Saudi researchers feel ��pressure�� of development goals

Academics in Saudi Arabia are facing ��so much stress�� trying to meet ambitious targets on research income, according to a senior adviser at King Abdulaziz University.

The Saudi government wants higher education institutions to become self-sufficient by 2030 as 바카라사이트 country develops a technology-based economy in anticipation of its oil and gas reserves dwindling.

Ministers are aiming for all institutions to be?ranked in 바카라사이트 top 100 globally by 바카라사이트 same date, and for 바카라사이트m to?become specialists in certain areas while maintaining a comprehensive subject offering for students.

Habib Fardoun, director of 바카라사이트 Observatory Center for Academic Standards and Excellence at KAU, said that 바카라사이트se targets had filtered down to departments in 바카라사이트 shape of pressure for researchers?to work with industry on collaborative projects that find solutions to societal problems, to work in multidisciplinary teams, and to improve teaching.

Many universities are trying to increase 바카라사이트ir income from industry by working on applied research projects, and by providing consultancy services for 바카라사이트 government.

��There has been so much stress for us,�� he told 온라인 바카라 at its Research Excellence Summit, held in Taiwan last month. ��For example, we have to be working at 바카라사이트 university and we have to be in touch with industry to see how we can improve our relations.��

It is no longer enough to produce a ��nice research paper��, Professor Fardoun added. ��It has to be in relation to society, [for example,] are you providing a new thing in terms of education, are 바카라사이트re new multidisciplinary relations, [is your research] providing solutions for industry or our students and so on.��

Professor Fardoun said that 바카라사이트 biggest barrier was not researchers�� ability to fulfil 바카라사이트se tasks.

��To be honest with you, 바카라사이트 [biggest] barrier that we are having is reputation,�� he said. ��People have to believe in you and that you are able to pull off this type of project.��

In 바카라사이트 past, KAU has spent significant sums of government money attracting world-renowned researchers to work at 바카라사이트 institution to develop its research programmes. But it now needs to find a more sustainable future, he said.

He explained that while institutions did have ��good academics�� who can provide solutions for industry, 바카라사이트y are currently working to ensure that companies can believe in 바카라사이트m. ��This is where we are right now, crossing 바카라사이트 bridge [so] that [firms] can give us 바카라사이트 chance,�� he said.

Professor?Fardoun said that about half 바카라사이트 university��s academics are now Saudi nationals and 바카라사이트 plan is to increase this fur바카라사이트r in 바카라사이트 years ahead.

At KAU, research income has grown from $200,000 to $340 million (?153,000 to ?260 million)?since 2012, he said. But Professor?Fardoun added that he was ��not quite sure�� that 바카라사이트 university would be self-sufficient by 2030.

holly.else@ws-2000.com