King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Sponsors 30 Talented Saudi Students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Program will qualify students to enroll in the world’s top Universities

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (July 16, 2008) – As part of its commitment to supporting talent and innovation programs in Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has announced that it will sponsor 30 graduating Saudi high school students this year.

The students, who are enrolled at the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), will attend a one-year college preparation program, which includes courses in English language skills, mathematics, science, analytical thinking, scientific computing, time management, leadership and research skills, laboratory work, and volunteer work. The program, designed by KAUST, will qualify students for undergraduate studies at the world’s top universities, where they will be sponsored by KAUST until they complete their degrees and join KAUST to pursue masters and doctoral degrees.

KAUST Interim President, Nadhmi al-Nasr, said, “The University’s student-sponsorship program is part of our commitment to attract talented and creative people, and provide them with the proper environment and academic assistance that contribute to the development of their skills and research potential."

KAUST coordinated with Mawhiba to nominate its students with outstanding achievements in academic, research and innovation. Students also participated in the foundation’s local and international enrichment programs at distinguished scientific institutions. Some have also received international and regional awards in areas such as mathematics, nanotechnology, biology, and robot programming.

Al-Nasr added, “We hope that these students will play an important role in the development of research at the university, and contribute to the promotion and advancement of the scientific research culture in the Kingdom."

Expressing his appreciation of the cooperation and integration between Mawhiba and KAUST, the Secretary General of Mawhiba, Dr. Khalid ibn Abdullah al-Sabti, said, “King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is supporting an important and advanced stage in the progression of talented people in the Kingdom, and such cooperation with this important group of the society will eventually benefit our country by advancing its transformation to a knowledge society."

About KAUST

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is being built in Saudi Arabia as an international, graduate-level research university dedicated to inspiring a new age of scientific achievement in the Kingdom, across the region and around the globe. As an independent, merit-based institution, KAUST will enable top researchers from around the globe and across all cultures to work together to solve challenging scientific and technological problems. The KAUST global research and education network will support diverse talents both on its campus and at other premier universities and research institutions through collaborative research agreements, grants, and student scholarship programs. The core campus, located on more than 36 million square meters on the Red Sea at Thuwal, is set to open in September 2009. For more information about KAUST, visit http://www.kaust.edu.sa.