Chief guest Dr. Nassar M. Shaikh presents a memento to Prof. Halim Hamid Redhwi, the keynote speaker. Faiz Al-Najdi Saudi Gazette ALKHOBAR — A technical seminar, entitled “Strategic Venue for Knowledge Creation," was held under the aegis of the Institution of Engineers Pakistan, Eastern Province (IEP-EP) at Dhahran International Hotel, Al-Khobar, over the weekend. The seminar was attended by a large gathering of engineers, scientists, business executives and academics from Dammam, Jubail, Ras Tanura and Bahrain as well. Prof. Halim Hamid Redhwi, Vice President of Dhahran Techno Valley Company (DTVC), KFUPM, was the keynote speaker while Prof. Nassar M. Shaikh, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU), Al-Khobar, was the chief guest. A detailed presentation on Dhahran Techno Valley was given by Redhwi who is a graduate of Dawood College of Engineering, Pakistan. He has authored three books, which are being published in the US. He also co-authored more than 120 technical papers. His presentation mainly focused on the introduction, objectives, development, working, present achievements, future plans, goals and missions of Dhahran Techno Valley Company. Redhwi said the rector of KFUPM had given him the challenging task of designing and developing a science park in KFUPM with the objective of having collaborative R&D programs with the international petroleum and mineral companies. He added that this science park is to be developed in line with those present at various leading Western universities. The science park was established in 2001 based on the model of a British University under the patronage of UNESCO and Saudi Aramco. In 2003, it was renamed as King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Science Park. In 2006, Dhahran Techno Valley Company was incorporated as the only company in Saudi Arabia working in collaboration with a university dedicated to developing R&D culture in the Kingdom, Redhwi said. According to him, the need for such a R&D unit in Saudi Arabia was crucial to spur economic growth, especially because the country's oil resources may deplete in the future. Redhwi said DTVC has been designed as a corporate organization working as the link between KFUPM and international companies. “The main objectives of DTVC is the integral development of Saudi Arabia's ecosystem by building a community for technology development and align the R&D agenda of KFUPM, the science park and industry players and to drive the knowledge economy in the country," he added. At present DTVC has been allotted about 770,000 square meters of land. Construction has already taken place or is under way on 80 percent of the land. Redhwi urged international companies to join hands with DTVC to enhance the knowledge creation, R&D and technological development inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Rizwan Ahmed, Chairman of IEP SAC, EP, enlightened the audience with regard to various achievements accomplished by Prof. Shaikh, the chief guest. Shaikh, in his address, appreciated the activities of IEP in promoting the technical activities and especially appreciated the role of the Pakistani engineers toward the development of Saudi Arabia. “The IEP is playing a very important role in knowledge sharing and technological advancements through seminars, conferences and communities in different fields of engineering," he added. Earlier, Col. Mustafa, an official of IEP SAC, EP briefed the audience about the activities of the Institution of Engineers Pakistan, Saudi Arabian Center, Eastern Province (IEP SAC, EP) along with IEP's collaborative works with other international organizations. At the end of the seminar, commemoratory shields were presented to the keynote speaker and the chief guest. Certificates were also presented to the participants. Rizwan Ahmed gave a vote of thanks. The seminar concluded with a sumptuous dinner.
