KAUST President's Lunch

07/03/2016

Earlier this spring, KGSP upperclassmen were honored to welcome members of KAUST’s leadership to their United States host cities. President Jean-Lou Chameau was joined by Executive Vice President Nadhmi Al-Nasr and KGSP Academic Oversight Committee member Dr. Carol Carmichael, meeting with over 20 students from 12 universities at events in Boston, West Lafayette, Chicago, and Madison.

To complement the formal keynote lectures and large-scale academic and enrichment activities that mark the annual KGSP Convocation, the new Presidential luncheon series offer a more intimate setting for juniors and seniors to engage in meaningful dialogue with KAUST leadership and their peers. Students have the opportunity to share personal research interests and accomplishments, as well as academic and career goals. They also have the chance to seek personal and professional insight from the University’s leadership as they prepare to pursue graduate degrees at KAUST.

At all four events this spring, students learned from discussions about KAUST’s growing research portfolio, economic innovation programs, and its evolving role in development within Saudi Arabia. In turn, KAUST leadership enjoyed hearing more about the students’ experiences in KGSP and as undergraduates in the United States.

The second series of Presidential Luncheons will take place in in Academic Year 2016-17.

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.

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.

KGSP ADMINISTRATION

The KGSP is administered by the Office of Strategic National Advancement at KAUST, under the direction of Vice President & Senior Associate to the President, Dr. Najah Ashry. Strategic National Advancement directs the university's strategy to serve Saudi Arabia's transformational priorities: Through initiatives in young talent and Saudi workforce development, social responsibility, and national engagement, the Office contributes to a thriving innovation ecosystem by building knowledge capacity, creating opportunities, and strengthening impact.