Areej Aljarb is a Ph.D. student in material science and engineering at KAUST, researching 2D materials within the KAUST 2D Materials Research Lab under Professors Lain-Jong Li and Xixiang Zhang. Her research focuses on the controlled growth and fundamental phenomena of two-dimensional atomic layer thin materials, specifically controlling the orientation of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Aljarb aims to achieve single-orientation epitaxial monolayer 2D TMDs to fully utilize the potential of these materials. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's commitment to fostering local talent and contributing to advanced materials research with potential applications in various technology sectors.
Researchers introduce ALARB, a new benchmark for evaluating reasoning in Arabic LLMs using 13K Saudi commercial court cases. The benchmark includes tasks like verdict prediction, reasoning chain completion, and identification of relevant regulations. Instruction-tuning a 12B parameter model on ALARB achieves performance comparable to GPT-4o in verdict prediction and generation.
KAUST is highlighted for its commitment to multidisciplinary research, innovation, and strong leadership, particularly regarding women's education. The university was the first mixed-gender university in Saudi Arabia, with women comprising around 40% of its student population. KAUST actively recruits female faculty members and appoints them to leadership positions, demonstrated through workshops like Women in Science and Engineering (WISE). Why it matters: This underscores the increasing role of women in STEM fields within Saudi Arabia, facilitated by institutions like KAUST.
KAUST alumnus Khalid A. Al-Jabr, who received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from KAUST in 2014, is a reliability engineering specialist at Saudi Aramco's Consulting Services Department. Al-Jabr helped establish the Saudi Aramco Corrosion Management Hub and improve reliability culture within the company. In 2018, he received the Engineering Excellence Award from the Saudi Council of Engineers for his achievements. Why it matters: The recognition of KAUST alumni in key industrial roles highlights the university's contribution to developing talent and expertise for Saudi Arabia's strategic sectors.
KAUST Ph.D. student Reem Alghamdi is working at the KAUST Catalysis Center to improve the quality of industrially used polyethylene. Her research focuses on synthesizing a nanocomposite of polyethylene and nanomaterials to reinforce industrially made polymers, improving their mechanical characteristics. The resulting hybrid organic-inorganic product minimizes manufacturing defects, enhancing hardness. Why it matters: This research has the potential to significantly improve the durability and performance of polymer products across various sectors, from automotive to construction, impacting numerous industries in the region and beyond.
Najwa Aaraj, Chief Researcher at the Cryptography Research Centre at TII, has joined MBZUAI as the first female faculty member in the Machine Learning Department. Aaraj leads R&D of cryptographic technologies, including post-quantum cryptography and lightweight cryptographic libraries. Her research will focus on the intersection of cryptography, cybersecurity, and machine learning, including using ML for cryptanalysis and protecting ML models with cryptography. Why it matters: This appointment strengthens MBZUAI's expertise in a critical area of AI security and cryptography, fostering cross-disciplinary research and innovation in the UAE.
KAUST highlights postdoctoral fellows Yi Jin Liew, Isabelle Schulz, Maren Ziegler and Neus Garcias Bonet outside the University Library. The article mentions King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1924 – 2015). It encourages applications to KAUST's Discovery Postdoctoral program. Why it matters: This brief announcement signals KAUST's ongoing investment in attracting international research talent to Saudi Arabia.