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Young scholars selected for SRSI 2018

Mar 15, 2018 Students

KAUST Professor Charlotte Hauser works with a former SRSI student during one of the SRSI programs. File photo.

​-By Debra Carlson Wood and Hannah Poole, KAUST News

The Saudi Research Science Institute (SRSI) has selected its class of 2018, which is comprised of 43 top male and female 11th graders from public and private high schools throughout the Kingdom. The students will spend the summer immersed in research under the supervision of KAUST faculty and will learn what it means to live the life of a scientist.

Former SRSI student Doha Amer works with KAUST Professor Husam Alshareef during her SRSI experience. File photo.

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In January 2018, as it does annually, SRSI convened an International Selection Committee made up of experts from leading international institutions and faculty and relevant experts from KAUST. Committee members provided insight based on the highest global standards and reviewed student profiles to identify candidates with the strengths needed to be successful in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research.

Forty-three talented high school students will take part in the KAUST Saudi Research Science Institute (SRSI) this summer. File photo.

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This year's international committee members included Amy Jarich, assistant vice chancellor & director of admissions from the University of California, Berkeley; John McLaughlin, associate dean of undergraduate admissions from the University of Pennsylvania; and Anne Corriveau, director of international admissions from Boston University. KAUST faculty were represented by David Ketcheson, associate professor of applied mathematics and computational science; Min Suk Cha, associate professor of mechanical engineering; and Suzana Nunes, professor of environmental science and engineering. Also serving on the committee from KAUST were Can Ikram, director of admissions; Saham Al-Husseini, director of the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP); and Christopher Johnson, manager of Saudi graduate recruitment & development.

SRSI students take part in an on campus poster presentation session as part of their summer program. File photo.

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"Seeing the quality of applicants gave me immense pride in how far the education system has come and how well students are preparing themselves culturally, socially and academically for the next step of their journey," Al-Husseini said. "I look forward to reading their applications when they apply to the KGSP."

"These young people are the future of scholarship in Saudi Arabia and we are pleased to be part of their journey. We look forward to what they will accomplish in the months and years to come," McLaughlin added.

For more information about the program, contact the SRSI team at srsi@kaust.edu.sa.


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