KAUST has announced the latest recipients of the Ibn Rushd Fellowship Program, which supports early-career Saudi scientists for up to three years of postdoctoral research at international institutions. Fellows Abdullah Alghamdi and Abdulrahman M. Alfaraidi will conduct research at UC San Diego and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, respectively. Their research aligns with Saudi Arabia’s health, wellness, and energy priorities while maintaining ties with KAUST. Why it matters: This fellowship program helps develop talent in priority fields and elevates the profile of Saudi academia, contributing to Saudi Vision 2030.
KAUST alumna Dr. Hanin Ahmed has been awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship to research the biological traits, ancestry, and symbolic roles of horses used in ancient rituals. She will analyze DNA samples from 97 sites across France, linking biology with ritual behavior. Ahmed previously held an Ibn Rushd Fellowship from KAUST, which supported her move to the University of Toulouse. Why it matters: This prestigious fellowship highlights the quality of research and training at KAUST while enabling exploration of the co-evolution of humans and animals through genomics and archaeology.
KAUST celebrates 15 years since its establishment as the first mixed-gender university in Saudi Arabia, highlighting its role in championing women in science. Numerous KAUST female graduates have achieved success in academia, government, and entrepreneurship. Programs like KGSP and the Ibn Rushd fellowship have been instrumental in nurturing talent and empowering women in STEM. Why it matters: KAUST's focus on gender equality and STEM education serves as a model for advancing women's contributions to technological and economic development in the region.
KAUST has announced the 2025 cohort of Ibn Rushd Postdoctoral Fellows, a program designed to strengthen Saudi Arabia's research ecosystem. The fellows, including Abdullah Hassan Bukhamsin and Akram Alwithenani, will pursue postdoctoral work at institutions like Caltech and Harvard. Bukhamsin's research focuses on minimally invasive sensors for environmental and agricultural applications, while Alwithenani specializes in cancer gene and immunotherapy. Why it matters: This program is crucial for developing Saudi research talent and aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals in science and technology.
KAUST has announced the 2024 Ibn Rushd Fellowship recipients: Abrar Aljahani, Abdulrahman Aljurbua, Ahmed Alahmed, and Yara Alshwairikh. The fellowship provides a stipend for early-career researchers to pursue postdoctoral research overseas for up to three years. The fellows' research spans areas like gene regulation, radar systems, electrical grids, and climate change adaptation, with Alahmed and Alshwairikh focusing their work on the Saudi context. Why it matters: The Ibn Rushd Fellowship supports Saudi scientific talent and advances research aligned with the Kingdom's development goals in key areas like sustainable energy and environmental monitoring.