King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology (KACST) is an independent scientific organization of the Saudi Arabian Government. It coordinates and cooperates with various universities, agencies and institutions concerned with research and technology, and encourages Saudi experts to undertake research that will help promote the development and evolution of the country.
History
KACST was established in 1977 under the name of Saudi Arabian National Center for Science ý& Technology (SANCST) and later in 1985 renamed as ′King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology (KACST). The cooperative research programs it undertook in the past have successfully completed several solar energy research projects, the establishment of a Saudi Center for Remote Sensing, the establishment of national observatory and an aquaculture research station and other projects. KACST has established several national research institutes. Among the institutes are the Institute for Petroleum and Petrochemicals Research, the Institute of Energy Research, the Institute of Natural Resources and Environmental Research, the Institute of Arid Lands Research, the Institute of Astronomy and the Institute of Atomic Energy Research.
Constitutional Framework
KACST is governed by a Supreme Committee, which is chaired by the Prime Minister (the King) and is composed of the ministers of the major ministries to which science and technology are of greatest relevance as follows:
-Prime Minister (Chairman)
-Deputy Prime Minister (Vice Chairman)
-Minister of Defense & Aviation & Inspector General (Member)
-Minister of Interior (Member)
-Minister of Higher Education (Member)
-Minister of Agriculture & Water (Member)
-Minister of Industry & Electricity (Member)
-Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources (Member)
-Minister of Planning (Member)
-Minister of Finance & National Economy (Member)
-Head of General Intelligence (Member)
-President of KACST (Member)
In addition, the Prime Minister nominates three other members.
(last updated: 02-September-2003)
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Saudi Arabia \ Research Centers \ King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
