KAUST visits NEOM to talk "food"

Twenty-six people from KAUST gathered at the Golden Tulip at NEOM from November 29 to 30 to explore mutual interests in the NEOM Food Sector’s strategic plan.

Individuals with interests in topics ranging from plant science and microbiology to sensors and engineering developed the framework for a series of R&D programs in the areas of domestication for local production, food digital, greenhouses of the future and algae for the food system.

Mark Tester, head, Food Sector at NEOM, feels “enthusiastic and looks forward to developing these areas to see where KAUST can contribute to the future of food, at NEOM and beyond,” he stated.

Tester, who is also KAUST professor of plant science; co-founder of the startup Red Sea Farms LLC in Saudi Arabia; and associate director of KAUST’s Center for Desert Agriculture, has a foot in both camps, which is an enviable position involved in making the collaboration between the two entities flourish.

Ikram Blilou, KAUST associate professor of plant science, feels—like her fellow colleagues—indebted to Tester for his generosity and for giving individuals from KAUST the privilege to be among the first scientists to establish a fruitful research program between KAUST and NEOM.

“The workshop at NEOM has brought together bright minds from different disciplines. Everyone was engaged and highly interactive, leading to innovative ideas to establish long-lasting collaborations between KAUST and NEOM using use cutting-edge technology. The visit was truly inspiring. The NEOM-KAUST program will strengthen the potential for a promising future for agriculture in the Kingdom.”

Ikram Blilou, associate professor, Plant Science, KAUST

Simon Kattinger, assistant professor of plant science, was impressed to be one of the first to see the NEOM site and to be exposed to the challenges of establishing a sustainable and economically viable agricultural system in a dry and hot place like NEOM.

“The multidisciplinary discussions among the workshop participants was really enjoyable. It is fascinating to see that solutions for desert agriculture can come from many different research disciplines, including plant science, microbiology, engineering, robotics and data science.“

Simon Kattinger, assistant professor, Plant Science, KAUST

If you are interested in knowing more about the initiatives of the KAUST-NEOM Center of Excellence for NEOM Research at KAUST in the Food Sector, please contact Mark Tester at mark.tester@kaust.edu.sa.