The annual KIAB meeting puts research, education and economic development at the center of a discussion with KAUST industry partners to identify collaboration opportunities. The KIAB board is chaired by industry representatives who convene to present the latest research activities at KAUST and provide insight on research relevant to industry needs.  This year, as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, KAUST will be hosting the KIAB meeting virtually. The theme for this year’s KIAB will be COVID-19, and one of the specific outcomes is to share the challenges that KAUST and our partners faced, as a way to identify further research collaborations to combat the pandemic.