King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST;
Arabic: مدينة الملك عبدالعزيز للعلوم والتقنية) in
Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia is a governmental organization established in 1977 as the Saudi Arabian National Center for Science & Technology (SANCST); in 1985, it was renamed King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
History
In 1977, the Saudi Arabian National Center for Science and Technology (SANCST) was established, with Prof.
Rida M.S. Obaid being the president. This center was created as an independent scientific organization that is responsible for the promotion of science and technology in Saudi Arabia. However, the name was later changed to King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). In 1987, KACST has joined the
International Council for Science (ICSU) as a National Member.[1]
Advanced Sensors & Electronics Defense (ASED) Center
Center for Complex Engineering System - CCES (Working with
MIT)
Programs
KACST is now working in the following programs:[6]
National Satellite Technology Program
National ECP Program
National Program for Advanced Materials and Building Systems
National Program for Automobile Technology
Aviation Technology National Program
Projects
The National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan
The National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan (NSTIP) is a collaboration between the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the
Ministry of Economy and Planning. This program was approved by the Council of Ministers in 2002. This program has fifteen strategic technologies that will help the future development of Saudi Arabia.[7]
King Abdullah's Initiative for Arabic Content [
ar] is a project that aims to provide high-quality Arabic contents in all disciplines. To achieve this goal, KACST started to work with the local and international organizations. For example:
Nature Arabic Edition: KACST has collaborated with the
Macmillan Publishers to translate Nature journal into Arabic. The print issues are freely available to qualified subscribers.[9] Also, the contents of this journal will be available online for free.[10]
Wiki Arabi (
Arabic: ويكي عربي): This is another project initiated by King Abdullah's Initiative for Arabic Content. This project aims to improve the content of the
Arabic Wikipedia by translating the high-quality articles from other languages of Wikipedia such as
English,
French and
Hebrew Wikipedia. The first Wiki Arabi event was in 2010, where over 2000 articles were translated into Arabic.[11] The second Wiki Arabi was in 2012.[12]
In 1988, KACST starts planning to develop
nuclear technology in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, KACST decided to open the Atomic Energy Research Institute (AERI). This Institute will help Saudi Arabia to develop the
nuclear power along with King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy.[13] The AERI has four different departments: Radiation Protection Department, Industrial Applications, Nuclear Reactors and Safety, and a Materials Department[14]
In 2006, KACST signed a collaboration agreement with
CERN to participate in the construction of
LINAC4 project. KACST engineers constructed a warm prototype of it. This prototype was then qualified at CERN. And now, KACST is working build up a
high-energy physics community to participate in future CERN programs.[15][16]
On September 30, 2008, KACST funded the science team of Gravity Probe B, helping them to complete the project.
In 2012, KACST announced the first
electrostatic accelerator in Saudi Arabia. This accelerator has been designed by the National Center of Mathematics and Physics.[17]
In April 2013, KACST announced the creation of
WaferCatalyst, which is a
Multi-project Wafer (MPW) consolidation initiative, which aims to promote
Integrated circuit design and related technologies in Saudi Arabia and surrounding regions.
Information Technology Unit (ITU)
Information Technology requirements for research center and city staff is fulfilled by the ITU section situated in building No. 1.[citation needed]
Internet proxy for Saudi Arabia
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology operates the
Internet backbone in Saudi Arabia as well as the local registry address space. According to
RIPE, "all Saudi Arabia web traffic will come from [the] IP block" registered to KACST.[18]