Michael Hickner, an Associate Professor from Penn State University, visited KAUST as part of the CRDF-KAUST-OSR Visiting Scholar Fellowship Program. Hickner specializes in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering. The visit was documented with photos by Meres J. Weche. Why it matters: Such programs foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange in science and engineering between KAUST and other leading institutions.
KAUST recently hosted the European Embedded Control Institute's International Graduate School on Control (IGSC). As part of the event, KAUST Professor Jeff Shamma gave a one-week course on "Game Theory and Distributed Control". The course had over 30 registered attendees, including participants from KAUST, KACST, King Saud University, and nine European universities. Why it matters: Hosting international events like IGSC enhances KAUST's global reputation, fosters collaboration opportunities, and exposes visiting researchers to KAUST's research environment.
The KAUST Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) has hosted over 210 interns since 2014, offering research experience with faculty and facilities. Interns, typically in their baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate studies, stay between three and six months. Several interns, like Mariana Prazeres who researched the Hamilton Jacobi equation, have pursued further studies at KAUST. Why it matters: The VSRP program at KAUST serves as a pipeline for attracting international talent to Saudi Arabia and fostering interest in STEM fields.
KAUST welcomed 12 Saudi academics for orientation as part of the Ibn Rushd Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. The program funds Saudi doctoral graduates to pursue postdoctoral research at top international universities like MIT and University of Toronto. Fellows receive mentorship and access to KAUST facilities and programs. Why it matters: This program aims to develop Saudi talent and increase the number of Saudi scholars at KAUST, contributing to the Kingdom's future leadership in research and innovation.
Bill Gates visited KAUST on June 24, 2014, to explore collaborative opportunities focused on reducing hunger, malnutrition, and water scarcity. He participated in a roundtable discussion on agriculture research in arid conditions and visited KAUST laboratories to observe innovative water-efficient food production systems. Gates expressed optimism that KAUST's research would benefit the world's poorest populations. Why it matters: This visit highlights the potential for partnerships between philanthropic organizations and research institutions in the GCC region to address global challenges in food and water security.
In November 2017, students from KFUPM's Electrical Engineering department visited KAUST's Nanofabrication Core Lab (NCL). The students toured the campus and the KAUST Core Labs facilities and were shown processing equipment in the NCL cleanroom. Demonstrations on micro and nanofabrication techniques were also conducted. Why it matters: While dated, the article highlights the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing between Saudi universities in developing future researchers in nanotechnology.
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.
Undergraduate students from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) in Chengdu visited KAUST for a one-week Spring Camp in March. The students, chosen from the top 10 percent of UESTC undergraduates, toured the CEMSE division. The UESTC students shared a presentation about their KAUST experience at the conclusion of the trip. Why it matters: The visit highlights KAUST's ongoing efforts to attract international talent and foster collaborations with leading universities.