The KAUST student chapter of the Materials Research Society (MRS) was the first outside the U.S., established in 2012. In late 2016, KAUST students, faculty, and staff attended the MRS Fall Meeting & Exhibit in Boston, setting up a recruitment booth and organizing student-led seminars. KAUST faculty and PhD students also gave talks on their research at the event. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's commitment to international engagement and student development in material science, fostering research and career opportunities.
KAUST Ph.D. student Zhuo Qu and fellow students from the Statistics Program launched the first American Statistical Association (ASA) student chapter outside of the U.S. in October 2019. The chapter aims to encourage and provide opportunities for KAUST students interested in statistics to connect with statisticians worldwide. In 2020, the chapter plans to organize seminars and connect students interested in statistics and data mining. Why it matters: This initiative highlights KAUST's commitment to fostering a global network of statisticians and promoting data analysis skills among its students, enhancing its role as a hub for international collaboration in STEM fields.
Two KAUST students, Praise O. Eromosele and Fabiyan Angikath Shamsudheen, participated in the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin. They were selected among 75 students to pitch their ideas, focusing on wastewater treatment and sustainable hydrogen production from waste, respectively. Praise Eromosele's research explores using sawdust to remove heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater, inspired by pollution issues in Nigeria. Why it matters: This participation highlights KAUST's commitment to addressing global challenges through innovative research and provides a platform for its students to gain international exposure and recognition.
Ahmad Alabdulghani, a KAUST master's student in Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering, is studying fluid flow mechanisms in heterogeneous media under the supervision of Professor Hussein Hoteit. Alabdulghani is a member of the Advanced Reservoir Modeling and Simulation (ARMS) research group at ANPERC. He previously worked at Saudi Aramco's EXPEC Advanced Research Center and aims to pursue a doctorate at KAUST. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in developing Saudi talent for the energy sector and fostering collaboration between academia and industry.
The Mexican Embassy in Riyadh announced the creation of the first Saudi Arabian chapter of the Mexican Global Network (RedGlobalMX-Saudi Arabia). The chapter aims to recognize the contributions of the Mexican community in Saudi Arabia and foster collaboration between the two countries. KAUST alumni form a substantial part of the chapter's core membership, including those working at Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical. Why it matters: This initiative strengthens ties between Saudi Arabia and Mexico, potentially opening doors for further academic and industrial collaborations, especially in fields where KAUST has expertise.
DERC is partnering with EPFL in Switzerland on a four-year project using EMTR and ML to study electromagnetic disturbance localization in PCBs. Professor Farhad Rachidi (EPFL) and Dr. Nicolas Mora (DERC) will mentor a PhD student. The collaboration builds on prior relationships between DERC researchers and Prof. Rachidi's lab. Why it matters: The partnership strengthens DERC's methodological expertise and international recognition in electromagnetic studies, potentially leading to further collaborations.
KAUST's Saudi Arabia Alumni Chapter held its first reunion on November 27, 2015, featuring seminars, discussions, and recreational activities. The event included a panel discussion on work experiences, a talk on impactful living, and a discussion on volunteer opportunities. KAUST's VP for Academic Affairs, James Calvin, noted the important role of alumni in building the university's global reputation during the dinner reception. Why it matters: This event highlights KAUST's efforts to maintain strong connections with its alumni network within Saudi Arabia, fostering ongoing engagement and contributions to the Kingdom's development.
Students and teachers from Thuwal schools visited KAUST for computer-oriented activities on February 7. The activities included a practical computer coding lesson inspired by "Hour of Code," where participants used Mac computers to work through an online tutorial. Students and teachers also toured the supercomputing facilities in the KAUST Core Labs led by Bilel Hadri of the ECRC. Why it matters: Such outreach programs help promote STEM education and engagement with advanced computing resources among local students.