Professor Halim Hamid, PhD, MSc, PE is the Professor of Chemical Engineering and Assistant Supervisor for Dhahran techno-Valley at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM). His educational background is in the areas of Chemical Engineering and Polymers. He received his Ph.D. from The City University, London in 1988.

During his professional career spanning more than twenty-five years, he has been active in teaching, research and consulting in the topics related to Gasoline Oxygenates (MTBE, ETBE, TAME, TBA, TAEE, DIPE, Ethanol & Methanol), Catalysts, Petroleum Refining, Petrochemicals, and Polymer Degradation. He is involved in teaching regular courses and short courses in KFUPM and he was the Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Alaska, USA.

In addition to teaching and research, Prof. Hamid's main contribution in the last five years is in establishing an entrepreneurial culture in the University where he is involved in Dhahran Techno-Valley and establishment of Science Park. He was also involved in the establishment of research programs that became the areas of excellence for KFUPM. These programs are in the areas of Heavy Oil Upgrading, novel petroleum refining process and Polymer Degradation. The projects resulting from these programs generated multi million US $ funding for KFUPM from industrial clients, such as, Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Nippon oil, Japan, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Switzerland, etc.

Prof. Hamid's specific contribution was in the in the field of Heavy Oil Upgrading in an international project jointly conducted by the Japanese and KFUPM since 1995. The project resulted in patent on catalyst system that can be commercialized. At present he is involved in an international project by Japan Cooperation Center of Petroleum (JCCP) and KFUPM in the field of developing a novel process for FCC. The pilot plant studies of this project ended with promising results that led to the demonstration plant studies (30 barrels per day) in a local Saudi refinery's premises. At present the developed process is in the state of licensing and commercialization to international oil refining industry.

Prof. Hamid has done some pioneering work in the area of UV induced degradation of polymers in harsh climates. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has awarded him letter of appreciation and a citation of excellence for his work in ozone depletion and the effect of increased UV radiation on polymers. He has also established a long-term joint project with Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Switzerland since 2002. He was the recipient of the 1992-93 KFUPM-RI Distinguished Researcher Award.

Prof. Hamid has one patent from Japan and published more then 100 papers in refereed journals, conference proceedings, chapters in books, and other trade journals. He has also published three books with a USA publisher. His book " Handbook of MTBE and Other Gasoline Oxygenates " published by Marcel Dekker, New York in 2004 is the major reference in MTBE for universities, researchers, engineers, chemists and Oil and Gas industry worldwide.