منطقة الجوف-جامعة الجوف

The President of Jouf University, Prof. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, launched the Advanced Sustainable Energy Technologies Research Chair, marking a significant step in the University’s efforts to strengthen its research and innovation ecosystem, bridge knowledge and practical application, and direct research capabilities toward areas of national priority and sustainable development impact.

The launch of the Research Chair builds on the University’s ongoing efforts to achieve the objectives of its strategic plan, particularly by enhancing the quality and productivity of scientific research, fostering innovation, advancing technology transfer and localization, building effective partnerships, and developing the capabilities of researchers and postgraduate students. It also seeks to maximize the University’s impact in serving the Al-Jouf region and contributing to solutions for national challenges related to energy and sustainability.

The Research Chair focuses on research, development, and innovation in sustainable energy through high-quality applied research, transforming research outcomes into applicable solutions, technologies, and prototypes, and establishing multidisciplinary research teams and partnerships with universities as well as government and private-sector organizations. These efforts are aimed at addressing energy and sustainability challenges in the Al-Jouf region and across the Kingdom.

The Chair aspires to become a leading research platform and a national scientific reference in advanced sustainable energy technologies. Its mission centers on developing, transferring, and localizing advanced knowledge, establishing national and international partnerships, and promoting innovation and technological leadership in ways that contribute to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Chair focuses on several future-oriented research priorities, including renewable energy technologies; solar and wind energy in desert environments; hydrogen production and storage technologies; advanced batteries and thermal energy storage; energy conversion and power electronics; and energy efficiency. It also seeks to harness artificial intelligence and smart grids in developing sustainable energy systems and applications.

The Chair has established operational targets for 2026–2028 that directly contribute to the University’s research and innovation performance indicators. Key targets include supporting 15 research projects within the Chair’s areas of specialization, publishing 10 research papers in Q1- and Q2-ranked scientific journals, and training more than 100 postgraduate students. The targets also include developing prototypes and technological solutions, securing a patent, establishing strategic partnerships, and conducting applied studies with a direct impact on the Al-Jouf region.

The Chair also aims to expand its network of collaboration with national organizations, energy project operators in the region, research and development funding institutions, universities, and research centers. Such collaboration will facilitate access to data and expertise, provide opportunities for training, joint research, and researcher exchange, and support the transformation of research outcomes into practical applications and implementable solutions.

The launch of the Research Chair represents a new milestone in Jouf University’s journey from research to innovation, and from innovation to impact. It further strengthens the University’s role as a knowledge and development partner that contributes to developing high-impact solutions, advancing sustainability, and harnessing scientific research to serve the priorities of the Al-Jouf region and the Kingdom while supporting national development objectives.