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THE KGSP

KGSP Alumni Ambassador Program Grows with Six New Members

The KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) is pleased to welcome six new Alumni Ambassadors, expanding a network of graduates dedicated to strengthening the bridge between KGSP's past, present, and future.

A Program Built on Representation

Since its launch, the Alumni Ambassador Program has served as KGSP's primary platform for alumni engagement, connecting current students, prospective applicants, and fellow alumni with individuals who know the program from the inside out. Unlike the Alumni Council, whose members are elected by their peers, Ambassadors are selected directly by KGSP based on their ability to represent and support the program both nationally and internationally.

Each year, interested alumni apply for a limited number of spots through a structured review and interview process. Those selected complete an onboarding and training program covering KGSP's policies, services, and communication expectations, and are equipped with official branding and engagement resources to represent the program with confidence.

Ambassadors take on a meaningful set of responsibilities: promoting KGSP to students and stakeholders, participating in at least one KGSP event each year, supporting broader student and alumni engagement efforts, representing the program at flagship events such as Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) and Convocation, and contributing to recruitment outreach at high schools across the Kingdom. Many ambassadors go on to renew their role year after year, creating continuity and deepening the sense of community across cohorts.

Introducing the 2026 Cohort of Ambassadors

This year's incoming group reflects the breadth of paths KGSP alumni have taken — from the classroom to the boardroom, and from Thuwal to Riyadh, Dhahran, and Tabuk.

  • Sulaiman Al Suhaibani, Cohort 12, Associate Engineer at Saudi Aramco
  • Abdullah Al Hamoud, Cohort 11, Entrepreneur in Residence at RAYH Innovations
  • Kawthar Alashoor, Cohort 6, PhD Candidate at KAUST, Thuwal
  • Ali Al Haddad, Cohort 3, Business Development, Hydrogen at NEOM
  • Salma Alrowaie, Cohort 13, MS Student at KAUST
  • Maryam Almaskin, Cohort 9, Associate Software Engineer at Tamara

 

Together, they join a growing roster of Ambassadors spanning multiple cohorts and industries — from energy and technology to entrepreneurship and academia — all united by a shared commitment to giving back to the community that shaped their own journeys.

Looking Ahead

As KGSP continues to grow, so does the impact of its alumni network. This new group of Ambassadors will support upcoming initiatives including PDO and Convocation events, mentorship programs, and outreach efforts designed to inspire the next generation of KGSP scholars.

KGSP extends its congratulations to the newest Ambassadors and looks forward to the contributions they will make in the year ahead.

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STUDENT PROFILE 

KGSP students represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s future scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and thought-leaders. As both individuals and as a community, they reflect the KAUST mission of driving scientific discovery through excellence in education and cutting-edge research, and share a commitment to fostering innovation, economic development, and social prosperity throughout the Kingdom and the world.  

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ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Selection to the KGSP is extremely competitive, and currently by invitation only. Successful applicants are Saudi Arabian students in their final year of high school who demonstrate impressive academic credentials within STEM fields, meaningful extra-curricular achievements, and who share the KAUST ethos of continuous discovery.  Learn more here.

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KGSP ADMINISTRATION

The KGSP is administered by KAUST Academy under the leadership of Dr. Sultan Al-Barakati. KAUST Academy is mandated by KAUST to support the acceleration of Saudi Arabia's knowledge-based economy by providing world class training programs in emerging technologies aligned with Vision 2030. KAUST Academy crafts these unique learning interventions by exporting the intellectual DNA acquired by KAUST for the benefit of the entire Kingdom.