SDG 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Research and Development (R&D) at Al Maarefa University

Al Maarefa University has made significant strides in research output and innovation, reflecting a strong institutional investment in R&D:

Research Publications

The university’s faculty and researchers have published a high volume of scientific papers. As of May 2025, official statistics show 2,119 publications indexed in Web of Science and 2,027 in Scopus, indicating intensive research activity and quality output [1]. This marks a rapid growth compared to earlier years – for example, only 56 papers were published in 2020, rising to 175 in 2021 and 491 in 2022 [2]. The Deanship of Scientific Research integrates research with academic programs and supports publication in top journals [2], driving this upward trajectory.

Innovation and Patents

Al Maarefa emphasizes not just publications but also tangible innovation. In recent years, the university recorded more than 23 new inventions, ranging from prototypes to applied technologies [1]. Several of these innovations have secured international patents via WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), underscoring their novelty and global relevance [1]. Notable examples include smart medical devices to reduce surgical intervention, AI-driven vital sign monitoring systems, and targeted drug-delivery mechanisms for cancer treatment [1]. Such accomplishments demonstrate the university’s commitment to translating research into practical industrial and healthcare solutions.

Research Awards and Recognition

The quality of Al Maarefa’s research is evidenced by prestigious awards. For instance, Dr. Mohammad Ghneim, a researcher at Al Maarefa, won the Silver Medal at the Geneva International Inventions Expo 2025 for developing an innovative Parkinson’s disease therapy [1]. This invention also earned a WIPO patent, highlighting international recognition of the university’s R&D efforts. Additionally, student innovators are excelling: a recent graduate of the College of Medicine won a Silver Medal at the ITE 2025 international innovation fair in London for an outstanding invention [3]. These accolades reflect a culture of research excellence and innovation nurtured on campus.

Research Funding and Support

The university has established structures to sustain research. The Deanship of Scientific Research offers internal research grants, publication support, and rewards for excellence in research [2]. A Research Support Program provides funding for faculty and student projects, conference participation, and even incentives for student publications. This institutional backing has created a “research-friendly environment” with all necessary resources for staff and students to excel [2]. Such investments ensure continuous improvement in research output and alignment with national sustainable development priorities [2].

New Research Initiatives

Al Maarefa is expanding its research infrastructure and outlets. The university has begun establishing a central research laboratory meeting ISO 17025 international quality standards, to serve as a hub for advanced testing and experimentation [2]. It is also developing specialized Research Chairs focusing on national priority areas [2]. In 2025, Al Maarefa launched its own peer-reviewed journal – Advanced Health Science and Technology Journal – in partnership with global publisher Wolters Kluwer, to disseminate research findings globally [4]. This step demonstrates Al Maarefa’s commitment to strengthening research dissemination and contributing knowledge to industry and academia [4].

Industry Partnerships and Collaborations

Al Maarefa University actively engages with industry and government sectors through formal partnerships that enhance practical learning, joint innovation, and knowledge exchange. These collaborations connect academic research with real-world industrial applications:

Strategic Training Partnership

In July 2025, Al Maarefa signed a strategic cooperation with “Future Vision” company to launch one of Saudi Arabia’s largest digital training projects [5]. Valued at SAR 200 million, this program will train 50,000 beneficiaries over three years in various professional fields [5]. The partnership delivers specialized diplomas and programs (in leadership, human resources, digital marketing, IT transformation, healthcare quality, medical coding, etc.) to build national human capital in line with labor market needs [5]. Under this agreement, Al Maarefa exclusively offers these programs in the Kingdom, ensuring they meet academic quality standards [5]. The university’s President noted this collaboration as “an important step to expand our educational and training services and support national development through high-quality programs aligned with market needs” [5]. This venture exemplifies how Al Maarefa partners with industry to deliver large-scale upskilling initiatives that foster inclusive industrial growth.

Financial Technology (FinTech) and Digital Innovation

Al Maarefa University signed an MoU with the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) in October 2025 to collaborate on financial technology, digital transformation, and institutional innovation [6]. This framework agreement focuses on joint research projects in fintech, co-organizing workshops and events, and sharing expertise between academia and the financial regulatory sector [6]. The goal is to build capacity for a technologically advanced financial environment supporting Vision 2030 [6]. The university’s president emphasized that this partnership extends Al Maarefa’s role in bridging academia with industry regulators, empowering Saudi talent and accelerating innovation in the finance industry [6].

Healthcare Industry Collaborations

Given its strong health sciences programs, Al Maarefa has forged partnerships with leading organizations in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors. For example, during the Global Health Forum 2025, Al Maarefa University signed a cooperation agreement with Al Hammadi Hospital Group, a major private hospital network [7]. This collaboration covers educational and clinical training, joint research projects, and community health initiatives [7], creating pathways for students to intern and train in hospital settings and for faculty to work on applied medical research. Additionally, the university has partnered with pharmaceutical companies: it inked an MoU with the Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries & Medical Appliances Corporation (SPIMACO) to enhance cooperation in pharmacy education, training services, and research – integrating academia with pharmaceutical industry needs (as announced at Global Health Forum 2025) [7]. Another agreement was signed with Al-Jazira Pharmaceutical Industries (“Hikma”) to develop research and academic cooperation in drug development (per university news reports). These alliances ensure that curricula remain relevant to industry trends and that research at Al Maarefa can be directly applied to improve industrial processes and healthcare outcomes.

