KAUST ·
KAUST held a Bay Area alumni dinner in San Francisco. This was the first of a series of planned events for KAUST alumni. The event aimed to connect KAUST graduates in the Bay Area. Why it matters: Building alumni networks can strengthen KAUST's reputation and facilitate collaborations with international tech hubs.
KAUST ·
KAUST alumnus Fahad Hossain (M.S. 2010, Ph.D. 2014) discusses his journey from KAUST to UC Berkeley, where he co-founded Serinus Labs Inc., a manufacturer of integrated silicon gas sensors. Serinus Labs develops gas-sensing solutions for air-quality monitoring, safety, and preventive healthcare. NASA became Serinus' first customer in 2018, contracting them to develop multi-gas sensors for the next generation of spacesuits. Why it matters: This highlights the impact of KAUST graduates in developing advanced sensor technologies and securing partnerships with leading organizations like NASA.
KAUST ·
KAUST hosted a Global IT Summit. The summit featured speakers like Khaled Biyari, group CEO at the Saudi Telecom Company. Interviews from the summit are available on KAUST's official YouTube channel. Why it matters: The summit likely served as a forum for discussing IT trends and developments relevant to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
KAUST ·
KAUST held its fifth annual KAUST Saudi Leadership Program (KSLP) in collaboration with the Haas School of Business of UC Berkeley. The 2018 KSLP edition included workshops and a six-day training course for 25 Saudi female academics in leadership and deanship positions. Participants reviewed strategic planning, team management, and effective executive leadership, and attended lectures by KAUST's senior leadership. Why it matters: Such programs contribute to developing leadership capabilities within Saudi academic institutions, fostering a stronger educational ecosystem in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
KAUST ·
KAUST held a KAUST-U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Conference on Environmental Monitoring from November 6 to 8, 2017. The conference focused on sustainability with an emphasis on environmental monitoring and sensing, including data collection, signal processing, and real-time decision-making. Keynote speakers included Ali Sayed (EPFL), Allen Tannenbaum (SUNY Stony Brook), and Dinesh Manocha. Why it matters: Such conferences foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange in applying AI and related technologies to pressing environmental challenges in Saudi Arabia and globally.
KAUST ·
KAUST hosted the "Human-Machine Networks and Intelligent Infrastructures" conference, co-organized by Prof. Jeff Shamma and Asst. Prof. Meriem Laleg. The conference explored the blend of engineered devices and human elements in large-scale systems like smart grids. Keynote speaker Dr. Pramod Khargonekar discussed cyber-physical-social systems and emerging trends. Why it matters: The conference highlights the growing importance of understanding the interplay between AI, infrastructure, and human behavior in the development of smart cities and intelligent systems in the region.
MBZUAI ·
UC Berkeley professor Michael I. Jordan will lead a session on AI, Machine Learning and Economy as part of the MBZUAI Executive Program. The program is headed by MBZUAI President Eric Xing and includes 42 participants from ministerial leadership and top industry executives. The 12-week program aims to support the UAE's AI leadership mission through education, capacity building, innovation, and R&D. Why it matters: The involvement of a prominent academic figure like Jordan highlights the UAE's commitment to attracting global expertise in AI education and solidifying its position as an AI hub.