KACST Launches Academic Roaming Service to Connect Researchers to Global Networks

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) launched the Academic Roaming Service, enabling members of participating institutions to securely and easily access the internet at educational and research institutions both within the Kingdom and abroad using their institutional identity providers (IdPs) in more than 100 countries worldwide.
 The service is provided through KACST’s Saudi Research and Innovation Network, “Maeen Network,” the national enabler for connecting the Kingdom’s scientific and research community to the world via an advanced digital infrastructure that enhances communication, facilitates knowledge exchange, and supports the Kingdom's journey in research, development, and innovation.
 According to a press release issued by the KACST, the service aims to enable researchers, faculty members, and scholarship students to stay connected to their digital resources and securely access research tools and educational platforms with high reliability. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration and integration among local and international educational, research, and innovation institutions.
 The service facilitates access to academic and research resources, protects data, supports international research collaboration, and reduces technical and administrative burdens on host institutions. It also supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by empowering the research, development, and innovation ecosystem; promoting digital transformation; providing an integrated technology environment; and building an advanced digital economy led by national competencies.
 The launch of the Academic Roaming Service coincided with an event organized by KACST to celebrate World Internet Day, marking a milestone in human history and the dawn of the modern digital era with the emergence of the internet. The event highlighted KACST's pioneering role in supporting the research and academic sectors in the Kingdom, reinforcing its efforts to enable digital transformation projects and raise awareness of the importance of the internet and its applications in scientific and knowledge-based fields.
 The release added that visitors, including school and university students, community members, and technology enthusiasts, attended workshops and an exhibition featuring more than ten entities from the public and private sectors. They explored the latest digital innovations, artificial intelligence applications, and emerging internet technologies, such as the Internet of Things, and experienced interactive digital simulations through virtual reality.
 At the conclusion of the event, President of KACST Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud El-Desouki presented membership accreditation certificates to 24 entities that joined the Maeen Network for Identity Federation after meeting the required criteria and protocols. The membership enables these institutions to enjoy unified research access to global information networks and resources.
 The accredited entities include Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, King Saud University, Qassim University, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Najran University, University of Tabuk, Jouf University, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Jazan University, King Khalid University, Taif University, Al-Baha University, King Faisal University, Prince Sultan University, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh Elm University, Mustaqbal University, Sulaiman Al Rajhi University, Effat University, Al-Hikma University, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, King Fahd Medical City, and the Saudi Press Agency.