Lockheed Martin, the U.S.-based global technology leader, entered into an international master research agreement with Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz University (KAU). Both entities will focus on research and development initiatives to support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
H.E. Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Youbi, President of King Abdulaziz University, and Dr. Lawrence Schuette, Director of Global Science & Technology, Lockheed Martin Corporation, signed the agreement during a virtual ceremony with the participation of Joseph Rank, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia, Prof. Yusuf Alturki, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at KAU, and other officials.
The agreement provides a framework to support future projects, with an immediate focus on technology development in areas such as industrial engineering, additive manufacturing, and air vehicle research.
“King Abdulaziz University is committed to advancing innovation in engineering through technology-focused projects that support Saudi Vision 2030. Cooperating with leading technology companies such as Lockheed Martin will enable us to share expertise in the field of applied research and will provide us with unique opportunities to support the development of Saudi industrial capabilities,” said Dr. Al Youbi in comments during the ceremony.
“King Abdulaziz University is a leading university in the region, with internationally recognized faculty and advanced research capabilities. Lockheed Martin is extremely proud to support the Kingdom’s research and development efforts with KAU, and we look forward to expanding our engagement with Saudi scientists and engineers to advance the strategic priorities of the country,” added Dr. Schuette.
With 25 different research centers, King Abdulaziz University, based in Jeddah, is Saudi Arabia’s premier educational institution focusing on international outreach and collaboration in research and innovation.
As a leading security and aerospace company and supplier of advanced technologies, Lockheed Martin works with leading universities worldwide to sponsor and perform collaborative research for government customers.
Lockheed Martin has been a committed partner to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 1965. Today, the company’s presence has moved beyond defense systems to provide various products and services, technical support, and educational expertise to strengthen the Kingdom’s defense industry.
Lockheed Martin entered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the delivery of the first C-130 Hercules in 1965. Since then, the company has expanded its security portfolio in the Kingdom to include integrated air and missile defense systems and maritime and civilian applications, in addition to providing critical technical support and educational expertise to local industry partners.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
King Abdulaziz University carries the name of the establisher of Saudi Arabia - God bless him. The university was established in (1387h / 1967g) in Jeddah as a national university aiming at spreading higher education in the western area of Saudi Arabia. This dream has come true. The university started its first year in (1388h- 1968g) and directly the year after, the university inaugurated its first college, and became a government university in (1394h / 1974g) and further expanded in the numbers of students and colleges. KAU then established branches for several other universities.
The university witnessed much development in quality and quantity since it was established until it becomes one of the outstanding higher education institutions on the local and international level. KAU has achieved the 42nd position in the world and the first in the Arab world in the US News ranking of world universities for the year 2021, and the 143rd position in the world in the QS ranking.
