History

Approved by council of minister
Council of Ministers approved on 19/10/1426 H Eighth Development Plan of the Kingdom of the distinguished decision No. (251), which provided in Chapter II, that: "Plan seeks to encourage the establishment of science parks at universities and research centers, and to direct more attention to the promotion of co-financing and joint research programs between industry and public sector institutions, and the establishment of business incubators in order to transform research results into industrial and commercial applications." The Plan emphasized: "the need to broaden the base of the national economy and activating the role of universities in creating a knowledge-based economy as one of the strategies in place to reduce reliance on oil resources and the development of the labor force" The chap 19th in the plan intensify: "To support the scientific activity and to encourage research and innovation, technology transfer and resettlement and the establishment of technology parks and incubators.

The basis of initiative
Approved by the Council of KSU, at its first meeting on 20/11/1429 H, in its resolution No. (1) to recommend the adoption of the " RTV project and the establishment of , RTV Holding company", which the university is seeking to achieve through a set of objectives, including:
technology transfer and resettlement in the service of the national economy and achieve sustainable development.
Diversification of the investment rule, and creating a stimulating and attractive environment for local firms and global investment in research and development.
discover talented creators and innovators, and attract and care them.
The promotion of knowledge and skill outcome for university students to achieve harmonization between the outputs of education and labor market requirements.
find opportunities distinguished career in the field of industry knowledge, and the development of the labor force and employment to support the development plans.
enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy.


Knowledge Based Economy
Consistent with the Eighth Development Plan of the Kingdom, which aims to build a national basis of science and technology, capable of innovation and renewal, in line with the trend towards knowledge-based economy. Initiated a KSU, as the mother university in Saudi Arabia to establish a scientific Science Park. called it “RTV" to be a regional pioneer of the Science Parks. Aware of the importance of production and the generation of scientific knowledge and the acceleration of technical industries, in particular, and their impact on the overall development and sustainable worked to upgrade the scientific and technical industries in Saudi Arabia to the levels that achieve the strategic objectives of economic and social development in all its facets. RTV project is unique and to develop new knowledge-based industries and the substantial investment in the industry and research techniques, a Center for the three industrial clusters, commercial and advanced technology will contribute effectively in the technology industry, economic research and investment, and invest tens of companies and research centers, local, regional and global employment directly and indirectly, approximately 3000 scholars, 12000 business experts, and provides 5000 job opportunities for students during and after the study by the university in 2020 within and outside the valley. By providing:

    a work environment that promotes the professional role of the private sector in innovation and research industry
    the transfer of technical research and resettlement it.
    the provision of electronic services for the exchange of knowledge.
    the creation of fertile ground for the development of commercial research.

KSU worked on planning a world-class project of RTV to achieve the aspirations of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development, strengthening and diversification of sources of competitive advantages of the Kingdom. The university is a key role in this, including having their support and patronage of the Government act as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the supportive potential means (physical, human and scientific), the promotion of intellectual property, investment and research in the field of economics of knowledge. Concurrent with the investment strategy of the project of the University of King Saud in building a partnership with the private and public sectors, taking advantage of research resources, and wide network of contacts with research centers and international companies.

Why KSU
Many factors distinguish KSU as a unique scientific and educational institution including:

    A unique strategic location in the capital of the Kingdom and its proximity to the Saudi economic and industrial development movement.
    Having King Abdullah Institute for the Nanotechnology on its premises, along with laboratories and research centers in America, China, Germany, and the Britain.
    Having a state of the art fully equipped Prince Sultan Institute for Advanced Technology, along with its laboratories including one of research in Sweden.
    Ranking as number one in Arab world for patents registered in the areas of Propane, petroleum, pharmacology and medicine.
    Having more than 4,500 faculty members, 80% of whom graduated from the top 20 universities in the world.
    Offering Expertise in more than 186 specialties.
    Enjoying infrastructure valued over 70 billion Saudi Riyals, ($ 18.7 billion).
    Benefiting from a global network of alliances with top universities and research centers in more than 12 developed countries.
    Including seven specialized research labs in developed countries.

signing service contracts with 14 Nobel Prize winners in various scientific specialties

Beneficiaries of RTV
First: training and rehabilitation of 5000 students annually to work with the private sector in order to create a fertile environment for private sector companies to operate and benefit the students by their participation in work and income. Students will work by rate of a few hours a day during their academic studies. Secondly: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
III: Raising the degree of integration with the private sector in financing the project and management, to ensure that continuity of business performance and reduce the contribution of government support as it is aware of the private sector of high importance to work near the centers of research and academic education, Private Sector Companies belief that the opportunity for the development of a generation of young practically people help such companies to achieve its strategic goals and achieve high competitive advantages