King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) hosted today at its headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi scientist Professor Omar Yaghi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, in a scientific meeting with students of the Mawhiba Enrichment Research Program 2026, in the presence of His Excellency the President of KACST and Acting Governor of the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Al-Desouqi, and a number of research, development and innovation leaders.

During the meeting, Professor Yaghi reviewed milestones in his scientific career, explaining that from the beginning he chose to focus on studying scientific problems that many considered unsolvable, and continued working on them despite skepticism from some academic circles about the feasibility of those researches, until he discovered in 1995 a new group in the field of reticular chemistry and developed metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), an achievement that cemented his scientific standing and culminated in winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2025.

He pointed out that his scientific career was based on renewed beginnings, as he viewed each stage as an opportunity to start with the mindset of a researcher who begins from scratch and continuously develops his knowledge and experience, believing that continuous learning remains the foundation of success no matter how great the achievements.

He explained that independent thinking and avoiding imitation of others are among the foundations of research work, as the researcher forges his scientific path through his ideas, experience, and courage in asking questions and working on research issues that have not been previously addressed, noting that his early days in the lab witnessed many unsuccessful experiments that drove him to continue research to achieve discoveries. Professor Yaghi emphasized that scientific progress requires continuous search for environments that provide opportunities for discovery and innovation through working with an elite group of researchers around the world, continuing to learn, and investing in opportunities that contribute to building and strengthening research expertise. The meeting concluded with an open dialogue between Dr. Yaghi and the talented program students, during which he answered participants' questions about scientific research in chemistry, building the academic profile of the researcher, as well as developing research and experimental skills, and the importance of passion and hard work to achieve scientific accomplishments. This meeting comes within KACST’s efforts to support national talents, connect them with global scientific expertise, and provide a stimulating environment for research and innovation, thereby enhancing their research capabilities and contributing to preparing a generation of researchers capable of contributing to scientific and technical fields of national priority.