The General Department of Research and Innovation is dedicated to enhancing research and innovation activities in vegetation cover development and combating desertification. The commitment to sustainability is evident in our efforts to build strategic partnerships at both local and international levels, develop scientific research and modern technologies, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and disseminate research and intellectual property. These actions contribute to sustainable development and the preservation of natural resources.
Mandates:
1. Research and Studies Department Mandates:
- Governance, monitoring, and identifying research needs and priorities, as well as technical studies related to vegetation cover development and combating desertification, in coordination with all NCVC departments.
- Establishing regulations, standards, and procedural guidelines for technical studies and scientific research to ensure quality, authenticity, and broad applicability.
- Collect detailed data and information related to scientific research, prepare statistical reports, and keep up with scientific and research developments.
- Proposing plans, strategies, and research programs in alignment with the NCVC’s objectives and strategies, in coordination with the Deputyship for Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority.
- Building strategic partnerships locally, regionally, and globally in scientific research for vegetation cover development and combating desertification.
2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Department Mandates:
- Monitoring and evaluating local and global innovations and modern technologies relevant to the NCVC’s scope.
- Enabling and localizing innovations and modern technologies and creating an environment that fosters them.
- Contributing to raising awareness of innovation and modern technologies.
- Strengthening partnerships with universities, research centers, centers of excellence, the private sector, and civil society organizations to support outstanding innovations for vegetation cover development and combating desertification.
- Promoting partnerships with leading companies in marketing innovative products and entrepreneurial projects.
3. Publishing and Intellectual Property Department Mandates:
- Digitally document research and technical studies at the NCVC and develop their outputs through national indicators and reports.
- Publishing books, scientific journals, and periodicals in areas related to the NCVC’s specialties.
- Monitoring and registering innovations and patents in coordination with relevant authorities.
- Supervising and coordinating publications, journals, and books issued by the NCVC’s departments, ensuring intellectual property rights are documented.
- Monitoring and collecting patents arising from NCVC’s research and projects, and registering and marketing intellectual property under the NCVC’s name.
- Submitting periodic reports on publishing and intellectual property, in alignment with the objectives of relevant national and international authorities.
Achievements
- Collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in the field of scientific publishing, focusing on the analysis and characterization of the genomes of 15 native plant species of environmental significance, which are used in afforestation programs and support the projects of the Saudi Green Initiative. This collaboration included the analysis of reference genetic sequences, metabolic outputs, and microbial content, as well as the growth analysis of seeds and root development.
- Establishing a long-term partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) by creating a research and environmental monitoring station. This partnership aims to support scientific research objectives in the areas of environmental rehabilitation, afforestation, and national parks, while also contributing to the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.
