KAUST held its 16th commencement ceremony, graduating 593 students, its largest class ever. The ceremony was attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy and Chair of the KAUST Board of Trustees. Graduates are contributing to Saudi Vision 2030 in areas like AI-powered water monitoring and drought-resilient crops. Why it matters: The growth in KAUST graduates, especially in AI, signals increasing capacity for Saudi Arabia to achieve its Vision 2030 goals and contribute to global scientific advancement.
KAUST celebrated its 15th commencement ceremony in 2024 with a record number of Saudi graduates, comprising nearly 44% of the total 465 graduates. The graduating class also set a new benchmark with the highest number of Saudi females graduating, a 29% increase compared to 2023. Several outstanding graduates were highlighted, including Walla Basylman, who will join the chemistry department faculty at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. Why it matters: This milestone underscores KAUST's increasing role in developing Saudi talent and contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals, particularly in STEM fields.
KAUST held its 14th commencement ceremony, graduating 433 students, with a record 43% being Saudi nationals. President Tony Chan emphasized KAUST's alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, highlighting partnerships with giga-projects like NEOM and the National Transformation Institute. He also spotlighted KAUST's projects like the world’s largest coral nursery and the acquisition of Shaheen III supercomputer. Why it matters: The event underscores KAUST's increasing role in Saudi Arabia's national development agenda and its commitment to fostering local talent in science and technology.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended MBZUAI's 2025 commencement ceremony for 104 graduates across Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing. He congratulated the students and emphasized the UAE's commitment to becoming a global AI hub. The ceremony was attended by several high-profile UAE officials and MBZUAI leadership. Why it matters: This event highlights the UAE's continued investment in AI education and its strategic focus on developing local talent in key AI specializations.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended MBZUAI's 2024 commencement ceremony for 101 graduates. The graduates included PhDs in ML and master's degrees in CV, ML, and NLP. Sheikh Khaled reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to becoming a global AI research and innovation hub, aligned with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. Why it matters: This graduation highlights the UAE's investment in AI education and its ambition to become a leader in AI research and development, training national talent to address global challenges.
MBZUAI held its Class of 2023 commencement ceremony, graduating 59 students with master's degrees in CV, ML, and NLP. The ceremony was attended by UAE officials including Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber. Dr. Al Jaber emphasized AI's role in addressing global challenges and supporting the UAE's economic diversification and sustainability goals. Why it matters: The graduation highlights the UAE's ongoing investment in AI talent development and its focus on leveraging AI to address critical challenges in climate, healthcare, and education.
Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed attended the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) 2025 commencement ceremony. The event celebrated the graduation of students who completed their studies in various AI specializations. Speeches during the ceremony highlighted the university's integral role in fostering AI research and cultivating talent within the UAE. Why it matters: This ceremony reflects the UAE's sustained dedication to developing a skilled AI workforce and reinforcing its position as a leading hub for AI innovation in the region.
KAUST held its 13th commencement ceremony on December 16, 2022, celebrating approximately 380 graduating students. KAUST President Tony Chan challenged graduates to use their talents to shape a better future. He highlighted three outstanding students for their contributions to sustainability and smart cities. Why it matters: While not directly AI-focused, the event underscores KAUST's role in fostering talent and innovation within Saudi Arabia, which indirectly contributes to the Kingdom's growing AI ecosystem.