In their new-found focus on world class science, Gulf states in the Arabian Peninsula have spared no expense in setting up world-class universities with top of the line laboratories. That was the easy part.

The hard part, however, remains attracting worldwide scientific expertise to kick-start these facilities and create the needed science culture to become international research hubs.

The NatureJobs Career Expo, taking place in London on 23rd September, 2010, would be a very good opportunity to search for the science expertise these universities need. The annual event, which is expected to attract more 1,000 attendees, focuses exclusively on the scientific world.

It is the UK’s largest career fair for the science community. However, it attracts an international audience. Among last year’s attendees, 25% came from outside the UK.

The task of attracting international scientific expertise is particularly daunting for universities in the region due to stereotypical views of science and research in the Arab world. This is especially true to a university like the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), which may have a hard time convincing researchers to make the move to Saudi Arabia.

The expo could be a wonderful opportunity to expose researchers to the university, and to dispel many of the fears they have about moving to Saudi Arabia. Exhibiting the vast opportunities researchers have there could attract scientists and researchers better than many other venues.

It is also a wonderful chance to network with the other top players in the science world around the world. Confirmed exhibitors this year already include The Royal Society, DAAD, the European Commission and the European Research Council.

With a mandate to bring their countries to the forefront of the international community, these new Gulf universities will need to make use of such opportunities to increase their exposure, and convince international universities that the move to the Gulf is well worth their efforts.