International Academic-Industry Links

Al Maarefa’s outreach extends globally through academic partnerships that have industry implications. For instance, the university has engaged with the University of New Haven (USA) to develop programs in cybersecurity and expand academic partnerships [6]. This kind of collaboration, while academic, often involves sharing best practices and technology that benefit industry (e.g., cybersecurity training for industry professionals). It highlights Al Maarefa’s role in global knowledge exchange.

Internships and Consultancy

The university’s collaborations facilitate internship programs and consultancy opportunities. Through formal agreements with hospitals and companies, students undertake clinical rotations and internships in real work environments, such as hospitals, pharmacies, tech firms, and financial institutions. These internships (often a requirement for health programs) are jointly supervised to ensure students gain hands-on industry experience, enhancing their employability. Faculty experts from Al Maarefa also serve as consultants or advisors on industry projects (for example, offering expertise in patient safety, as evidenced by an MoU with the Saudi Patient Safety Center to support education and research in healthcare safety [7]). Such knowledge exchange initiatives benefit both the industry (through expert input and fresh talent) and the university (through real-world problem solving and curriculum relevance).

In summary, formal industry partnerships at Al Maarefa University are diverse and impactful – from large-scale training programs to sector-specific research collaborations. These partnerships support technology transfer, ensure that academic innovation finds its way into industry, and help produce graduates with practical skills aligned to Saudi Arabia’s industrial development goals.

Innovation and Infrastructure Supporting SDG9

Al Maarefa University has developed a supportive ecosystem for innovation, backed by modern infrastructure and dedicated programs:

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center

The university established a Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship that serves as an incubator for ideas. This center provides “logistical and technical support to researchers and students to transform their research ideas into real, applicable projects ready for implementation and marketing,” thereby contributing to a sustainable knowledge economy [1]. Through workshops, mentorship, and resources, the center nurtures an entrepreneurial spirit on campus [8]. It actively encourages students and faculty to develop start-up ventures. For example, Al Maarefa’s incubator program solicits innovative projects and research outputs from students, and helps incubate them into start-up companies (a recent call for incubator applications in 2025 aimed to convert research projects into viable businesses). This pipeline from ideation to commercialization ensures that innovations born at the university can progress to the market, supporting new SMEs and industries in the region.

Technology and Innovation Support (IP Infrastructure)

Al Maarefa is recognized as a WIPO Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC), offering services in patent searching, IP management, and technology transfer assistance [9]. The university’s TISC office provides access to patent databases and expert advice on patentability and licensing to students, faculty, and even external entrepreneurs [9]. By helping innovators navigate intellectual property processes, Al Maarefa’s infrastructure enables protection and commercialization of new technologies. Several of the university’s patented inventions have benefitted from this support, resulting in international patents and potential licensing deals [4]. This IP support infrastructure is crucial for fostering an innovation ecosystem aligned with SDG9.

Laboratories and Facilities

The university has invested in state-of-the-art labs and learning facilities that underpin both education and research. It boasts modern science and engineering laboratories, medical simulation centers, and technology-enabled classrooms. Ongoing upgrades include the construction of a central research laboratory (ISO 17025 compliant) to serve as a core facility for advanced R&D across disciplines [2]. Research labs are equipped for cutting-edge work in fields like pharmaceutical science, biomedical engineering, and computer science. These facilities give students hands-on experience with industry-standard technology (e.g., lab instrumentation, simulation mannequins, and computing resources), thus better preparing them for industrial and technical careers [8]. The investment in modern infrastructure extends to campus IT as well – e-learning platforms, digital libraries, and smart classroom systems – all of which create an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration [8].

Entrepreneurial Curriculum and Hackathons

Innovation is also promoted through the curriculum and extracurricular activities. Al Maarefa has integrated entrepreneurship training into its academic programs – since 2023, an entrepreneurship course is offered to undergraduate students to instill business startup knowledge and creative thinking [3]. The university even sponsors top students to obtain an International Entrepreneurship License by covering training and exam fees, incentivizing students to pursue entrepreneurship credentials [3]. Beyond classes, Al Maarefa regularly organizes innovation competitions, hackathons, and research & innovation days. For example, in December 2024 it hosted an AI Hackathon for Disability Inclusion (aligned with International Day of Persons with Disabilities) to devise smart solutions for people with disabilities. The annual Scientific Research and Innovation Day (now in its 4th year) allows students to showcase research projects and prototypes, with awards for the best innovations [10]. Such events not only enrich student experience but often produce ideas that feed into the incubation pipeline. The university’s commitment to “hands-on, problem-solving learning” ensures graduates are not just job seekers but potential job creators in emerging industries [8].

