding to 24/4/1442 AH, and it will continue for two days. The conference is under the patronage and attendance of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Qassim Region, and with the participation of a number of academics and researchers in solar energy applications and industry experts from inside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Following the opening of the conference activities, His Highness the Governor of Qassim honored the scientific and organizational committees that participated in preparing for this international conference. His Highness also watched a presentation by the Student Club of some graduation projects by engineering students specializing in solar energy, in addition to a video about the importance, goals, and themes of this conference, which seeks to exchange expertise in the field of solar energy, address the most prominent challenges facing this field, and reach results and solutions to confront and overcome these challenges.
In his opening remarks at the conference, His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of Qassim University, welcomed His Highness the Governor of the region, thanking him for his presence and patronage of this important scientific occasion. He also welcomed the participants in this international conference and all attendees, noting the great interest of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them both – in supporting the national economy within Saudi Vision 2030, reducing reliance on oil, supporting the shift towards sustainable clean energy sources, and raising awareness of the importance of solar energy as it represents an abundant source of renewable energy in Saudi Arabia.
The university president explained that the idea of organizing this conference stemmed from this noble principle, and from the university’s vision and mission to serve society and scientific research, and to achieve sustainable development. This will be done by hosting a number of senior academics, researchers, industry experts, and investors in the field of renewable energy and solar energy applications, both inside and outside the Kingdom, in order to exchange expertise in this field. He pointed out that research into enhancing ways to benefit from solar energy and develop its technologies contributes to achieving the goals of our Kingdom’s vision of diversifying the economy currently based on oil, transforming the Kingdom from a leading oil exporting country to a country that exports sustainable energy, of which solar energy is one of its most prominent and important sources.
At the end of his speech, His Excellency the President of the University thanked all participants and attendees, foremost among them His Highness the Emir of the region. He also thanked the organizing committees, the strategic partner of the conference, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, and the sponsors. He prayed to God Almighty to guide the conference participants towards what is good for our generous homeland, and to preserve our country and our leaders, and to bestow upon us lasting health, safety, and stability.
Dr. Meshal Al-Mushaiqeh, Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the conference and Dean of the College of Engineering, emphasized in his speech that this conference stems from the university’s vision and mission, and from the awareness of its affiliates of the importance of holding such conferences in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The aim is to support the national economy, reduce dependence on oil, and create awareness of the importance of solar energy as an abundant source of renewable energy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He pointed out that the conference covers all aspects of the current situation and developments in solar energy technologies and applications, and focuses on the use of solar energy engineering in various applications within academic, governmental, and industrial circles in the Kingdom.
He added that the conference also aims to contribute to transforming the Kingdom from a leading oil exporting country to a sustainable energy exporting country. Over two days, it will discuss and analyze 41 scientific papers in 10 scientific sessions, during which participants and researchers will present the latest advancements in modern science in the field of solar energy according to the conference’s seven themes. He clarified that the conference will be accompanied by a virtual exhibition where 16 researchers will showcase the results of their scientific research, and an exhibition on the College of Engineering and its capabilities in the field of sustainable energy.
The Dean of the College of Engineering pointed out that the esteemed President of the University has issued a decision to form the scientific committee for the conference with the participation of a group of faculty members in the field of renewable energy at the College of Engineering. This committee has held more than 21 meetings, and 198 research abstracts have been received from 16 different countries. He noted that the university, based on its role as a beacon of knowledge and in fulfillment of its vision and mission to serve researchers, academics, and the community, has decided to hold the conference virtually to comply with precautionary and preventive measures. The university has established a virtual platform that simulates Qassim University and its buildings to enable academics and researchers to attend and participate in the conference activities as if they were physically present at the university’s main building, the university theater, and the venues for scientific paper presentations. Virtual halls have also been created to allow attendees to communicate and exchange scientific experiences with experts and researchers from several countries.