KGSP Students and Alumna Named Rhodes Scholarship Finalists

We are thrilled to announce that three outstanding members of the KGSP community – alumna Sarah Almutawa (KAUST, Bioscience) and current students Fatimah Alhawaj (UIUC, Materials Science & Engineering) and Jumanah Almalki (University of Chicago, Physics) – were recently selected as finalists for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for the class of 2025. This notable achievement speaks to their dedication, hard work, and the academic support network within the KGSP community. 

    

         Sarah Almutawa                           Fatimah Alhawaj                           Jumanah Almalki

 

Established in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship is celebrated as one of the world’s most elite international scholarship programs. It provides full funding for selected students from around the world to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, covering tuition, travel, and a stipend for living expenses. Recipients are chosen not only for their academic achievements but also for their leadership potential, commitment to service, and the ability to address global challenges.

 

While not selected by the Rhodes Trust as recipients of this year’s Rhodes Scholarship, all three KGSP finalists are highly deserving of the recognition for their achievements and potential for future impact. One of two students who were selected for the Rhodes Scholarship for Saudi Arabia this year is Mohammed Alharthi, a former KGSP student currently attending the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) who will be pursuing a Masters in Global Governance and Diplomacy at Oxford.

The KGSP Student and Alumni community has a history of excellence when it comes to Rhodes, garnering four recipients and eight finalists since 2021.

 

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KGSP Rhodes Recipients:

 

Ghadah Alshalan (2021)

Omar Alshangiti (2021)

Ahmed Aljohani (2022)

Mohammed Alwelyee (2024)

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KGSP Rhodes Finalists:

 

Kumail Al Hamoud (2021)

Hawra Aljawad (2022)

Sarah Almutawa (2023, 2025)

Shahd Linjawi (2024)

Aljoharh Alshwaish (2024)

Jumanah Almalki (2025)

Fatimah Alhawaj (2025)

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This year’s Rhodes finalists participated in a mentorship meeting with past Rhodes Scholars and KGSP Alumni Ghadah Alshalaan (Cohort 9, MIT, Physics), Ahmed Aljohani (Cohort 9, Emory, Biology), and Mohammed Alwelyee (Cohort 12, BU, Biomedical Engineering). With their alumni mentors, this year’s group of finalists engaged in mock interviews, which allowed them to refine their responses, build confidence, and receive feedback from KGSP Alumni. They also discussed the dynamics of the Rhodes reception and panel interview, preparing for the rigorous selection process in Riyadh.

 

Congratulations to Sarah, Fatimah, and Jumanah on this impressive achievement, and to Mohammed for his selection as a Rhodes Scholar. The entire KGSP community supports them as they continue to make an impact as part of the next generation of global leaders.