The Dow Chemical Company and the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) has announced the signing of a commercial agreement for research collaboration. Dow and SWCC's first action after this agreement will be to launch a pilot project to test the suitability of innovative desalination technologies for conditions in the Gulf. The announcement follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in March 2012 between Dow and SWCC to conduct joint research in desalination technologies.
Dow and SWCC will partner to test state-of-the-art desalination technologies developed by Dow Water & Process Solutions (DW&PS), evaluating their performance in the Gulf's unique environment, including their ability to effectively handle factors such as high salinity and high temperatures. The tests will be conducted by the Saline Water Desalination Research Institute (SWDRI) in Jubail over a period of one year.
"We are looking forward to this opportunity to test the effectiveness of Dow's innovative ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis technologies in the conditions we work with, in the Gulf," said SWDRI Director Ibrahim Al-Tisan. "As the sole producer of desalinated water in Saudi Arabia, we are looking at cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways to boost our operational efficiencies and the quality of our product. Our decision to partner with Dow and explore the possibility of introducing new, more effective, technologies, reflects this commitment."
SWCC is a Saudi government body responsible for desalinating seawater to augment the supply of potable water to coastal and inland cities in the Kingdom. It is the largest desalinated water producer in the world with 32 desalination plants that are responsible for 18 percent of the world's desalinated water production.
"We welcome this opportunity to further prove the effectiveness of Dow UltraFiltration and Dow FILMTE Reverse Osmosis (RO) technologies in the challenging environmental conditions we see in the Gulf.
We are proud to partner with SWCC and confident our innovations will deliver enhanced solutions for the unique needs of the Kingdom," said Ilham Kadri, GM, Dow Advanced Materials, MEA, and commercial director, Dow Water & Process Solutions (DW&PS), Europe and MEA.
SWCC, Dow sign deal for research links
SWCC, Dow sign deal for research links
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
