KAUST participated in SC21, the international supercomputing conference in St. Louis, Missouri, marking their 13th year of attendance. KAUST highlighted its commitment to being a supercomputing presence in the Arab world and its role in propelling research across scientific disciplines. KAUST graduates are contributing talent across the Middle East, and KAUST Computational Scientist Bilel Hadri will chair the reproducibility initiative at SC22. Why it matters: KAUST's involvement in SC21 underscores the growing importance of HPC in the Middle East and its contribution to building a knowledge-based economy.
KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) 2021, themed "connectivity," will take place virtually from January 10-21 with over 60 speakers. The program will explore various facets of connectivity, from technological advancements to personal relationships, and address both its benefits and challenges, such as cybersecurity threats. The program was planned before the pandemic but its themes have only become more relevant. Why it matters: The WEP program provides a platform for discussing the evolving role of connectivity in a rapidly changing world, with a focus on technology and society.
KAUST hosted the inaugural Space 2101 STEAM camp, bringing together 200 Saudi youth aged 12-15 with world-renowned educators and five astronauts. In partnership with the Saudi Space Commission, the camp challenged students with STEAM tools to design habitats for space or Mars. Prince Sultan ibn Salman Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, the first Saudi in space, motivated participants and highlighted the Kingdom's focus on reclaiming its scientific leadership. Why it matters: The event aligns with Vision 2030 and underscores the growing emphasis on STEAM education and space exploration in Saudi Arabia.
KAUST's Graduate Student Council (GSC) was established in 2009 to represent the voices of students. The GSC works closely with Graduate Affairs and consists of committees focused on Academic and Research, Graduate Life, International Business Relations, and University Relations. The council aims to evolve with the university and encourages community involvement. Why it matters: The GSC provides a structured channel for KAUST students to influence university life and contribute to its development.
KAUST Professor David Keyes chaired the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC) 2020, which was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference featured a record registration of 4,735 specialists in high-performance computing (HPC). A paper by KAUST Ph.D. students Noha Al-Harthi and Rabab Al-Omairi on computationally simulated acoustic scattering won the 2020 Gauss Award. Why it matters: KAUST's leadership in ISC and the Gauss Award highlight Saudi Arabia's growing contributions to the global HPC community.
KAUST attended the SC22 high-performance computing conference with a team of 20 supercomputing experts. KAUST highlighted that HPE will build Shaheen III, KAUST's next-generation supercomputer, which will be the most powerful in the Middle East. A KAUST team was also a finalist for the 2022 Gordon Bell Prize. Why it matters: KAUST's presence at SC22 underscores its growing influence and leadership in high-performance computing within the Middle East and globally.
KAUST is seeking technology-based solutions to build resilience in local ecosystems facing challenges like climate change, disasters, and food insecurity. The WTI Resilience Challenge 2021/22 is accepting proposals under four tracks, with a deadline of December 9, 2021. The top five nominees will receive KAUST mentorship, and three winners will be awarded prizes during the WEP closure ceremony. Why it matters: This challenge promotes innovation in addressing critical environmental and societal issues, aligning with Saudi Arabia's focus on sustainability and technological advancement.
KAUST's Women to Impact (WTI) initiative launched the Resilience Challenge as part of the Winter Enrichment Program (WEP). The challenge seeks tech-based solutions for building resilience in ecosystems against climate change, epidemics, and food insecurity. The winning solution will receive $10,000 USD, with second and third prizes of $7,000 and $5,000 respectively; the competition is open globally to diverse teams and individuals, with a submission deadline of December 31, 2021. Why it matters: The initiative highlights KAUST's focus on sustainability and aims to foster technology-driven solutions aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, encouraging global participation in addressing critical environmental and health challenges.