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THE KGSP

Celebrating the Achievements of KGSP Alumni at KAUST Commencement

This past December marked the annual tradition of KGSP Alumni crossing the stage at KAUST Commencement, surpassing another milestone on their remarkable academic journey.

We are celebrating all 465 graduates who crossed the stage in December, particularly the nearly 50 who began their journey as KGSP students. These KGSP alumni have not only excelled academically but are also poised to make significant contributions to their fields, embodying the spirit and mission of the KGSP and KAUST.

The sense of community that KGSP fosters was palpable during the ceremony. Alumni Ambassador Soumaya Fayie (Cohort 10, MS, Bioengineering) expressed, “Returning home after years abroad felt like a big transition, but KAUST made it feel like the right next step. It challenged me, supported me, and gave me a sense of belonging. The friendships, the late nights in the lab, and the moments of discovery – this journey has shaped me in ways I’ll always be grateful for.” The commencement ceremony was a testament to the longevity of the KGSP community, sustaining throughout graduate study on the KAUST campus and into their careers.

Looking ahead, Soumaya is excited to embark on her next adventure, sharing, “I’m thrilled to continue my research and contribute to advancements in bioengineering. The support from KGSP and KAUST has been instrumental in my journey, and I look forward to making a positive impact in my field.”

 

 


Maryam Almaskin (Cohort 9, MS, Appl. Math. & Computational Sc.) shared her thoughts on her KGSP experience, saying, “My time at KAUST was truly precious, and I consider it the best years of my life so far. I grew not only academically and professionally but also socially. It was fairly easy to integrate into such a welcoming community, and taking on roles like Career Ambassador, Orientation Leader, and KGSP Council member allowed me to connect with so many amazing people.  

 

Maryam went on to add, “Having my fellow KGSPers by my side made the journey even more meaningful and wholesome. They were inspiring and like family to me. Though I officially graduated in May, celebrating at the December commencement felt like no time had passed. KAUST has given me so much, and I’m deeply grateful for the experience. To express that gratitude, I created a piece of art, turned it into a card, and shared it with my fellow graduates.”


Another KGSP Alumni Ambassador, Zainab Al Hubail (Cohort 10, MS, Materials Science & Engineering), also provided a glimpse into her future plans, saying, "KGSP and KAUST have truly set me up for life, providing me with the foundation and opportunities to pursue my passion for research and academic excellence. Now, as I continue my journey with a PhD at KAUST, I am deeply focused on advancing energy storage technologies and driving sustainable development. The world has given me so much – a knowledge, support, and inspiration – and I believe it’s my responsibility to give back. Equipped with the tools to make a difference, I am committed to empowering others and driving progress for a better future."

 


                           

 

The KGSP Alumni Office is proud to feature these graduates and to illustrate the profound impact of the KGSP and the transformative experiences at KAUST. We encourage everyone to read more about these inspiring stories and stay tuned for further examples of KGSP’s work within the Kingdom and the wider world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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 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.