SWCC strikes training deal with Alfaisal University

Saudi Arabia’s Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) and Alfaisal University signed a memorandum of understanding on 2 January 2009 to cooperate in research and training in the application of desalination technology.

Addressing a press conference after the signing ceremony, Prince Bandar bin Saud, chairman of the Executive Committee of Alfaisal University said, “The agreement is the result of Alfaisal University’s commitment to seeking leadership in technical research and scientific development directly related to the needs of development and production centers in the country. We believe that such developments could be reached through building relationships and cooperation with highly reputable national and international organizations such as the SWCC.”

He pointed out that production and supply of desalinated water was the top priority in the Kingdom. He added that with this cooperation agreement, the university would produce expertise that could fulfil technical needs of the country.

SWCC governor Fehaid Al-Shareef told D&WR that the common goals of the participating parties were to support the technical and technological collaboration and to benefit from each others’ capabilities.

“It is well known that SWCC is not only responsible for desalinating sea water and producing electric power, it also conducts research and development projects that are related to desalination technology,” said the governor. “It aims to adopt this technology and promote the desalination technical and economic benefits, as well as to devise and create new ways to reduce costs.”

Al-Shareef said that Alfaisal University was seeking leadership in technical research and scientific development directly related to the needs of development and production sectors in Saudi Arabia through applied research projects conducted by faculty and students. The agreement would help to build skilled and experienced graduate students in water and its production field especially in desalinated water technologies and processes.

SWCC itself trained 5,454 officials in various fields in the year 2006-07.

Updated 14 January 2009