Cohort 13 Foundation Year Progress
2/18/2022
UIUC Students with FY Coordinator and KGSP Advisor Dani Walter
The KGSP’s new Foundation Year of Cohort 13 students have completed their first semester in the United States! Throughout the fall term, students dutifully and ambitiously worked on improving their standardized test scores and writing ability to create standout college applications. With the experienced support of the KGSP’s Advising Team and the KGSP’s partner FY institutions, the students received guidance, resources, and instruction on how to grow professionally and personally.
For the fall semester, the KGSP FY institutions implemented immersive short-term certificates for students to participate in, building their skills in intercultural communication, cultural competency, and leadership. Many of the courses incorporated interactive workshops with guest speakers and organized volunteer projects with the surrounding community. From these lessons, students learned how to harness their skills and abilities for not only self-improvement and academic achievement, but also communal and global progress and development.
Abdulrahman Almana, a FY student at the University of Pennsylvania, Electrical Engineering
“I am interested in delving deep into renewable energy technology. Researching it in my undergraduate career will allow me to satisfy my passion while also helping further the technological advancements that will, in turn, allow us to prosper a greener planet”
Madhawi Alharbi, a FY student at Pennsylvania State University, Biomedical Engineering
“I am interested in Biomaterials Engineering and Bio-instrumentation. I hope that I can modernize current medical devices and instruments, further enhancing the health of patients around the world. I am especially interested in resolving the lack of excretion treatments for bladder-removal patients.”
Zainab Alyousef, a FY student at North Carolina State University, Chemical Engineering
“I’m really looking forward to taking Chemistry and Chemistry lab while participating in creative art clubs at NCSU and making new friends.
When students start their Spring semester, they will continue studying STEM comprehension classes, integrated with main campus students, which will help prepare them for undergraduate coursework. The students are excited for their next semester and are eagerly awaiting their college acceptance letters! The KGSP’s newest members are well on their way to growing academically and professionally. The KGSP anticipates many significant achievements from this Cohort as they continue their education and start their journey into becoming experts in their fields of study.

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 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.

—King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud
1924 – 2015
