King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) proudly concluded the second cohort of its prestigious training program, KAUST Academy, with a closing ceremony held today and attended by His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Emir of Makkah.

During the ceremony, Prince Saud bin Mishaal was given an overview of the program and toured an exhibition showcasing 67 innovative projects by the talented graduates. These projects spanned vital fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and bioinformatics, demonstrating the advanced skills the graduates have acquired.

KAUST Academy's training program is recognized as one of the Kingdom's leading educational initiatives, organized in collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), NEOM and various private sector entities and business people. The program is designed to equip Saudi university students with cutting-edge skills in AI, bioinformatics and cybersecurity, offering academic excellence and unparalleled opportunities for scholarships and internships at globally renowned institutions.

The intensive program was structured into four phases. The first phase involved virtual courses for over 7,000 Saudi university students. The second and third phases offered more than 2,800 participants intensive in-person training. Finally, in the fourth phase, 200 outstanding students were selected for scholarships, both domestic and international, at prestigious institutions including the University of Glasgow (Scotland), the University of Oxford (England), the University of Toronto (Canada), the Broad Institute (Boston, USA), Duke University (USA) and KAUST itself.

Professor Sultan Albarakati, Director of KAUST Academy, emphasized that these global partnerships underscore KAUST's commitment to delivering world-class education and preparing Saudi talent to excel in an increasingly complex world.

KAUST Academy stands as a leading platform for continuing education in Saudi Arabia. By offering specialized short courses, certifications, diplomas and partial master's degrees, the Academy empowers students and professionals to thrive in the digital age. KAUST Academy contributes to realizing Saudi Vision 2030 through strategic collaborations by building a highly skilled national workforce.