His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Prince of Riyadh Region — may Allah protect him — inaugurated on Monday, 15 December 2025, the first research chair at Shaqra University, titled the "Prince Faisal bin Bandar Chair for Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Smart Cities," at his office at the Emirate of Riyadh, in the presence of Shaqra University President Dr. Ali bin Mohammed Al-Saif and a number of the University's leaders.
The research chair aims to encourage the innovation and development of intelligent systems for operating cities, enhancing quality of life, and enabling faster and more accurate data-driven decision-making in the fields of mobility and traffic, energy and water, security, safety and crisis management, environment and quality of life, as well as health and services, and planning and decision-making. These fields are linked to the programs of Saudi Vision 2030, and fall within the National Transformation Program — which encompasses digital transformation and smart services — the Quality of Life Program in developing smart and sustainable environments, and the Human Capability Development Program in building a knowledge-based economy grounded in research and innovation.
For his part, Dr. Al-Saif extended his thanks, on his own behalf and on behalf of the University's leadership, staff, and students, to His Royal Highness for his substantial support of the University and his donation to establish its first research chair, expressing appreciation for His Highness's continuous support of the University and its research ecosystem, and wishing him continued success.
Al-Saif affirmed that His Highness's support for the University embodies his profound vision of the importance of research and innovation in building the cities of the future, and reflects his confidence — may Allah protect him — in Shaqra University's capacity to contribute effectively to the priorities of national transformation and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The University President explained that this research chair represents a valuable addition to the University's scientific research ecosystem, and supports the University's researchers and students in achieving excellence in this field — contributing to the development of practical, applied solutions that create a tangible and positive impact on the lives of residents within cities.