World-class
undergraduate programs
Unsurpassed
pre-professional
opportunities
Immersive study
abroad experience
Committed advisors
A vibrant academic
community
Cultural experience
Access to KAUST’s
premier faculty and
resources
The opportunity to
contribute to KAUST’s
bold global mission
THE KGSP

Welcoming Cohort 8

08/22/2016

Welcoming New KGSP Students
The KAUST Gifted Student Program is proud to welcome its eighth cohort of new students!  In the most competitive application process to date, eighty-three top-performing recent high school graduates were selected from across Saudi Arabia to join the KGSP; of these, 67 will attend Foundation Year Programs while 16 will be matriculate directly as undergraduate students.
 
Pre-Departure Orientation
In July 2016, Cohort 8 students attended orientation programing on KAUST’s campus, welcoming them into the community of scholars to which they are now members. Held each year for all new students, the KGSP Pre-Departure Orientation is a two-day event designed to familiarize new admits with the KGSP structure and benefits, while also preparing them for relocation to the United States and the start of academic programs. The Event also provides information on strategies for academic and personal success in the U.S., offering a forum in which new students may engage with each other and learn from the experiences of current KGSP students, the advising staff, and KAUST faculty.

PDO2PDO 1The PDO was honored to welcome many distinguished speakers from the KAUST community, including Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance Mr. Nadhmi Al Nasr, as well as Dean of Graduate Affairs Dr. Brian Moran.














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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 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.