This was announced on Friday by KSU President Abdullah Al-Othman.

“The KSU has laid down the infrastructure for the laboratories in which 30 researchers and post-graduate students will carry out research. The institute is linked to external laboratories at leading universities and research centers, such as the Max Plank Institute in Germany, the University of Illinois in the United States, Leeds University in Britain and the Chinese Academy of Sciences,” Al-Othman said in a statement.

Research at KAIN will cover areas of particular interest to the Kingdom, such as seawater desalination, renewable energy and the treatment of diseases such as cancer and diabetes, said the university president.

The institute has also set up an academic council comprising 12 globally renowned scientists, including three Nobel laureates, he added.

Al-Othman said he hopes the construction of a special KAIN building at Riyadh Technology Valley would enable researchers in different fields to meet at a single place, and provide them with an opportunity to build team spirit and enhance the quality of their research.

“The building, which will house a number of advanced laboratories, has an area of 8,000 sq. meters. The actual laboratories will cover 4,000 sq. meters and the administration offices will use up 1,000 sq. meters. Store rooms will use 1,000 square meters, workstations 1,500 sq. meters, and utilities 500 sq. meters,” he said.

Saudi businessman Muhammad Al-Amoudi is funding the building’s construction.