KAUST held its Research Open Week (KROW) showcasing science and engineering research with a focus on sustainability. The event included presentations, demonstrations, and discussions. VP of Research Donal Bradley highlighted the importance of KROW for the KAUST community and partners in the Kingdom, emphasizing collaborations across various focus areas. Why it matters: Such events foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, contributing to the advancement of research and development in Saudi Arabia's key sectors.
KAUST is hosting its fourth annual International Research Competition for undergraduate students in January 2015. The competition invites students to submit their research in poster or video format. Up to 50 of the best abstracts will be invited to KAUST from January 17 - 23, 2015 to present their work and experience the university. Why it matters: This competition provides a valuable opportunity for international undergraduate students to engage with cutting-edge research and experience KAUST's facilities and community.
KAUST held an open day on December 3, 2015, to celebrate the International Year of Light. The event showcased technological developments in light research, especially photonics and LED-based technologies. Exhibits and demonstrations were provided by researchers from KAUST's CEMSE and PSE divisions, under the direction of Professor Boon Ooi. Why it matters: The event promoted understanding of achievements in light research and its applications in various sectors like communications, medicine, and energy.
KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) 2015 features keynotes by international experts and award winners. Week 2 events include Caltech's Anthony Readhead discussing radio astronomy and Saudi Arabia's potential role, and an exhibition of Tingatinga art from East Africa. Other events cover urban science, polar expeditions, and a multimedia performance called BELLA GAIA. Why it matters: WEP promotes scientific engagement and cultural exchange within KAUST and highlights opportunities for Saudi Arabia in global research fields like radio astronomy.
McLaren Racing visited KAUST to celebrate their three-year R&D partnership, established in 2018, focusing on computational fluid dynamics, machine learning, and other areas. The visit included discussions on STEM education, sustainability, and a simulator race between McLaren driver Lando Norris and a KAUST community member. McLaren and KAUST have also collaborated on personal protective equipment, emergency ventilators, and sustainability initiatives. Why it matters: This partnership highlights the increasing role of advanced research and STEM education in Saudi Arabia's technology and sustainability initiatives, facilitated through collaborations between academic institutions and global industry leaders.
KAUST held an Innovation & Economic Development Open House event on October 4 and 5. The event showcased industry partners in the KAUST Innovation Cluster, including Dow Chemical, SABIC, Saudi Aramco, and startups like FalconViz and NOMADD. Student groups like the Entrepreneurship Business & Innovation Group (eBIG) also participated, highlighting efforts to foster innovation within the KAUST community. Why it matters: This event demonstrates KAUST's ongoing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and translating research into real-world applications, aligning with Saudi Arabia's broader economic diversification goals.
A DeepMind researcher presented work on incorporating symmetries into machine learning models, with applications to lattice-QCD and molecular dynamics. The work includes permutation and translation-invariant normalizing flows for free-energy estimation in molecular dynamics. They also presented U(N) and SU(N) Gauge-equivariant normalizing flows for pure Gauge simulations and its extensions to incorporate fermions in lattice-QCD. Why it matters: Applying symmetry principles to generative models could improve AI's ability to model complex physical systems relevant to materials science and other fields in the region.
KAUST's New Energy Oasis (NEO) hosted an open day on May 7 to showcase its renewable energy technologies. The event featured guided tours of the NEO site, where 11 international technology providers are testing renewable energy solutions. The technologies on display included photovoltaic (PV), concentrating solar power (CSP), and dust mitigation technologies. Why it matters: This initiative helps identify and implement the most appropriate renewable energy technologies for Saudi Arabia, addressing the Kingdom's growing energy demands.