Senior leadership from KAUST recently visited the Wadi Qudaid Experiment Station to see first-hand the impact of the University’s investment in field-based research for sustainable food security and environmental resilience. The delegation included President Sir Edward Byrne, Deputy Vice President for Research Professor Samir Hamdan, Executive Director of Missions Dr. Martin Kirk, Chief Financial Officer Dr. Richard Sobieray, and Chief of Staff Dr. Andrew MacLeod, alongside colleagues from research, operations and communications.
The visit, led by Professor Mark Tester, Chair of the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security, enabled senior leaders to engage directly with the work underway at the station, which has been developed over the past two years in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC). Located in Wadi Qudaid National Park in the Makkah Region, the facility is a key example of KAUST research being translated beyond campus and into national impact.
During the visit, the delegation was briefed on the current capabilities and research activities at the station, including the operation of greenhouse facilities, experimental field plots and ecological observation systems. Discussions focused on how the station is being used to test interventions for vegetation restoration and desert afforestation, support research on native plant species and genetics, and enable translational science aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative.
Professor Mark Tester emphasized the strategic importance of the site, saying: “The Wadi Qudaid Experimental Station is a clear example of how KAUST investments translate into real impact. By taking our science beyond the campus walls and working closely with national partners, we are helping deliver solutions that support the Kingdom’s ambitions in sustainable food security and environmental restoration.”
The delegation also discussed the station’s role in strengthening collaboration with NCVC and other national stakeholders, supporting revegetation programs, and providing a long-term platform for field-based research beyond the KAUST campus, reinforcing the University’s commitment to practical, on-the-ground outcomes for the Kingdom and beyond.
