KGSP Congratulates the Class of 2026
Congratulations to the Class of 2026! This academic year, 74 KGSP Seniors across 32 universities celebrate their hard work and perseverance in earning their college degrees.
We connected with five students, and asked them to reflect on their undergraduate journeys, share what excites them about their next chapter at KAUST, or offer words of advice for the incoming freshmen class.
Yara Bawazir is a Cohort-14 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and will be joining the CEMSE-Applied Mathematics and Computational Science program at KAUST.
What were the most defining moments of your college journey?
“The most defining moments weren’t the big milestones, but the smaller ones such as learning how partial differential equations can describe complex phenomena, revealing unexpected structure in the world around us, and realizing that these were the questions I wanted to continue exploring at KAUST. Just as important were the relationships I formed with students, colleagues, and professors throughout these four years. They turned moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth and made even the most challenging experiences memorable. Those experiences have shaped not only my academic path, but also the person I have become.”
Abdulaziz Bataweel is a Cohort-14 graduate of Purdue University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Material Science and Engineering. He will be enrolling in the PSE Materials Science and Engineering program at KAUST
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen or current students?
“Take your time in the U.S. not only as an academic journey, but as an opportunity to grow as a person. The classes, research, and internships matter, but so do the experiences, relationships, and challenges that shape who you become. Use your time to intentionally build the person you want to be, not just the résumé you want to have.”
When you think back on your college journey, what stands out as the most defining moment?
“The most defining moment of my college journey was changing my major from Aerospace Engineering to Materials Science & Engineering. For years, I was convinced aerospace was the path I was meant to follow, so stepping away from that vision required a great deal of self-reflection, humility, and open-mindedness. It taught me that personal growth sometimes means letting go of an identity you’ve held onto for a long time in order to pursue what truly aligns with your interests and strengths. Looking back, that decision was less about changing majors and more about learning that being willing to adapt can open doors to opportunities you never would have considered otherwise.”
Majed Bukhari is a Cohort-12 graduate of Columbia University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physics. He will be enrolling in the PSE Applied Physics program at KAUST.
What excites you most about this next chapter at KAUST?
“The community, honestly. KAUST is small enough that you actually know the people around you — it doesn’t feel like you’re just a number. There’s something about being in an environment where everyone’s far from home and working on hard problems together that creates a kind of support you don’t really find elsewhere”
If you could give your freshman-year self one piece of advice, what would it be?
“Take action. There will always be someone way smarter than you — especially that one kid typing out his notes in LaTeX — but there will always be room for your own skills to shine. Comparison is irrelevant; staying in motion and making moves is what matters.”
Sohailh Marie is a Cohort-14 graduate of the University of California, San Diego. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and will be joining the PSE-Mechanical Engineering program at KAUST.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
“Live on campus, at least a year. I have never lived on campus myself, and it was one missed opportunity. Enjoy the new people and friends, the dining dollars and that you will have little stuff. Trust me, the less stuff you have, the better!”
Rama Alsharif is a Cohort-14 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and is joining the CEMSE-Statistics program at KAUST.
What excites you most about this next chapter at KAUST?
"What excites me most about KAUST is the opportunity to continue using data to answer meaningful questions about the environment, the work I have come to value most at Berkeley. It is a place where those strengths come together, set along the Red Sea and close to the ecosystems I hope to study. Best of all, I will be doing this work among people who share the same excitement."