Each year, KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) hosts an international undergraduate poster competition on the University's campus to provide opportunities for students from around the world to showcase their research.

Held on January 20, this year's poster competition attracted entries from 191 students from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia and Saudi Arabia. Out of the 39 shortlisted finalists, 32 came to the KAUST campus during WEP to present their research work. The competition attracted students from some of the world's top universities, including Caltech (U.S.), MIT (U.S.), Stanford University (U.S.), the National University of Singapore, and the University of Warwick (U.K.).

WEP is a two-week program held annually at the University that inspires and enriches the University community through a series of lectures, seminars and cultural activities. The WEP poster competition is made possible with assistance from KAUST's Office of Admissions and Saudi Initiatives organization.

This year's participating students enjoyed sharing their research with fellow students and the KAUST community and professors, and were evaluated by judges from their respective fields of research.

"The poster competition was a great opportunity to share our research and to learn about what others are researching," said Alonso Garcia, a student from Mexico who was one of the finalists in the competition. "I was honored to be part of this amazing experience."

During their weeklong stay at KAUST, finalists met with KAUST faculty, visited the University's state-of-the-art research facilities and labs, attended different WEP events, and enjoyed several recreational activities, including snorkeling in the Red Sea.

"My experience at KAUST was nothing short of eye-opening," said competition finalist Qin Xiang Ng from Singapore. "I have found KAUST provides unparalleled opportunities and resources for scientific research and development. It is a global university well-positioned to take on the challenges of the 21st century."

An awards ceremony was held on January 21 to announce the winners of the competition. Awards were presented by Vice President for Academic Affairs James Calvin, Associate Dean of the Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division Suzana Nunes and Manager of Enrichment Programs Marie-Laure Boulot.

The 2015 winners and the titles of their posters are:

First Place: Design and fabrication of high-efficiency biomimetic fog harvesting devices
Qin Xiang Ng, National University of Singapore

Second Place: Biotemplated batteries with interconnected conductive networks
Saleem Aldajani, MIT

Third Place: Novel one-pot methodology for the synthesis of α-diazothioesters
Alonso Garcia, National Autonomous University of Mexico