The establishment of a National Transformation Institute (NTI) was a key pillar of the new KAUST Strategy, with the core purpose of accelerating technology development and commercialization to support the Kingdoms' economic diversification aspirations. This will be achieved through direct alignment with Vision 2030 and RDI pillars, building on and enhancing the existing innovation ecosystem, and unlocking further opportunities for synergies and funding between KAUST, Industry, Academia and Government. The newly formed NTI consolidates KAUST Innovation, as well as major technology projects and multi-disciplinary initiatives across KAUST, such as: KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative, the world’s largest coral reef restoration project at Shushah Island in NEOM; KAUST SMART initiative, a digital testbed for smart technology and infrastructure and; Beacon Development, KAUST’s in-house consulting capability, providing expertise and know-how to solve specific problems facing industry and government partners in kingdom.