KAUST ·
Dalal Alezi, a Ph.D. student in KAUST's Physical Science and Engineering Division, has received the inaugural PSE Division Student Award. Alezi is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate. The award recognizes outstanding Ph.D. candidates within the division. Why it matters: The award highlights KAUST's commitment to recognizing and supporting exceptional talent in science and engineering.
KAUST ·
KAUST has appointed Dr. Chak Chan as the new dean of its Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) division, commencing in May 2023. Dr. Chan previously served as the Dean of the School of Energy and Environment at the City University of Hong Kong and brings over 14 years of administrative experience. His research focuses on the physical chemistry of the atmosphere, aligning with KAUST's focus on climate, livability, and sustainability. Why it matters: This appointment strengthens KAUST's leadership in physical science and engineering, particularly in areas related to environmental sustainability and interdisciplinary research, aligning with Saudi Arabia's priorities.
KAUST ·
Michael Hickner, an Associate Professor from Penn State University, visited KAUST as part of the CRDF-KAUST-OSR Visiting Scholar Fellowship Program. Hickner specializes in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering. The visit was documented with photos by Meres J. Weche. Why it matters: Such programs foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange in science and engineering between KAUST and other leading institutions.
KAUST ·
KAUST held its third annual Plant Science Family Night on February 19, 2025, hosting over 1,000 attendees from the KAUST community. The event featured 25 interactive stations covering topics like composting, genetics, recycling, and irrigation. Participants included representatives from the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security, the KAUST School, and other organizations. Why it matters: This event promotes STEM education and engagement with sustainability issues among families in the KAUST community.
KAUST ·
KAUST's Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) department recently hosted a webinar on radiation protection and safety in research, industry and medicine, in cooperation with the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC). KAUST is the only university in the Kingdom conducting research using open radioactive sources and has a dedicated radiation labeling laboratory. The webinar was broadcast live to approximately 400 attendees from 16 different countries. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's leadership role in radiation safety and its commitment to promoting best practices in the region.
KAUST ·
KAUST has appointed Professor Husam Alshareef, a founding faculty member, as the new dean of the Physical Science and Engineering Division. Alshareef aims to lead the division to achieve groundbreaking science and impactful research, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's economic diversification and environmental goals. He previously established the Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies (CREST) at KAUST. Why it matters: This appointment signals KAUST's continued focus on aligning its research with national priorities and leveraging its faculty to drive innovation in key sectors like renewable energy.
KAUST ·
PepsiCo's AMESA CEO, Eugene Willemsen, spoke at KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) 2022 about sustainability and resilience. He highlighted the importance of organizations addressing climate change and resource emergencies through innovative synergies. Willemsen emphasized PepsiCo's Pep+ initiative, focusing on positive agriculture, value chain, and choices, to transform the food system. Why it matters: This showcases KAUST's role in convening global leaders to discuss sustainability challenges relevant to the Middle East, particularly in food and agriculture.
KAUST ·
KAUST and the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) collaborated to reduce non-technical losses in the Saudi power sector using machine learning. KAUST Visualization Core Lab (KVL) developed models using five years of SEC billing data from the Riyadh area to predict electricity usage and detect anomalous billing transactions. SEC estimates it could recover at least 73,000,000 SAR in lost revenue by correcting anomalies identified by KAUST models. Why it matters: This partnership demonstrates the potential of AI to address inefficiencies and fraud in critical infrastructure sectors in Saudi Arabia.