KFUPM Science Park (PASP):

A New Era for SustainableTechnology Based

Development

Sadiq M. Sait(0n behalf of PASP Project

Committee)

8th January 2004

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Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

Part I: A Brief Overview about Science Parks Part II: Plan of PASP Part III: Progress, Status & Discussion

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

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What Are Science Parks?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

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Benefits from the ParkBenefits 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

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What is an Incubator?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

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Part II: Conceptual Plan of Part II: Conceptual Plan of PASPPASP

The Vision The Mission Goals/Objectives Benefits to KFUPM Benefits to Tenants Success Factors

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VisionVision

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

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MissionMission

• 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.

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Goals/ObjectivesGoals/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

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What is in their for KFUPMWhat 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

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Other Benefits to KFUPMOther 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)

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Benefits to Tenant FirmsBenefits 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

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Other Joint ActivitiesOther 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

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Critical Success Factors Critical Success Factors Factors that can greatly impact the

development and growth are:1. Planning, leadership, commitment and involvement of all

concerned parties for effective implementation of the plan2. 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)

3. Close interaction between the tenant firms and the university (openness)

4. A clear management structure with a Park Manager appointed at an early stage

5. Preference to companies in the general strengths of the university

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Part III: Part III: Progress/StatusProgress/Status

1. Some Facts2. What to Expect?3. Consultants (UNESCO, British Council,

etc.,), Tenants, and MegaCompanies4. LookAhead Plan, Action Plan

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Some Facts Some Facts

1. Despite the considerable benefits, genuine collaboration is difficult to achieve

2. Many parks are prestigious real-estate 3. We do not want to degenerate into a

business park4. We are working on attracting

organizations capable of 'forming any useful association with the University’

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What to Expect?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

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Chronology of EventsChronology 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

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Potential Tenants 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

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Mega-CompaniesMega-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.

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Finally …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