CEREM at King Saud University Engages with National Water and Industry Stakeholders at IFAT Saudi Arabia 2026

The Center of Excellence for Research in Engineering Materials (CEREM) at King Saud University (KSU) participated in the International Forum for Innovations in Water, Energy, and Environment Technologies (IFAT) Saudi Arabia 2026, held from 26 to 28 January 2026, marking an important step in the University’s engagement with national and international stakeholders in the water, energy, and environmental sectors.

The participation was conducted in coordination with the Water Academy and the Saudi Water Authority, providing a high-level platform for scientific exchange and dialogue between academia, industry representatives, and government entities. This engagement reflects King Saud University’s strategic direction toward strengthening the relevance of academic research to national priorities, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The engagement took place under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Ibrahim, Director of CEREM, whose strategic oversight has been instrumental in positioning the Center as a national reference point for applied materials research, capacity building, and future industry-oriented initiatives. Under his direction, CEREM continues to advance research activities that address real-world challenges while maintaining strong academic foundations.

During IFAT Saudi Arabia 2026, CEREM faculty members delivered technical presentations that showcased the Center’s research capabilities, advanced infrastructure, and interdisciplinary expertise across materials engineering, water technologies, and sustainable energy systems. The presentations highlighted CEREM’s readiness to contribute scientifically to emerging challenges faced by water utilities, infrastructure developers, and sustainability-driven industries.

Dr. Mohammad R. Karim, presented research on advanced nanofiber membrane technologies for wastewater treatment and reuse, emphasizing innovative materials design approaches relevant to sustainable water management. Dr. Mushtaq A. Dar presented work on transforming desalination waste into functional materials for sustainable sodium-ion energy storage, introducing circular-economy concepts that link water systems with energy-transition objectives. Dr. Asiful H. Seikh, presented work on selecting the Right Materials for Water Network Integrity for reducing Non-Revenue Water.

The participation enabled constructive interaction with policymakers, industry professionals, and technology developers, facilitating knowledge exchange and helping identify future research directions of mutual interest. While no formal collaborations were established at this stage, the engagement represents an important foundational step toward potential academia-industry partnerships.

Through its participation at IFAT Saudi Arabia 2026, King Saud University, through CEREM, reaffirmed its commitment to impactful research, national engagement, and contribution to sustainable solutions for water security and energy resilience while strengthening its visibility within the Kingdom’s innovation and industrial ecosystem.