King Saud University launches second edition of Waed program for new researchers

King Saud University, represented by the Deanship of Scientific Research, has launched the second edition of its Waed program for 2026. The event was attended by Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Hisham bin Abdulaziz Al-Hadlaq, several college deans and officials, and included the participation of 117 faculty members across 117 research projects.

The program aims to empower new faculty members, support their research careers, and develop their skills in preparing proposals, managing projects, and working within research teams. It also provides a stimulating environment and supports the preparation of laboratories and infrastructure related to the projects.

Waed offers participants opportunities to develop their skills through specialized workshops and training courses, participation in scientific conferences, and building collaborative networks with local and international experts. It also enhances communication with experienced researchers within the university.

Enhancing research capabilities and scientific collaboration

Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Hisham Al-Hadlaq stated that the program reflects the university’s commitment to building a supportive research environment for new faculty members, enabling them to develop their abilities and embark on research careers based on collaboration and knowledge exchange. He emphasized that investing in promising researchers strengthens the future of scientific research at the university and its ability to address national priority issues.

Dean of Scientific Research Saleh bin Hamad Al-Wasel noted that the program helps refine the skills of new faculty in preparing proposals, managing projects and teams, and increasing their competitiveness for research grants both locally and internationally. It also trains them in research leadership and publishing scientific outputs in prestigious journals.

Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al-Nasser, Vice Dean for Scientific Research Affairs and supervisor of the program, added that this second edition supports 117 research projects, building on the first edition, which saw the participation of 100 faculty members and resulted in around 144 workshops, 53 participations in scientific conferences and advanced statistics courses, and the publication of more than 50 scientific papers.

Diverse projects addressing national priorities

The supported projects cover a range of health, scientific, technological, and social fields relevant to national priorities. These include developing assessment and diagnostic tools for elderly patients after injuries, educational applications for healthcare staff dealing with child abuse, and research exploring mineral and economic potential in the Al-Rayn area east of the Arabian Shield.

The launch event included the signing of contracts with researchers, an introductory workshop on the program and project implementation mechanisms, as well as a discussion session to address participants’ questions.

The Waed program is part of King Saud University’s strategy to increase high-quality research, prepare new faculty to secure national and international research grants, and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, contributing to national priorities and the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.