Three Saudi Arabian undergraduates, all alumni of KAUST's Young Talent Development programs, have been awarded the Rhodes Scholarship for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. The Rhodes Trust selects only 100 international recipients annually. The students participated in programs such as the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) and the Saudi Research Science Institute (SRSI). Why it matters: This achievement highlights the impact of KAUST's educational initiatives in fostering Saudi talent and leadership in STEM fields.
KAUST has appointed Dr. Donal Bradley as the new Vice President for Research, effective April 7, 2019, replacing Dr. Jean Frechet. Dr. Bradley was previously the Dean for Science and Engineering at Oxford University and has held positions at Imperial College London, with extensive experience in research administration. He is a distinguished scientist with over 630 publications and more than twenty-five patent families. Why it matters: This appointment signals KAUST's continued commitment to attracting top international talent to lead its research initiatives and maintain its position as a leading science and technology university in the region.
Dr. Mohammad Yaqub, an Assistant Professor at MBZUAI, leads the BioMedIA lab and focuses on applying AI to real-world healthcare challenges, particularly in smart imaging. He was inspired by a textbook by Tom Mitchell and his work at Oxford University where he helped develop ScanNav, an AI solution aiding sonographers in anomaly scans during pregnancy. ScanNav assists in assessing fetal growth and detecting abnormalities, potentially improving early intervention. Why it matters: This highlights the growing importance of AI in enhancing medical diagnostics and improving healthcare outcomes in the UAE and globally.