SABIC INVESTING IN INNOVATION, ENCOURAGING TALENT IN SUPPORT OF VISION 2030

The importance SABIC attaches to creativity and innovation has played a large part in making it an outstanding petrochemical success story. Ever since its inception more than 45 years ago, SABIC has been investing in science and technology education as core values in its work environment.

SABIC has also invested in strategic partnerships with many government and private entities to develop innovative technologies and industries with competitive advantages that improve the quality of life. In 2022 alone, SABIC successfully registered and filed 9,948 patents in 2022, with 2,000 employees working in 18 technology and innovation centers around the world.

In addition, SABIC has closely cooperated with leading universities to encourage scientific research and innovation projects and jointly worked with a number of national bodies to sponsor and host events relating to innovation and creativity. Along with its scholarships and cooperative training programs, SABIC is also involved in several joint programs with a number of local and international educational institutions, including research chairs.

In a reflection of its strong support for creativity and innovation, SABIC recently held a ceremony at the SABIC Academy in Riyadh to honor the Saudi science and engineering team members who won 27 awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Dallas, USA, from May 13 to 19.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Abdulaziz Al-Oudan, EVP, Corporate HR, SABIC executive leadership, and several officials from the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba). SABIC’s objective of hosting the ceremony was to highlight this national achievement and enhance the strategic partnership between SABIC and Mawhiba to discover and encourage more promising creative and innovative talents. SABIC had sent an official delegation to accompany the Saudi team.

Speakers focused on the key aspects of the Saudi participation in ISEF 2023 and ways to invest the gains to unlock the capabilities of youth as a driving force for excellence in the future – an important driver of Saudi Vision 2030.

In his speech, Al-Oudan said this national achievement is a clear demonstration of the wise leadership’s support for the Saudi youth to excel in international forums. “The achievements of the young Saudi talents demonstrate the Kingdom’s competitive advantage in science and innovation. When we bring together creative ideas, institutional efforts and integration between sectors to help build a knowledge economy, we need to collaborate to develop more human resource programs and build future competencies to contribute toward achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”

SABIC and Mawhiba continue to cooperate in supporting and empowering the gifted and creative people in different educational stages in the Kingdom by adopting international scientific principles and methods. The partnership involves supporting and sponsoring Mawhiba’s programs, competitions and conferences, having SABIC employees participate as members of the scientific committees in some national science competitions and hosting some of the National Olympiad’s events.