KAUST's Saudi Summer Internship (SSI) program hosted 29 undergraduate students from Saudi universities this year, up from just 6 students five years ago. The students were assigned to CEMSE labs for 8-12 weeks, conducting research alongside KAUST faculty. At the end of the program, the students participated in a poster competition to present their work. Why it matters: This program fosters local talent in STEM fields and strengthens KAUST's ties with other Saudi universities.
The KAUST Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) has hosted over 210 interns since 2014, offering research experience with faculty and facilities. Interns, typically in their baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate studies, stay between three and six months. Several interns, like Mariana Prazeres who researched the Hamilton Jacobi equation, have pursued further studies at KAUST. Why it matters: The VSRP program at KAUST serves as a pipeline for attracting international talent to Saudi Arabia and fostering interest in STEM fields.
Four students from the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) conducted summer research at KAUST in areas like solar cells, nanomaterials, composite membranes, and computational fluid mechanics. The students, who attend universities in the US, worked with KAUST faculty like Osman Bakr, Iman Roqan, Klaus-Viktor Peinemann and Ravi Samtaney. The KGSP program supports Saudi students studying science and engineering and prepares them for graduate studies at KAUST. Why it matters: This program helps KAUST attract top Saudi talent by providing research opportunities and encouraging students to pursue advanced degrees in STEM fields within the Kingdom.
KAUST hosted the 15th cohort of the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) for a pre-departure orientation. The KGSP, founded in 2008, provides support for Saudi students to study STEM fields in the U.S. with the expectation that they will pursue graduate studies at KAUST and contribute to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Why it matters: The KGSP serves as a key pipeline for talent development and ensures that Saudi students gain international experience before returning to contribute to the Kingdom's research and development ecosystem.
The Saudi Research Science Institute (SRSI) is preparing for its fifth annual summer program at KAUST, offering Saudi high school students university-level research experience under faculty mentorship. The program aims to introduce students to STEM fields and inspire them to pursue related education and careers. Lamees Alshaikh, a 2014 participant, conducted research on algae hormone biosynthesis, and Prof. Al Babili noted SRSI's role in recruiting top students to KAUST. Why it matters: This program cultivates domestic talent in STEM, directly contributing to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals for a diversified, knowledge-based economy.