Omar Kutbi serves as the Associate Director of Engagement and Partnerships at the National Transformation Institute at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). In this role, he leads the development of strategic partnerships with key government entities and industry leaders to expand KAUST’s national impact and strengthen its contribution to Vision 2030. His work focuses on translating KAUST’s research, talent, and innovation capabilities into high value collaborations that support national transformation priorities.

Omar also plays a central role in institutional governance. He serves as the Secretary of the NTI Advisory Committee and the Secretary of the KAUST Partnership Oversight Committee, ensuring structured decision making, alignment across stakeholders, and effective stewardship of KAUST’s partnership portfolio.

Beyond KAUST, Omar contributes to several national platforms. He is a Council Member of the Industrial Council and the Trade and Commerce Council at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a member of the Judging Committee for the National Innovation Award (Ibtakir) for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 editions, and a Judging Committee member for the Energy Efficiency Award (Kafa’a) in 2025 and 2026. Through these roles, he supports national innovation, industrial development, and emerging technology adoption.

Within KAUST, Omar has held several pivotal positions over more than thirteen years of service. As SME Innovation Services Manager, he established the first university based unit in Saudi Arabia dedicated to enabling small and medium sized enterprises to adopt innovation, integrate advanced 4IR technologies, and leverage KAUST’s research and infrastructure. Prior to that, he served as a Tenant Affairs Officer at the KAUST Research and Technology Park, managing strategic accounts including SABIC’s R&I Center and Red Sea Farms. Earlier, he worked as an Industry Relations Officer at the KAUST Industry Collaboration Program, overseeing major engagement platforms such as the KAUST Industry Advisory Board, the KAUST Research Symposium, and the KAUST Career Fair.

Across these roles, Omar has built a comprehensive portfolio spanning industry engagement, research and innovation enablement, startup and SME support, tenancy management, and corporate partnership development. His work consistently bridges KAUST’s scientific capabilities with national and global industry needs.

Before joining KAUST, Omar worked in the industrial packaging sector at Greif Inc., a global leader in packaging solutions, where he served as General Manager of Sales and Administration in Saudi Arabia. With more than 24 years of experience across national and international organizations, he has developed deep expertise in innovation, business development, sales, accounting, and auditing.