Sep 11, 2026

University Research Day Connects Research to Impact

The University Research Day (URD) 2026 was held on September 8–9 at Novotel Dhahran under the theme “From Research to Impact,” bringing together researchers, industry, investors, government representatives, and the wider research and innovation community. The event attracted more than 2000 visitors, reflecting strong interest from across the research and innovation ecosystem. Organized by KFUPM KIKX in collaboration with the Research Institute, and with the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) as Strategic Partner, the two-day event showcased more than 60 research items from 18 research centers and more than 20 disciplines, alongside 14 KFUPM-born startups and a program of keynote talks, research project pitches, fireside chats, and commercialization workshops.

The event opened with remarks from Dr. Muhammad Al-Saggaf, President of KFUPM, who reflected on the University’s progress in research while emphasizing that publications, citations, and rankings should not be the final measure of success. Instead, he called on researchers to pursue work capable of creating meaningful national and global impact.

“My measure of success is that one day somebody is going to say: this important invention that impacted humanity was invented at KFUPM,” he said.

He encouraged the research community to pursue a number of flagship research projects capable of addressing major national and global challenges, stressing that the ultimate purpose of research is to improve society and the human condition.

At the center of URD 2026 was the research exhibition, featuring 30 research booths with working prototypes and live demonstrations and 30 digital posters presenting emerging projects. The displayed research addressed four national RDI priority areas: Energy and Industrial Leadership, Sustainable Environment and Supply of Essential Needs, Economies of the Future, and Health and Wellness. Projects ranged from floating photovoltaics and green hydrogen technologies to , KFUPM’s first 8U CubeSat, MRI-compatible surgical robotics, and AI-driven antibiotic discovery. Student projects and prototypes were also presented at the Undergraduate Research Office booth, giving undergraduates a platform alongside the University’s research centers.

Another central part of the program was the PI Research Rally, which gave 18 principal investigators a focused platform to present their research directly to the audience. The first day focused on emerging projects, while the second featured higher-maturity projects, creating an opportunity to communicate research beyond the traditional academic presentation format.

The event also highlighted the path from research to entrepreneurship through the Startups Zone, which brought together 14 ventures originating from KFUPM research. Founders were present throughout the event to discuss their products, pilot needs, partnerships, and growth plans with potential collaborators and investors. The startups represented areas including carbon capture, oil-spill cleanup, solar cooling, biofuels, subsurface technologies, advanced materials, and green chemistry, with two of the ventures founded by graduate students.

The two-day program further connected KFUPM research with the wider innovation ecosystem through three keynote addresses. Dr. Julien-Alexandre Lamamy, CEO of ispace-EUROPE, discussed the journey from university research to commercial space and R&D, while Dr. Arwa Althaqafi of RDIA addressed the national RDI roadmap and pathways supporting research commercialization. On the second day, Eng. Mohammed Abusharifah, CEO of Dhahran Techno Valley, discussed R&D commercialization at KFUPM, including venture building, incubation, partnerships, and co-investment pathways.

Beyond the main presentations, URD 2026 included two fireside chats exploring how research can move beyond the laboratory and how university-industry partnerships can lead to impactful products. Two hands-on commercialization workshops extended this focus, covering the journey from research to commercialization and from minimum viable product (MVP) to market entry.

University Research Day 2026 concluded with a closing ceremony in which the Best Pitch Award and the Most Innovative Idea Award were presented to the winners of the two Research Rallies by the Vice President for Research and Innovation. The event sponsors were also honored in recognition of their support for the University’s research and innovation agenda.