REDLANDS, Calif.— September 20, 2024—Esri, the global leader in location intelligence, is pleased to announce a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Faculty of Architecture and Planning. The partnership aims to promote education, research, and innovation in the field of geographic information system (GIS) technology, fostering knowledge exchange and training opportunities for students and professionals alike.
The collaboration will additionally focus on cooperative training programs for KAU undergraduate and graduate students, advisory roles in curriculum development, and joint participation in scientific conferences and research projects. By bridging academic theory and real-world industry practice, this partnership seeks to enhance GIS capabilities in the Kingdom, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in geospatial technology.
“Partnering with King Abdulaziz University reinforces the foundation for fostering a sustainable, nationwide ecosystem in GIS education and innovation,” said Toufic Yannieh, CEO of Esri Saudi Arabia. “Through this collaboration, we are not only investing in the future of our industry but also empowering the next generation of professionals to leverage the power of GIS for sustainable development and smart city initiatives.”
The MoU reflects a shared vision of harnessing GIS to support national development strategies, particularly in urban planning, environmental management, and geospatial data analysis. The partnership also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of expanding technological expertise and academic research to meet the demands of a growing economy.
“We are excited to work with Esri Saudi Arabia in developing academic programs and initiatives that directly benefit our students and faculty,” said Dr. Mohammed Alamoudi, Dean of Faculty of Architecture and Planning and Vice President for Business and Knowledge Creativity at King Abdulaziz University. “This partnership will enable us to offer advanced GIS training and integrate real-world applications into our curriculum, providing our students with the tools they need to excel in the field of geospatial sciences.”
As part of the agreement, Esri Saudi Arabia will contribute to the academic development of GIS-related courses and offer collaborative training and employment opportunities to KAU students. The partnership will also include shared participation in scientific research projects aimed at addressing the region’s key challenges in urbanization, environmental sustainability, and smart infrastructure development.
About Esri
Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in hundreds of thousands of organizations globally, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial technology and analytics, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions that leverage a geographic approach to solving some of the world’s most complex problems by placing them in the crucial context of location. Visit us at esri.com.
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