Canada and Saudi Arabia expand research partnership

Ottawa, ON —Today at the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau, Mitacs announced two new agreements with Saudi Arabia to expand research opportunities for Canadian and Saudi Arabian graduate students with academic institutions and industry partners in each country. Today’s event builds upon an existing partnership established between Mitacs and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education in 2014.

Starting this year, up to 20 graduate and PhD students from each country will refine their research skills in new environments, gain cultural fluency, and expand their professional networks during 16- to 24-week research internships with an industry partner.

Additionally, up to 30 university students from Canada and Saudi Arabia will have the opportunity to participate in 12- to 24-week research projects supervised by faculty at universities in both countries. Students will be provided with research experience and professional skills training.

The agreement was signed by Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director of Mitacs, and Fawzy A. Bukhari, Saudi Arabian Cultural Attaché in Canada.

Quotes:

Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs

“Today’s partnership highlights the benefits of building international research partnerships, and encourages the exchange of knowledge between Canada and Saudi Arabia. These agreements provide faculty a chance to benefit from students’ international perspectives and, at the same time, demonstrate the scope of world-class research taking part in their institutions.”

Fawzy Bukhari, Saudi Arabian Cultural Attaché

“Over the past four years, our partnership with Mitacs has allowed high-achieving Saudi undergraduate students to participate in cutting-edge research projects and work in leading Canadian research-intensive universities with keen interest in innovation and development. Today’s agreements open the door for further collaboration between academics and young researchers in both Canada and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Ministry of Education and the Government of Saudi Arabia greatly value Mitacs initiatives that provide not only opportunities for brilliant minds to come together but also spaces for productive international collaboration in a world oriented towards knowledge-based economies.”

Quick facts:

• Within Canada, Mitacs has worked with 60 universities, over 6,000 companies, and federal and provincial governments, building partnerships that support industrial and social innovation.
• Funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of Ontario, the Government of Quebec, and Canadian universities, the Mitacs Globalink program offers two-way mobility opportunities between Canada and Mitacs partner countries for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Impact story:

• Abdulkarim Hariri’s story, UOttawa team sheds light on quantum physics

Links:

• For information about Mitacs and our programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom.

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