Saudi Arabia, November 9, 2023 — Representatives from member countries of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) visited King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to gain insights into the university's aquaculture expertise in the context of the IsDB Technology Deployment Cooperation Program (TDCP).

The IsDB funded a three-day familiarization visit, hosted by KAUST, in collaboration with Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) and Innovative Contractors for Advanced Dimensions (ICAD) to introduce KAUST aquaculture technology to eight government representatives from Morocco, Mali, Burkina Faso and Egypt. The visit began on November 5^th, 2023 and involved tours of aquaculture facilities in the Kingdom, providing opportunities for knowledge exchange and cooperation.

The visit  aimed to accelerate the enhancement of aquaculture capabilities in countries across North and West Africa, and introduced KAUST as a trusted partner in the development of aquaculture infrastructure for application in the representatives’ respective countries, for potential financing from the IsDB, with ICAD as a technology deployment partner, and aims to accelerate the enhancement of aquaculture capabilities in countries across North and West Africa.

Prior to the visit, the IsDB-KAUST team comprising:  Drs. Hadi Zulfiqar and Riddhi Shukla from KAUST Technology Transfer Office, Syed Hassan Alsagoff, manager and Isatou Cham lead specialist, from Science Technology and Innovation Division of the Cooperation and Capacity Development Department at IsDB, as well as Dr. Asaad Mohamed, Aquaculture program director at KAUST Beacon Development, held several online meetings with IsDB regional hubs and relevant institutions in member countries to present the university’s aquaculture capabilities, alongside the  MEWA.

According to Riad Ragueb Ahmed, director of Cooperation and Capacity Development for IsDB, “The IsDB Technology Deployment Cooperation Program aims to accelerate the deployment of proven and cost-effective technologies for member countries. The partnership with KAUST under TDCP will enable countries to have access to ground-breaking solutions in a number of areas including aquaculture.”

Mohamed Amine Mansouri, Agence Nationale pour le Développement de l'Aquaculture (ANDA), Morocco, said: “Morocco looks forward to being part of the IsDB Technology Deployment Cooperation Program through the ‘Making Aquaculture Work for Market and Social Inclusiveness’ Project. The demonstration visit to KAUST will enable us to harness innovative technologies to further develop greater value from aquaculture.”

About Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group

Rated AAA by the major rating agencies of the world, the Islamic Development Bank is the premier multilateral development bank of the Global South that has been working for nearly 50 years to improve the lives of the communities it serves by delivering impact at scale. The Bank brings together 57-Member Countries across four continents, touching the lives of 1 in 5 of the world population. Its mission is to equip people to drive their own economic and social progress at scale, putting the infrastructure in place enabling them to fulfill their potential. Headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, IsDB has regional hubs and centers of excellence in 11 of its Member Countries.  Over the years, the Bank has evolved from a single entity into a group comprising five entities: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) tasked with research and training, the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment, and Export Credit (ICIEC), the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). https://www.isdb.org/

About KAUST

Established in 2009, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate research university devoted to finding solutions for some of the most pressing scientific and technological challenges in the world as well as Saudi Arabia in the areas of food and health, water, energy, environment and the digital domain. KAUST is a curiosity-driven, interdisciplinary problem-solving environment, with state-of-the-art labs, distinguished faculty and talented students. 

KAUST brings together the best minds from around the world to advance research. More than 120 different nationalities live, work and study on campus. KAUST is also a catalyst for innovation, economic development and social prosperity, with research resulting in novel patents and products, enterprising startups, regional and global initiatives, and collaboration with other academic institutions, industries and Saudi agencies.

For additional information, visit www.kaust.edu.sa.

About Innovative Contractors for Advanced Dimensions (ICAD)

ICAD, a global technology leader, specializes in large-scale infrastructure and technology solutions. With a strong focus on innovation and collaboration, ICAD is a trusted partner for governmental and non-governmental clients. Our multidisciplinary approach covers various sectors, including airports, transportation, healthcare, government, stadiums, education, and more. We excel in Technology Integration and Defense and Security Systems offering a wide range of cutting-edge solutions. ICAD's world-class technology services extend to a diverse range of facilities and industries, from transportation to maritime. Our technology offerings encompass ICT, IoT, security, automation, and more. ICAD has an impressive track record, having completed over 400 projects for 100+ clients worldwide in the Government, Semi-Government, and Private sectors.