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The evolution of different technologies through scientific
innovation and development of intellectual property is as an
important factor and a necessary basic for growing civilizations to
tread the course of the economic development. Such development is
solely built on technological advances and innovation. Acceding to
international trade organizations agreements gives technological
development more importance to enable the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to
be competitive. The King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
(KFUPM) has started a deliberate effort towards encouraging and
registering patents resulting from diligent research activity. The
university is also working towards effective utilization of these
patents. Creative effort at the university is expected to pour into
the crucible of economic development built on technology.
There is no doubt that technology products represent a main
indication for the credibility of scientific and engineering
research. From this perspective, KFUPM is keen on establishing the
infrastructure necessary to foster an environment of invention and
innovation in all technological fields.
The development of a technology passes through several stages. It
starts from the creative idea and ends in the form of innovative
products. This process needs an integrated system that includes
administrative, financial, legal and marketing support. The most
important of those stages is the initiation stage. This requires
developing intellectual and creative talents of professors and
researchers as well as students and employees.
Establishing an innovation center that provides support for
innovation, development and its preservation is an important step in
this direction. This center will offer the technical consulting
needed for innovative ideas and will help in developing them from a
concept to a prototype of a product.
The establishment of this center came after reviewing several well
known scientific centers running similar activities such as Centers
at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Purdue
University, and legal offices specialized in registering and
protecting patents in The United States and Germany.
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