Aramco's top technology officer says oil giant leads global innovation wave amid surge in patents

Aramco’s focus on advancing sustainability technologies has led to one of the lowest crude oil production carbon intensities among all significant producers globally.
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Updated 27 April 2022
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Aramco's top technology officer says oil giant leads global innovation wave amid surge in patents

Energy giant Aramco has consolidated its position as the leading innovator in the oil and gas sector and featured in the top 50 list of all companies and universities granted patents by the US patent and trademark office said a senior company official.

“Until 2011, we had only been granted 100 US patents over a period of 78 years. In 2021 alone, we were awarded 864 patents — ranking us first in the oil and gas industry and in the top 50 list of all companies and universities that received US patents in 2021,” Aramco’s Chief Technology Officer Ahmad Al-Khowaiter told Arab News.

Ahmad Al-Khowaiter

The patents come when developing energy breakthroughs are more critical than ever. The demand for low-carbon energy and sustainable practices has resulted in a pressing need for new technologies and scientific advancements.

“Over the past 20 years, we invested heavily in innovation as part of our corporate culture to improve our operations’ long-term sustainability and efficiency, which resulted in a rapid growth of our patent portfolio,” said Al-Khowaiter.

Aramco’s focus on advancing sustainability technologies has led to one of the lowest crude oil production carbon intensities among all significant producers globally.

Also notable is its focus on simulation and modeling, advanced materials, and artificial intelligence, adding to the breadth of its research and technology capabilities.

“While patents are a leading indicator of innovation, the ultimate goal is to create value by developing competitive solutions for our business and sustainability challenges,” added Al-Khowaiter.


Saudi Arabia leads outcome-based education to prepare future-ready generations: Harvard Business Review

A Harvard sign is seen at the Harvard University campus in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 27, 2025. (AFP)
Updated 10 February 2026
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Saudi Arabia leads outcome-based education to prepare future-ready generations: Harvard Business Review

  • The Riyadh-based school group developed a strategy that links every classroom activity to measurable student competencies, aiming to graduate learners equipped for the digital economy and real-world contexts

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s education system is undergoing a sweeping transformation aligned with Vision 2030, shifting from traditional, input-focused methods to outcome-based education designed to equip students with future-ready skills, Harvard Business Review Arabic reported.

The transformation is being adopted and spearheaded by institutions such as Al-Nobala Private Schools, which introduced the Kingdom’s first national “learning outcomes framework,” aimed at preparing a generation of leaders and innovators for an AI-driven future, the report said.

Al-Nobala has leveraged international expertise to localize advanced learning methodologies.

The Riyadh-based school group developed a strategy that links every classroom activity to measurable student competencies, aiming to graduate learners equipped for the digital economy and real-world contexts. The school’s group approach combines traditional values with 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, communication, innovation and digital fluency.

According to the report, the shift addresses the growing gap between outdated models built for low-tech, resource-constrained environments and today’s dynamic world, where learners must navigate real-time information, virtual platforms, and smart technologies.

“This is not just about teaching content, it’s about creating impact,” the report noted, citing how Al-Nobala’s model prepares students to thrive in an AI-driven world while aligning with national priorities.

The report noted that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has paved the way for this shift by transitioning from a centralized controller to a strategic enabler, allowing schools such as Al-Nobala to tailor their curriculum to meet evolving market and societal needs. This is part of the long-term goal to place the Kingdom among the top 20 global education systems.

Al-Nobala’s work, the report stated, has succeeded in serving the broader national effort to link education outcomes directly to labor market demands, helping to fulfill the Vision 2030 pillar of building a vibrant society with a thriving economy driven by knowledge and innovation.

Last February, Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Saudi Arabia’s minister of education, said that the Kingdom was making “an unprecedented investment in education,” with spending aligned to the needs of growth and development. He said that in 2025, education received the second-largest share of the state budget, totaling $53.5 billion.