Research Centers and Quality Infrastructure

Within its organizational structure, Al Maarefa has dedicated units to sustain innovation. A Research Center and a Unit for Research Labs oversee the maintenance and strategic development of research infrastructure [11] [2]. Additionally, the university is developing Research Chairs in critical fields, often in partnership with industry or government, to drive specialized innovation agendas [2]. Quality assurance systems (the university holds full institutional accreditation and international program accreditations) ensure that infrastructure and labs meet high standards and safety for research and innovation activities. All these elements of infrastructure support a vibrant innovation culture on campus.

In essence, Al Maarefa University’s infrastructure – physical, intellectual, and programmatic – is designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. By equipping laboratories to international standards, providing support for IP and startups, integrating innovation into education, and hosting platforms for creative ideas, the university creates a pipeline from education to innovation to industry.

Community and Regional Impact

Al Maarefa University extends its influence beyond campus through community engagement and regional development initiatives that promote sustainable industrialization and infrastructure development:

Capacity Building for Local Industry

The large-scale training initiative with Future Vision (training 50,000 Saudis in key skill areas) is a direct contribution to the community and workforce development [5]. By focusing on leadership, digital skills, healthcare management, and technical fields, the program bolsters the skill base of the local population, making local industries more resilient and innovative. Thousands of graduates of this program will enter the job market over the next three years, enhancing productivity in various sectors (from healthcare to ICT) and supporting Saudi industrialization goals. This exemplifies how Al Maarefa leverages its expertise to serve national human resource development, a cornerstone of SDG9’s inclusive industrial growth.

Technology Transfer to Startups and SMEs

Through its Innovation Center and TISC, Al Maarefa facilitates the transfer of knowledge and technology to the wider community. Students and faculty are encouraged to spin off startups based on university research – effectively transferring academic innovations into the local economy. The university’s incubator provides mentorship and may connect budding entrepreneurs with investors or government SME support programs (such as Monsha’at) to further develop their enterprises. By mid-2025, Al Maarefa had opened calls to incubate innovative projects (including “research outputs to be turned into start-ups” with application drives on social media). Such efforts contribute to the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region, especially in knowledge-intensive fields, thereby diversifying the economy and fostering innovation-driven industry at the grassroots.

Community Responsibility and Outreach

Al Maarefa University operates a Community Responsibility Center that coordinates outreach programs in education, health, and technology for the local community [12]. Each year, the center plans awareness events, training workshops, and public education campaigns on relevant topics (e.g. health days, technology awareness, cultural events) [12]. The aim is to “utilize knowledge and research to create products and services offered to the community” [12]. For instance, faculty and students have organized free public workshops on safe medication use (“Your Medications in Ramadan”) and first aid, and provided health screenings at community events, thereby sharing the university’s expertise for public benefit. These programs often align with specific UN SDGs adopted annually by the university, ensuring that community projects (like infrastructure for clean water, digital literacy courses, etc.) support broader sustainable development targets [12]. By investing in community well-being and education, Al Maarefa helps build the social infrastructure needed for sustainable industrialization (healthy, educated citizens form the backbone of any industry).

Volunteerism and SDG Partnerships

The university actively encourages staff and students to engage in volunteer projects that improve local infrastructure or services. In 2025, Al Maarefa signed an MoU with the Diriyah Association (a local development charity) to cooperate in areas of volunteering, community health services, education, and training – all aimed at national development [4]. This partnership, and others like it, enable students to work on community development projects (e.g., improving healthcare access in rural areas, or providing free consulting to small local businesses on technology adoption). Al Maarefa’s Community Responsibility Center specifically aims to “empower university members to practice community responsibility and enhance active community participation to achieve the UN SDGs” [12]. One outcome is a higher awareness and adoption of sustainable practices in the region; for example, engineering students have participated in volunteering to upgrade community facilities and adopt green technologies, thereby directly contributing to resilient infrastructure in the local area.

Regional Knowledge Exchanges

The university’s influence on regional industry is also channeled through conferences and forums. Al Maarefa hosts and participates in regional events like the Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Medical Industries Forum [10], bringing together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and academics to discuss challenges and solutions in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare technology. By convening such dialogues, the university fosters a regional innovation network and ensures that local SMEs and industries can access the latest knowledge. Additionally, Al Maarefa faculty serve on advisory boards of local companies and government bodies, advising on best practices in infrastructure development, healthcare system improvement, and technology adoption. This service strengthens the institutional capacity of the region to undertake sustainable industrial projects (for example, advising a municipality on smart infrastructure or a hospital on health IT systems).

Conclusion

Al Maarefa University demonstrates a comprehensive commitment to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through robust R&D output, active industry partnerships, dedicated innovation infrastructure, and impactful community engagement. The university not only advances academic knowledge but also ensures that this knowledge translates into real-world applications – from patents and startups to skilled graduates powering local industries. Its collaborations with industry and government exemplify how academia can serve as a catalyst for sustainable industrialization and innovation. Al Maarefa’s efforts align with national development strategies and the global SDG9 targets, positioning the university as an emerging leader in driving inclusive and sustainable industrial growth in Saudi Arabia [8] [1].

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