The establishment of a recreational center with scientific specifications that encompasses the latest advancements in science and knowledge in various scientific fields has long been a dream for the city of Riyadh, which continues to witness unprecedented development. This vision was led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect him – when he was the Governor of Riyadh, after the Kingdom's participation in the Discovery Space Shuttle mission in 1985 (1405 AH).
**Completion of the First Phase:**
This idea gradually took shape and has now reached the current point of completion of the first phase of the King Salman Oasis for Science project. In this report, the Saudi Press Agency highlights the stages that the King Salman Oasis for Science has gone through, starting with its inauguration by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect him – when he was the Governor of the Riyadh Region at the temporary science oasis in the Diplomatic Quarter in 1995 (1415 AH).
In 1997 (1418 AH), King Salman approved the formation of a committee for the science oasis. He also directed in 2002 (1422 AH) to incorporate the oasis within the Riyadh Charity Foundation for Science as a financially and administratively independent entity.
**Land Allocation:**
In 2005 (1425 AH), an official approval was issued to allocate land for the King Salman Oasis for Science, located at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology on King Abdullah Road in Riyadh, covering an area of 200,000 square meters. In 2010 (1431 AH), the oasis adopted a pioneering integrative model that brought together the government, private, and third sectors into a unified system to establish and operate the oasis with mechanisms that ensure sustainability and various institutional goals.
King Salman also sponsored the laying of the foundation stone for the first phase of the King Salman Oasis for Science in the same year, during the celebration, he accepted to be the honorary president of the oasis. The subsequent stages of the Oasis saw the signing of a contract for the exhibits in 2015 (1436 AH) and the completion of the initial scientific halls, specifically the Energy and Life halls, in 2018 (1439 AH).
This year, 1443 AH, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region, inaugurated the first phase of the King Salman Oasis for Science.
**A Hub for Knowledge:**
The "oasis" has become a hub for knowledge and science, serving as a scientific, cultural, and tourist destination that contributes to the dissemination of applied sciences, supports innovation, and showcases investment opportunities in the knowledge economy. This aligns with empowering the community to participate in the “Partner” program launched by His Highness the Crown Prince in 2021. Furthermore, the oasis fulfills the national objectives led and overseen by His Highness the Crown Prince, who is the head of the Supreme Committee for Research, Development, and Innovation in the field of research and innovation.
The King Salman Oasis for Science in Riyadh has thus become a prominent landmark in the city, a shining scientific beacon recognized by all.
