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 KGSP Cohort 9

10/09/2017

We are very excited for our upcoming new cohort of KGSP students starting their KGSP journey in fall 2017! A fantastic group of 103 students have been selected, with 20 students starting as undergraduate freshmen, and 83 students as Foundation Year participants.  KGSP has partnered with six higher education institutions for the 2017/18 Foundation Year programs:

  • Boston University
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • University of Washington
 
Students in the Foundation Year programs will take preparatory courses in STEM fields and advanced academic English, as well as learn soft skills such as time management, study skills and cultural adaptation to prepare for their undergraduate education. In addition to this rigorous academic schedule, Foundation Year students will also take standardized tests and complete applications for undergraduate study, to begin in fall 2018.

The new undergraduate students will matriculate at some of the top universities in the United States including Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Purdue University, Pennsylvania State University, and Stanford University—just to name a few! They will pursue varied and challenging majors like Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Physics.

KGSP provides support to each new KGSP student during the various stages of their transition to the United States.  KGSP meets each Cohort 9 student at the airport as they arrive to the U.S. in August and September, helping them to settle into their new city and providing additional local orientations. During the first days in the U.S., each student will spend time getting to know their KGSP Advisor and their partnership will ensure that each student has the resources needed to be personally and academically successful.

Cohort 9 is an incredibly talented group of future leaders, and KGSP welcomes them to our community!
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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.