First Priority: Sustainable and value chain research in agricultural and veterinary sciences

This priority addresses the sustainability of agricultural and animal health. It includes a number of research activities that represent the competitive advantages of Qassim region, meet the needs of the local community, are in line with the university’s research capabilities, and are innovative. Research activities under this priority deal with many topics such as industrial transfer of dates, recycling of date palm waste to valuable products, production of biofertilizers and biocontrol agents, and the development of local strains of broiler and laying hens. It also involves camel heath and production. Other important topics will be covered such as mass production of natural enemies to eliminate the effect of destructive pests and reduce the use of harmful chemical pesticides. It is also concerned with finding effective ways to rationalize irrigation water and conserve water resources. It is expected that these research activities will lead to effective and important sustainable products in agriculture and food. These products will be developed in partnership with specialized factories inside and outside the Kingdom and the overall objective is to improve public health, raise the economy, preserve the environment and create jobs.

Priority’s activities:

• Agricultural Production Systems and Rural Economics
• Food Production and Nutritional Health
• Animal Health and Production
• Agricultural Biotechnology

Second Priority: Health and biomedical science for better health care

Improved health and well-being of the people is the ultimate goal in research globally. This societal aspect is an important and traditional characteristic of Saudi Arabia’s research and its emphasis and orientation toward humanitarian goals. In addition, health contributes to economic prosperity. Research underpins every step in the innovation cycle, from discovery in bench and bedside research to implementation in healthcare and prevention. It is part of a vision of science and knowledge in a participative society.

Both infectious and non-infectious diseases are globally patterned. Infectious disease’s global spread is related to increased mobility, both in the short-term and long-term, and too short and long-distance migrations. Changes in lifestyle, demographics, and environment are leading to changing patterns of non-infectious disease globally.

Research and innovation have advanced medical diagnostics, therapeutics, and technology in many fields, with a major impact on both life expectancy and healthy life. Society gains economically from these additional years of good health and productivity. Innovation in biomedical and health research can create new companies and jobs, boosting the economy.

Preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health are best achieved through the integrated and organized efforts of research and society at all levels. This requires not only national action but intensified cooperation at Gulf countries and global levels.

Priority’s activities:

• Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
• Management of common Infectious Diseases
• Innovative Biotechnology and nanotechnology for a healthy life
• Public health and human wellness

Third Priority: Sustainable Developments in the Energy, Water, and Environment Sectors

The main motivation of this priority is to promote and support Saudi economy through investigating, localizing, and developing properly selected advanced technologies in the energy, water, and environmental sectors in a sustainable way. Energy and water systems have often been treated as a separate system over the entire pathway from production to consumption. However, their close interdependence requires some perspective of the water-energy nexus, especially in regions with very high water stresses combined with a myriad of rapid changes in resource production and consumption. Sustainable technologies are particularly important in the Kingdom, where wastewater, municipal and construction wastes, and air pollution are posing serious threats to natural resources and have led to significant environmental implications. To meet the sustainability objectives of Saudi 2030 vision, the aim of sustainable development in the energy, water, and environment sectors is to conserve our limited available resources, protect the environment, and maintain a high quality of life within the Kingdom. Although basic research may be included as part of sustainable technology development processes, this priority will not undertake free standing basic or fundamental research in these areas. The scope does not include the development of rules and/or standards. For implementation, the priority will concentrate on areas of applications and projects that lead to technology localization, transfer, and development through efficient utilization of available skills and resources.

Priority’s activities:

• Natural Resources Protection and Conservation
• Water Treatment and Management
• Renewable Energy Challenges and Opportunities

Fourth Priority: Innovative Technology solutions for a more livable future

With the world's population expanding, particularly in cities, there is a growing interest in integrating technology and innovations to manage limited resources. Urbanization is a worldwide trend, with 48% of Asians and 73% of Europeans living in cities. This situation is critical for Saudi Arabia, where 83.8 percent of the population (34.5 million) lives in cities. Moreover, the world is now digitally linked and communicates to conduct various jobs. Consequently, many governments, cultures, and nations are adopting digital transformation to build a more efficient and livable future for all inhabitants. As one of the world's nations are adopting digital transformation to build a more efficient and livable future for all inhabitants. As one of the world's prominent economic actors, Saudi Arabia's 2030 agenda includes digital transformation and developing our cities. This digital transformation targets all Saudi Arabian public and private sectors to have three Saudi cities recognized in the top-ranked 100 cities globally. Therefore, Qassim university utilizes its research capability to contribute to safe and secure digital transformation. Not only that, it aims to meet the needs and requirements of our community by providing innovative technology solutions for smart city applications, healthcare, agriculture, and Industry 4.0.

Priority’s activities:

• Cybersecurity Solutions for Protecting Digital Infrastructure and Services
• Sustainable Engineering Techniques for Smart City Applications
• Innovative Agriculture Solutions for Smart & Sustainable Farming
• Technology-Driven Healthcare
• Technology Solutions to Promote Industry 4.0 Revolution

Fifth Priority: Advanced material sciences and Applications

The field of materials sciences and applications are the backbone of the advancement and development of all nowadays life sectors. The advances in automotive, aerospace, defense, medical, pharmaceutical, smart devices, electronics instrumentation, communication technology, and many other sectors correlate directly to the advancement in materials sciences and applications. The advances in production methods, techniques of characterization, and assessment of advanced materials would contribute to performing the objectives and strategies of Kingdom Vision 2030. The current research priority aims to provide the facilities and knowledge for research and innovation in advanced materials manufacturing, characterization, and applications. This priority covers five main activities: nanomaterial synthesis and applications; advanced functional materials; advanced structural materials; biomaterials and applications; and waste management and conversion into valuable materials. The R&D in this priority serves several applications in engineering, sciences, medical, pharmaceutical, healthcare, agriculture, and other sectors such as telecommunications, power, and energy; information technology, artificial intelligence, automotive, spaces, and defense. The outcomes of this priority will display added values and benefits to the industrial, commercial, educational, economic, environmental, energy-saving/production, and healthcare sectors.

Priority’s activities:

• Nanomaterial Synthesis and Applications
• Advanced Functional Materials
• Advanced Structural materials
• Biomaterials and Applications
• Waste management and conversion into valuable products/materials