1. Proposed Program Industrial Exposure Exposure for ME Faculty Presented By The Dean, College of Engineering Science.

2. Background The ME Department recommends establishment of a proper mechanism that allows ME faculty to work in industry for adequate industrial exposure and familiarity with local industry's needs. The Program is called "The Industrial Exposure Program for ME Faculty". The ME faculty could work in industry through this program.

3. Objectives & Outcomes of the Program Familiarity of ME faculty with the problems and challenges that face the local industry. Direct contact of the ME faculty with the local industry through the proposed program will reflect on the quality of teaching in the ME Department. It will bring real life examples to the classroom.

4. It will help the ME Department in identifying the areas to be addressed during revising and updating the ME academic programs. Industry is expected to benefit through receiving consulting or contract research projects from the participating faculty. This will lead to directing ME Department's faculty research and short courses towards dealing with the problems that face the industry in Saudi Arabia.

5. The Saudi industry can benefit from ME faculty in evaluating and selecting the appropriate technologies to be used during their facilities development or expansion stages. In brief, the proposed program could help in making the teaching and research of the ME Department relevant to the needs of the local Saudi industry while providing the needed advising and contract research services to industry.

6. Procedure of Implementation The ME faculty can enroll in the program through one of the following means: Spending summer semester (2 months) in industry. Spending one or two days per week in industry (for a period of one year). Spending one or two semesters in industry during sabbatical leave.

7. Funding The program could be funded through one of the following means: Shared funding from both the University and Industry. Funded research projects. Funds from industry and Ministry of Higher Education. A Faculty can work with a company as part of a research project agreement.

8. Final Remarks The support of KFUPM is essential to enable faculty to be exposed to the local industry. This program is very vital for the ME faculty. It can also be utilized by faculty from other technical disciplines in the university. Having the proper means of implementation is vital to the success of this program.