Former KAUST President Professor Choon Fong Shih was presented with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) Centennial Medal by Harvard University in May. Shih received his Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Harvard in 1973 and was recognized for his contributions to knowledge and society. He served as the founding president of KAUST from 2008 and previously held positions at the National University of Singapore and GE Corporate Research Lab. Why it matters: The award recognizes the impact of a key figure in KAUST's early development and highlights the university's connection to globally recognized researchers and institutions.
Under the patronage of the Prime Minister, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) celebrated 25 years of collaboration with Harvard Kennedy School. The celebration acknowledged the partnership's role in advancing education and leadership development in Kuwait. Specific details of the collaboration's initiatives were not provided in the summary. Why it matters: Long-term partnerships between regional institutions and global leaders can drive impactful educational and leadership outcomes.