Dr. Al-Othman: The winner of King Faisal Prize is presiding the Global Scientific Council of King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology.

Wednesday, 07 Rabee Awwal, 1430AH has Witnessed first meeting of the Global Scientific Council of King Abdullah Institute Nanotechnology, with its new formation which includes three Nobel winners scientists; Professor Theodore Haunch from Germany, Professor Tony Ligeet from University of Illinois, America, and Professor Roy Gulwber from Harvard University, America, in addition to Professor James Moardi from University of South California, America, Professor Muneer Nayfeh from University of Illinois, America, Professor Johan Chwank from University of Michigan, America, Professor Krishna Sarassort from Stanford University, America, Professor Richard Andrew Williams from University of Leeds, UK and Professor Hiroshi Yokoyama from Japan, Professor Shunli Bay from China, and Professor Charles Zukoski from University of Illinois, America.
At the beginning of the meeting, His Excellency Rector of King Saud University Professor Abdullah bin AbdulRahman Al Othman raised his great thanks and gratitude to the place of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for their agreement on the establishment of the Institute, which is considered a new landmark in the progress of this university.
Prof. Al-Othman added: King Saud University was honored with the royal approval on the establishment of King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, and this is an order for all university employees; this respectable university that has become among the leading international universities, and we are fully confident that this institute will take a global scientific place in the near future.
Prof. Al-Othman pointed that this global scientific Council of King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, combines two characteristics; the first one distinguishes members of the council, and the other distinguishes the countries that those members belong to; those members who are winners of prestigious global awards, such as Nobel Prize, King Faisal International Prize, and others. They also belong to countries have a leading role in the field of Nano-research and its applications. This Council has held its first meeting this morning, and the key points were discussed such as the strategic directions of research for the Institute, which serves the nation, and a project to ensure the stability of the financial resources of the Institute and other topics.
His Excellency Dr. Al Othman concluded his statement extending his deep thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may God preserve him for his courtesy meeting with the Scientific Council, which put huge responsibility on the shoulders of the university and members of the Council in order to get up with this institute in all aspects such as its effectiveness, efficiency, and standards, so as to be at the expected aspirations of the wise leadership, and to achieve an outstanding standard of knowledge and to build community partnership contributing to the transformation of this society to a knowledge-based society, which would grandiose the benefits and adds to the development process of our beloved country under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince, may God preserve them.
Additionally, His Excellency University Rector sent off his sincere thanks and gratitude to all members of the Scientific Council for honoring the university and the convening of the first meeting of this Council, despite their large and busy schedule.
Number of council members gave some speeches, including Professor Theodore Hansh form Germany, who presided the Council, where he stressed that the Scientific Council, which includes a number of scientists from different countries could be useful to the University and for the kingdom, and for the countries of those scientists. He also congratulated university administration for its perspicacity and establishing this Institute, and emphasizing that the wide dreams, which can be achieved must be subjected to the will of a strong and distinguished experts to achieve this vision.
He added: what we have heard is amazing and wonderful at the level of settling knowledge, pointing out that nanotechnology can be used in many useful areas, and it is possible to take advantage of students' efforts in the service of the vision of kingdom's university. He also expressed his admiration with the growing interest of nanotechnology in the Kingdom expecting to achieve great success in this field.
professor Hansh responded to a question on the achievements that can be achieved, he answered: the vision that the Institute hopes to be able to carry out further researches in order be able to start projects that the Institute seeks for and the provision of jobs for citizens, and the gradual transformation of the economy of oil to the knowledge economy giving the opportunity for students to conduct research worldwide.
Prof. Hansh expected that the obtainment of innovations and discoveries made by researchers at the Institute would be during the next ten years and then make a qualitative leap in the field of nanotechnology.
On the other hand, Professor Muneer Nayfeh from University of Illinois considered the experience of creating this Institute is a successful experience fulfilled all required conditions and the infrastructure for implementing this project, pointing to the holistic view adopted by the university administration to work diligently to support researchers and encourage them to achieve what is hoped for.
He also pointed out that Nanotechnology has not reached the end of its path, and institute can take part with his counterparts from other global Institutes in the development of this technology, stressing the importance of financial support, which must stand along and support this institute. And compared with other countries, the efforts invested in the institute will help to move forward with the achievements and will help to bring about a revolution in this area, indicating that there are priority areas in the Kingdom which are water and energy.
His Excellency Prof. Al Othman University Rector concluded the meeting responding to a question about the main constituents for the success of the Institute, he said that these constituents can be summarized in several points, notably that there should be strong political will, accompanied with financial support, distinct global experts and there should be a stimulating environment in order to achieve these goals, and all these constituents are available at the Institute.