Boeing, KAUST renew pact on next-generation aerospace technologies

Boeing and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have renewed their Master Research Agreement (MRA). The renewal of the MRA marks a significant milestone for Boeing and KAUST as they seek to boost collaborative research on next-generation aerospace technologies.

“KAUST is an important strategic partner to Boeing, and our goal is to facilitate both local and international industrial collaborations,” said Ahmed Jazzar, President of Boeing, Saudi Arabia. “Boeing’s partnership with KAUST aims to support cutting-edge research, by establishing knowledge-based programs, which is an objective to the Kingdom.”

Currently, Boeing Research & Technology (BR&T), the company’s central advanced R&D organization located at the KAUST campus, collaborates with the University on a number of major research projects in advanced materials, combustion quenching, solar power optimization and industrial water treatment.

KAUST Vice President for Research Jean M. Fréchet said “as a founding member of the KAUST Industry Collaboration Program, Boeing has partnered with KAUST on a number of projects since 2009 that have helped establish advanced research laboratories and robust faculty-industry initiatives. We look forward to strengthening our joint commitment to the growth and innovation of aerospace research within Saudi Arabia.”

Boeing technology leaders are currently working with KAUST researchers on purifying manufactured water and the development of unique mechanisms for the analysis of flame quenching physics.

“We are all proud of our research partnership with KAUST and pleased to continue to deepen our relationship with this new agreement,” said Dr. Bill Lyons, director of Global R&D Strategy for BR&T. “KAUST is a world-class research institution, and together we are working one some of the most important technology challenges facing the aerospace industry and our society this century.”