SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT KFUPM AN OVERVIEW

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SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHAT KFUPM AN OVERVIEW

• Dr. Mohammad S. Al-Homoud

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Introduction

• Research role in the University
• Impact of research
• The new Deanship of Scientific Research
• Our ambitions
• The common goal

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Scientific Research Mission

• To provide a stimulating research environment
  for faculty members and graduate students,
• To advance knowledge especially in science,
  engineering, environmental design and
  management,
• To enhance the quality of teaching, and
• To serve the scientific community and the society
  at large.

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Functions of the Deanship of Scientific Research
(1)

• Support research projects conducted by
  researchers at various departments.
• Propose the scientific research policies and
  regulations.
• Provide funds for publication costs of research
  papers, manuscripts, textbooks and other
  publications.

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Functions of the Deanship of Scientific Research
(2)

• Support Arabic books authoring and translation.
• Provide conference attendance support.
• Propose the annual research budget.
• Provide incentives for active and quality
  research.

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Functional View of the Deanship of Scientific
Research
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Research Grants (1)

• Internal Research Grants
• It is the main research grant given by KFUPM with
  flexible budget and duration. Includes
• Research projects,
• Book Writing/Translating Grants.
• SABIC Fast Track Research Grant
• Limited in budget and duration.
• The budget is equal or less than SR 75,000 and
  duration does not exceed 18 months

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Research Grants (2)

• Junior Faculty Research Grant
• Societal Studies Research Grant
• Sabbatical leave projects

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Other Research Support and Incentives

• British Council Summer Program
• Fulbright Scholarship Program
• Excellence in Research Award
• Conference Attendance Support
• Publications support

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Important Points

• Quality of research proposals and reports
• Quality of research outputs
• Direction of research
• Involving graduate students
• Reviewers selection
• Estimated budgets and project duration
• Equipment requirements
• Completeness of applications
• Meeting the deadlines

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Conference Attendance Support (1)

• Faculty are eligible for a total of three
  conferences per year
• International Conference Based on
• a. Presentation of a paper OR
• b. Published paper (over the past two years) OR
• c. Invited keynote speaker

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Conference Attendance Support (2)

• 2. International Conference Based on
  Presentation from an approved funded project
  provided the project has a budget for attending
  international conference

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Conference Attendance Support (3)

• 3. GCC Conference Based on presentation of paper
  in a high quality and relevant conference
  quality.

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Important Points

• Quality of the conference
• Completeness of the application
• Applying on time
• Avoiding the blackout dates

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Shared Responsibility

• Our role is to support and facilitate.
• Quality of research is a common objective.
• The role of the department chairman is critical.
• College research committee role is also
  important.
• The cooperation of researchers can not be
  overemphasized.

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Planned Activities

• Research directions.
• Incentives and rewards.
• Review and update research policies.
• Review and update all research and conference
  related forms.
• Automate research management activities
• Applications online
• Reviews online
• Reviewers database
• Automated follow-up on projects

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Final Note

• We always welcome your suggestions and ideas for
  improving and promoting active and quality
  research, that will achieve our common goal of
  excellence in research at KFUPM

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• Thank You

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Additional supporting slides
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STATISTICS 2004-05 (1)

• More than 180 research proposals and final
  reports evaluated during this period.
• 87 projects were approved registering a 16
  growth in on-going research
• 26 SABIC and 23 Fast Track Projects approved, 10
  of these projects were awarded to first-time
  applicants

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STATISTICS 2004-05 (2)

• A total increase of 2.2 is observed in funding
  support received from SABIC compared to previous
  years financial allocation
• Active research projects will increase to 196
  on-going research projects

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STATISTICS 2004-05 (3)

• The publication output by of faculty has
  increased significantly by more than 6 as
  compared to the last year.
• More importantly, the quality of publications has
  improved considerably more than half of the
  published papers are in top premier journals
• 362 Conference Applications were processed of
  which 293 (81) were recommended. Further 29
  applications were approved during the summer
  period.

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Functions of the Research Office

• Administrative Support
• Financial Support and Control
• Quality Assurance and Control
• E-Research

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Conclusion

• Various initiatives and tracks for research are
  essential to ensure effective faculty and student
  participation.
• Automation of administration process is a key
  requirement for its efficiency
• Regular promotion and clear guidelines play a
  major role in overcoming initial faculty
  hesitation to participate in research

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Research Committee Web Page
http//www.kfupm.edu.sa/committee/research/index1.
html