The vision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for a world-class international research center to be established in the heart of Saudi Arabia was outlined by Nadhmi A. Al-Nasr, the interim president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, during his meeting with Saudi writers and academics in Jeddah this week. Al-Nasr told of King Abdullah’s personal interest in the plans to launch the new university. Al-Nasr said the king has paid several visits to the construction sites in Thuwal and is very keen to see the university become a beacon of knowledge and research that will contribute to the Kingdom’s progress and development and promote research needed to serve humanity and global prosperity.The university will collaborate with international research centers to promote technological development that will benefit both Saudi Arabia and the world.