KAUST alumnus Ahmad Al-Showail has been appointed dean of the College of Computer Science and IT at the University of Prince Mugrin (UPM) in Madinah. Al-Showail, who graduated from KAUST with a Ph.D. in wireless networking after studying at KFUPM, also founded a startup called "Zayer," a cloud platform for educational tours in Madinah. He participated in the TAQADAM startup accelerator program at KAUST in partnership with SABB. Why it matters: This appointment highlights the growing impact of KAUST alumni in shaping the academic landscape and fostering innovation within Saudi Arabia's emerging universities.
KAUST founding alumnus Ahmad Showail has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to conduct IoT research at UC Irvine with Dr. Faisal Nawab. Showail, who earned master's and Ph.D. degrees from KAUST, submitted a proposal on secure and private Internet-of-Things using SGX cloud architecture. He credits KAUST with shaping him as a researcher and helping him develop skills in writing journal papers and pursuing impactful issues. Why it matters: This award highlights the quality of KAUST graduates and the potential for KAUST alumni to contribute to solving challenges in Saudi Arabia, such as managing crowd movements during Hajj and Umrah.
KAUST alumni participated in a beach cleaning event in Thuwal as part of the Alumni Reunion Weekend in November 2016. Alumnus Ahmad Showail presented his startup zayer.net at an alumni panel. Gordon McConnell, manager of the Entrepreneurship Center, was a keynote speaker at the event. Why it matters: This event highlights KAUST's ongoing engagement with its alumni network and its support for entrepreneurship.
KAUST has announced the winners of the KAUST Alumni Change Makers Awards, recognizing alumni impacts at local, national, and international levels. The awards honor alumni in Leadership and Impact; Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and Social Impact. Ahmad Showail, a KAUST alumnus and assistant professor at Taibah University, received the Leadership and Impact award for his work on IoT security solutions. Why it matters: The awards highlight the impact of KAUST's graduates in advancing technology and contributing to Saudi Arabia's development.
KAUST is addressing the cybersecurity skills gap in Saudi Arabia through programs like the Cybersecurity Specialization program in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Authority. KAUST alumnus Jameel Showail emphasizes the growing need for qualified Saudi cybersecurity professionals due to national security concerns and increasing digitization. He highlights that cybersecurity is crucial for protecting against AI-related threats and ensuring data integrity. Why it matters: As Saudi Arabia rapidly digitizes and integrates AI, KAUST's role in developing local cybersecurity talent becomes increasingly vital for safeguarding critical systems and data.
Ahmad Alabdulghani, a KAUST master's student in Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering, is studying fluid flow mechanisms in heterogeneous media under the supervision of Professor Hussein Hoteit. Alabdulghani is a member of the Advanced Reservoir Modeling and Simulation (ARMS) research group at ANPERC. He previously worked at Saudi Aramco's EXPEC Advanced Research Center and aims to pursue a doctorate at KAUST. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in developing Saudi talent for the energy sector and fostering collaboration between academia and industry.
KAUST Professor of Electrical Engineering Ahmed Eltawil has been elected a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The NAI Senior Member program recognizes faculty with success in patents, licensing, and commercialization. Eltawil's research focuses on efficient architectures for computing and communications systems, including wireless, mobile, sensor networks, and machine learning. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's innovative ecosystem and Eltawil's contributions to advancing computing and communication technologies in the region.
KAUST and the King Faisal Prize (KFP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on October 10, 2019 to promote the exchange of information and expertise. The collaboration includes hosting joint conferences, lectures, and events. KFP will benefit from KAUST's scientists to assist in its selection procedures. Why it matters: This partnership between a leading Saudi university and a prestigious international prize strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a hub for scientific research and innovation.