Since its inception in 2008, the KGSP has been dedicated to empowering the next generation of Saudi leaders by opening doors to opportunities for growth. Now, through the KGSP Alumni Mentorship Program (AMP), the program continues to build bridges between current students and the trailblazing alumni to leverage the experiences and wisdom of the many alumni already contributing to Saudi Arabia’s knowledge economy.

Over the course of the academic year, AMP participants engage in monthly mentorship meetings with KGSP alumni. The program pairs current undergraduate students with alumni mentors based on shared academic interests, career aspirations, and personal goals. Since launching as a pilot program by the KGSP Alumni Office in 2023, AMP has doubled its number of participants from 13 pairs to 26, and is setting its sights on further expansion to reach even more KGSP undergraduates and alumni. These interactions provide a platform for students to gain valuable insights, seek advice, and confidently navigate choices and opportunities in their academic and professional journeys.

For students, this mentorship is more than just guidance or network building; it’s a way to explore opportunities that might otherwise seem out of reach. Ahmed Aldabbagh, a student mentee studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NYU, shared his experience of how his mentor helped him secure research opportunities. “Beyond research, [my AMP mentor] Saleem introduced me to opportunities at institutions like CERN and MIT, advising me on how to explore research availability at NYU and Columbia,” Ahmed reflected. “His recommendations on specific KAUST professors to contact for research opportunities were especially helpful, providing me with a direct path to explore research during the winter break.”

Ahmed’s story is echoed by many students, including Ammar Babateen, who studies Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Highlighting the connectedness fostered by AMP, Ammar said, "The KGSP AMP made upward networking easier for me. With this structured connection, I found it simpler to ask questions and seek guidance, which has been invaluable in understanding my career path." Ammar regularly meets his mentor, Mayadah Alhashem, an Engineer at Aramco, to discuss topics ranging from chemistry coursework to the professional landscape for chemical engineers and even shared personal interests like volleyball.

For KGSP alumni, serving as a mentor is both a leadership opportunity and a profoundly fulfilling experience. Alumna Zainab Alhubail, a Materials Science master’s student at KAUST, expressed her gratitude and motivation for participating in AMP: "I wanted to give back to the program that played such a critical role in shaping my own academic and professional path... Many Saudi students struggle with self-confidence when transitioning to international universities, especially in STEM fields. I hope my mentees leave the program knowing they are not alone and that they have a network supporting them every step of the way."

Zainab’s dedication resonates with her student mentee, Fatemah Alsheikh (Chemical Engineering, UC Berkeley). Fatemah explained how AMP has provided clarity and support: "I joined the program because I wanted guidance from someone who had already navigated the challenges I was facing. Having access to a mentor who understands both the academic and professional paths available to KGSP students has been incredibly valuable. I saw this as an opportunity to gain insights, ask questions, and develop a clearer vision for my future."

Beyond the academic advantages, the program fosters a deeper sense of community within a scholarship program that is quickly approaching its 20^th year. Students and mentors alike have noted the program's unique strength in bridging generational divides within the KGSP community. Omar Alqahtani, an AMP mentor and Associate at Boston Consulting Group, remarked on this special aspect of AMP: "KGSP does a good job of fostering relationships within a cohort and adjacent cohorts. AMP goes further by fostering relationships between distant cohorts (e.g., cohort 4 and 10). I wish we had that while I was in school." Similarly, mentor and Bioscience master’s student, Sarah Almutawa reflected on her experience: "I hope that my mentees can come out of the AMP with a strong connection with a KGSP alumnus such as myself who they know they can count on for support even beyond their sophomore year."

As the 2025-26 academic year approaches, AMP is ready to welcome a new cohort of KGSP sophomores. Applications for both students and alumni will open at the end of the summer. Alumni, including new KAUST graduate students, are also encouraged to apply, ensuring that the mentorship network continues to grow with fresh perspectives. By participating in AMP, students and mentors alike are not only strengthening ties within the KGSP network but also contributing to a larger KGSP community that connects generations of Saudi scholars.

AMP Students

AMP Mentors