Introduction

The Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research was established in 1986/1406 as the “Center for Desert Studies”, by administrative decree no. 12873 on 3/7/1986 (25/10/1406) as an independent administrative unit attached directly to the rector of King Saud University. Due to the commitment of Saudi Arabia’s government, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to establish specialized research centers to engage with the vital issues connected with the general aridity of its desert environment. The center was established with the goal of designing and conducting scientific research into desert development and combating desertification in the Arabian Peninsula, and particularly Saudi Arabia.

Then, the Higher Education Board issued decree no. 18/18/1421, ratified by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and chairman of the Board of Education on 19/6/2000 (17/3/1421) to change the name of the center to the “Prince Sultan Center for Environmental, Water and Desert Research. Then, the Higher Education Board issued decree no. 52/66/1432, ratified by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and chairman of the Board of Education on 16/10/2011 (18/1/1432) to change the name  to the “Prince Sultan Institute of Environmental, Water and Desert Research”

Vision

Excellence and leadership in the fields of environmental, water and desert research.

Mission

To carry out and support theoretical and applied environmental, water and desert research, to achieve excellence in the development and management of water resources through the nationalization and development of new technologies, to provide consultation and training services, to provide scientific supervision for the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water, to provide specialized graduate programs, and to establish vital, strategic, and broad-based partnerships.

Objectives

1. To achieve excellence in the development and management of water resources.
2. To secure and retain the highest qualified specialists in the Institute’s various research fields.
3. To develop the Institute’s infrastructure, technological capabilities, and knowledge base.
4. To promote studies and research efforts related to the environment, water, and desert-related fields, and to encourage the employment of new technologies and renewable energy sources to realize sustainability.
5. To build bridges with the broader community by providing consultation services, studies, and research.
6. To establish strategic partnerships both within the Arab world and further abroad.
7. To initiate specialized graduate programs to achieve technology transfer, the nationalization of technological capabilities, and a cadre of qualified Saudi specialists.
8. To increase the Institute’s financial resources.

Tasks of the Institute

1. Design and carry out scientific research related to the arid regions, particularly those that focus on environmental, water, and desert topics.
2. Support scientific research carried out by concerned parties at KSU related to environmental, water, and desert topics.
3. Coordinate and cooperate with concerned parties at KSU and elsewhere in conducting studies, carrying out research, and engaging in other activities related to environmental, water, and desert topics.
4. Collect and verify data pertaining to the environment, water, and the desert and presenting it in a practical and immediately accessible manner.
5. Utilize new technologies, particularly remote sensing and GIS, in the study of the desert environment.
6. Organize conferences, meetings, seminars, and workshops on environmental, water, and desert topics.
7. Prepare training courses to provide people with various skills and qualifications needed to engage in environmental, water, and  desert research, as well as remote sensing technologies.
8. Provide professional consultations and technical support for researchers and students at KSU and elsewhere.
9. Publish research and other scientific works which are pertinent to the activities of the Institute.
10. Support and develop the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water by hosting the Prize’s general Secretariat at the Institute.

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Contact Information

Organizational Structure