Saudi- Argentine minister tours KACST 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Argentine Religious Affairs Minister Guillermo Oliveri visited yesterday the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and met its president Mohammed Al-Suwaiyel.

He and his delegation took a tour at the sixth Week of Science and Technology with the KACST head to listen a briefing on the exhibition's activities. The minister was accompanied by Argentine Ambassador to the Kingdom Jaime Sergio Cerda.

During the meeting Al-Suwaiyel briefed his guest on the activities of the city and its role and objectives that mainly focused on development and investments as part of the wide range strategic plan his organization is implementing to promote a knowledge-based society that serves sustainable development in the country.

He also briefed his guest on some scientific research programs and achievements of KACST in various fields.

The visiting official took a tour at the exhibition, during which he was briefed on some of KACST's works including the National Center for Electronics and Communications and ongoing projects undertaken by the city such as air balloons, micro-sensors and micro-cameras.

Al-Suwaiyel showed his guest the Natural and Environment Resources Research stall and its efforts in developing a warning system that diagnoses air pollution in addition to a number of other projects.

At the stall of the National Program for Technology and Satellites, Oliveri listened to a detailed presentation on the initiative. The delegation also visited the National Center for Mathematics and Physics during which they were briefed on simplified scientific understandings in mathematics and physics and their relationship to a number of vital experiments and competitions designed for students in these two fields.

The visiting minister was also briefed on National Water Technology, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's nine-year initiative for water desalination using solar power, which is under implementation over three phases to cover all water desalination stations in the Kingdom. They also showcased the advantages of this initiative from an economic point of view and its positive impact on the country.

The minister expressed appreciation for the scientific advancement in the Kingdom in various sectors, praising KACST's vital role in developing students and educating them on basic principles in science, technology and innovation.