Mentor Graphics, KACST to develop electronics design technology

WILSONVILLE, USA: Mentor Graphics and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Saudi Arabia have announced their co-operation for the promotion and development of Electronics Design Technology in Saudi Arabia.

This co-operation is based on the agreement signed by both parties to establish the Advanced Microelectronics Technology Center (AMTC) at KACST. This Center will contribute to the Saudi National Strategic Plan through the Advanced Technology Program (ATP), the Professional Training Program (PTP) and the Incubation Support Program (ISP).

These programs are the first steps of cooperation between KACST and Mentor Graphics, with more programs running under KACST’s AMTC to be initiated later. Under the initial agreement, Mentor Graphics will provide comprehensive design automation software as well as consulting and training services.

As part of the agreement, the company will cooperate with government bodies, as well as extend its university outreach program in Saudi Arabia.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has developed a strategic national science and technology plan to be carried out over the next 20 years. KACST was assigned the responsibility of planning and managing the execution of the Science and Technology plan. This plan promotes and encourages research in many areas, a very important one being advanced technology in microelectronics,” explained Prince Turki Saud Mohamed Al-Saud, Vice President for research at KACST.

“Mentor Graphics, one of the leading companies in the Electronics Design Automation (EDA) industry in the region through its Egyptian Development Center established in 1995, is pleased to be able to help build the Advanced Microelectronics Technology Center (AMTC). This co-operation framework will promote and encourage electronics design in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Gregory K. Hinckley, President of Mentor Graphics.

Dr. Sami Alhamidi, the Electronics, Communications and Photonics Program Director at KACST, emphasizes: “In order to initiate and establish an innovation cycle in the field of electronics design, the electronics community in the kingdom must become proficient with state-of-the-art electronic technologies.

"Therefore, one of the principal drivers for the successful implementation of the microelectronics R&D plan is the cooperation with world-class global companies specialized in EDA technologies such as Mentor Graphics.”

“To support KACST in building their expertise in electronic design methodologies, Mentor Graphics will provide access to certain expertise that already exists in its branch in Egypt. Our consulting division will also provide its knowledge and experience to selected teams at KACST and will cooperate on research in advanced technology areas with KACST and local universities,” explains Dr. Hazem Eltahawy, Managing Director of the Egypt operation.