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.
The KAUST Graduate Student Council (GSC) was founded in 2009 to represent student interests and amplify employment opportunities. The GSC works with KAUST administration, faculty, staff, and community partners to advocate for quality research and a nurturing academic environment. The current GSC consists of seven student positions, including president Maram AlMalki and vice president Muhammad Bukar. Why it matters: The GSC provides a crucial link between the student body and the university's leadership, ensuring student voices are heard and their needs are addressed.
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.
The KAUST Graduate Student Council's IBR Committee hosted its first Alumni Panel during the fall 2014 Career Fair, in collaboration with KAUST's Career Development Office, Saudi Initiatives, and the Alumni Affairs Office. Six alumni working in Saudi Arabia, along with three via video, shared their experiences and insights with current students. Panelists emphasized the importance of creativity, passion, and utilizing KAUST's career resources to achieve successful employment. Why it matters: This event facilitated knowledge transfer and networking between KAUST alumni and students, promoting career development and in-Kingdom employment opportunities aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals.
KAUST held its annual academic Convocation ceremony via Zoom, with speeches from President Tony Chan, student Nawaf Al-Ghamdi, alumnus Wail Bamhair, and faculty member Mohamed-Slim Alouini. Speakers shared advice on embracing new experiences, collaboration, teaching, and perseverance. Alouini encouraged students to build a strong competitive record for future job opportunities despite uncertainties from the COVID-19 pandemic. Why it matters: While routine, the event underscores KAUST's ongoing commitment to fostering academic excellence and preparing students for future challenges in science and technology.
MBZUAI students achieved top honors at the 2022 Dubai Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) Transport Hackathon. Sultan Abu Ghazal and his team developed Scooty, an app for scooter safety monitoring that rewards users for rule adherence. Muhammad Uzair Khattak led a team that created Salem, a mobile application to monitor motorcycle delivery drivers' safety and reduce traffic infractions by using computer vision and mobile sensors. Why it matters: The hackathon win highlights the practical AI skills being developed at MBZUAI and their application to real-world transportation challenges in the UAE.
Three KAUST Ph.D. students, Dalal Alezi, Samah Mohamed, and Yevhen Fatieiev, have been selected to attend the 67th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau, Germany. The meeting will bring together young scientists and Nobel laureates in chemistry for a week of activities. Alezi's research focuses on metal-organic materials, Mohamed develops chemical kinetic models for combustion, and Fatieiev works on magnetic nanoparticles. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's commitment to fostering scientific talent and providing opportunities for its students to engage with leading researchers in their fields, enhancing the university's global reputation.
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.