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.
KAUST alumni participated in a beach cleaning event in Thuwal as part of the Alumni Reunion Weekend in November 2016. Alumnus Ahmad Showail presented his startup zayer.net at an alumni panel. Gordon McConnell, manager of the Entrepreneurship Center, was a keynote speaker at the event. Why it matters: This event highlights KAUST's ongoing engagement with its alumni network and its support for entrepreneurship.
KAUST President Jean-Lou Chameau hosted a gathering of KAUST alumni in Beijing in May 2014, marking the first formal alumni event outside of Saudi Arabia. The event included graduates, former post-docs, and incoming Chinese students. KAUST plans to form a working group to establish an alumni chapter in China. Why it matters: This event highlights KAUST's growing international network and its commitment to fostering relationships with alumni in key regions, especially China.
Four researchers from KAUST attended the 69th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, which focused on physics. The meeting provided an opportunity for young scientists to interact with 39 Nobel laureates, including Donna Strickland and Gérard Mourou. KAUST attendees included Abderrahmen Trichili, Ibrahim Dursun, Abdullah Almansouri, and Latifah Al Maghrabi, who participated in lectures, talks, and open exchanges. Why it matters: Participation in such events raises KAUST's profile and provides invaluable networking and learning opportunities for its researchers.
KAUST held a Bay Area alumni dinner in San Francisco. This was the first of a series of planned events for KAUST alumni. The event aimed to connect KAUST graduates in the Bay Area. Why it matters: Building alumni networks can strengthen KAUST's reputation and facilitate collaborations with international tech hubs.
The KAUST Saudi Arabian Alumni Chapter met to discuss future plans, with a focus on increasing engagement and creating a 'Community for Life'. The chapter caters to M.S. and Ph.D. graduates living and working in Saudi Arabia, representing around 51% of the total alumni. Key initiatives include leveraging the online network Rapport and organizing on-campus and regional meetings. Why it matters: Strengthening alumni networks is crucial for KAUST's long-term growth and influence within Saudi Arabia's evolving research and technology landscape.
This article discusses KAUST's presence at the 252nd American Chemical Society Meeting & Exposition in Philadelphia, PA. A KAUST team consisting of staff, students, and faculty attended the event. The article includes a photo from the event and standard KAUST copyright information. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's efforts to engage with the international scientific community and showcase its research and educational programs.
KAUST held its 6th annual alumni meeting in China, in partnership with the Hangzhou Association of Science and Technology. 21 KAUST alumni visited innovation parks and enterprises in Hangzhou to explore collaborations. The meeting facilitated engagement with local business leaders and government officials regarding technologies in security, green energy, and health. Why it matters: Such meetings foster international collaboration and technology transfer, showcasing KAUST's role in connecting research with commercial opportunities in strategic regions like China.