KFUPM Global Engagement

A New Academic Year Started! At #KFUPM, global experiences are more than moments abroad. They are opportunities to connect, collaborate, discover, and grow with people and institutions worldwide. New destinations. New collaborations. New experiences. Your world starts here.

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝, 𝐈𝐭 𝐈𝐬 𝐚 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 Meet Mishal Altuwaijri, a #KFUPM Computer Science student, reflecting on his semester at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore through the KFUPM Global Exchange Fellowship. “As I approach the end of my exchange, I realize how transformative this journey has been. Studying at NTU challenged me academically and pushed me to think more critically, especially through courses like Artificial Intelligence. These experiences not only strengthened my technical knowledge but also gave me a deeper appreciation for how theory connects to real world applications.” “Beyond academics, living in a new culture expanded my perspective in ways I never expected. Building friendships with students from around the world and traveling together to places like Vietnam and Malaysia made every moment meaningful. Exploring new cities and trying different foods was even more special when shared with people I had just met, yet quickly became close to.” This journey reflects how studying abroad empowers KFUPM students to grow academically, connect globally, and return with a broader perspective and lasting impact.

We are delighted to welcome the Rhodes Scholarship delegation to #KFUPM for an interactive session on one of the world’s most prestigious graduate opportunities at the University of Oxford. The session featured Prof. Christian Sahner, National Secretary of the Rhodes Scholarships for Saudi Arabia, Majd Abdulghani, Deputy National Secretary for the Rhodes Scholarship in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Najlaa Al Ghamdi, Advisor at the International Cooperation Deputyship Ministry of Education, and Dr. Burhan SaifAddin, KFUPM Rhodes Advisor. It provided valuable insights into the Rhodes Scholarship, including application guidelines and reflections from Osama Aljeraisy, a KFUPM Rhodes Scholar, aimed at elevating Saudi young leaders toward global academic excellence. We look forward to continuing collaboration in empowering the next generation of Saudi leaders to pursue world class opportunities and make a lasting global impact.

Meet Lenah Aloraine, a #KFUPM Industrial and Systems Engineering student, sharing her exchange semester experience at the University of Wisconsin Madison through the KFUPM Global Exchange Fellowship. “Studying within the ISyE department at UW Madison gave me a deeper understanding of how industrial engineering tools are applied in real world settings. Through semester long projects and hands on experiences, I was able to connect analytical methods with practical decision making. Being part of the ISyE Connections mentorship program also allowed me to learn from experienced professionals and navigate the field with greater clarity.” “Beyond academics, I made the most of campus life by joining student organizations such as Women in Business Technology, Model UN, and the Sailing Club. This experience allowed me to grow academically while exploring new opportunities, building connections, and fully engaging in a dynamic university environment.” Through experiences like Lenah’s, the KFUPM Global Exchange Fellowship continues to empower students to grow, explore, and build a global perspective that extends beyond the classroom.

Creative architecture, social responsibility, and global cultural exploration come together through #KFUPM Global Exchange Fellowship. Meet Asem Almahayni, a junior Architecture student, as he shares his exchange semester experience at Arizona State University. From people-centered campus design to impactful studio projects, including designing for the Indigenous community in downtown Phoenix, his journey blended design thinking with real-world purpose, meaningful connections, and a global perspective. KFUPM Global Exchange Fellowship continues to empower students to grow, think globally, and return with broader perspectives and deeper purpose.

Day in the life of a #KFUPM student through the Global Exchange Fellowship Meet Layan Alasmari, a Computer Science student, sharing a glimpse of her exchange semester at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. “From classes in Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms to campus walks, teamwork, and academic challenges, every day felt like part of a journey that went beyond the classroom.” A transformative experience that shaped learning, growth, and unforgettable memories.

Meet Abdullah Alsobayil, a #KFUPM Aerospace Engineering student, who completed an exchange semester at the University of California, Berkeley through the Global Exchange Fellowship. “Studying at UC Berkeley was both challenging and rewarding. From the very beginning, the academic environment pushed me to stay disciplined, adapt quickly, and continuously raise my performance,” Abdullah shared. He added, “Taking a mix of major and non-major courses allowed me to explore different fields and better understand how interdisciplinary learning drives innovation at Berkeley. It gave me a broader perspective on engineering and problem-solving.” Beyond academics, Abdullah reflected on the impact of the cultural experience: “Engaging with students from different backgrounds and experiencing a setting that blends history with cutting-edge innovation made the semester even more meaningful. It strengthened my confidence and prepared me to thrive in a global academic environment.” Abdullah’s journey highlights how KFUPM’s international exchange programs help students grow academically, culturally, and professionally through world-class global exposure.

Intelligent Planet Hackathon | Day 2 Highlights At #KFUPM, the day brought together inspiring talks and powerful discussions shaping the future of technology and sustainability. It opened with welcoming remarks by Dr. Abdullah Al-Sultan, Dean of College of Computing and Mathematics. Key highlights included keynote sessions featuring speakers from Aramco, Lancaster University, University of Luxembourg, and Google Cloud, along with two major panel discussions on: Responsible AI for Sustainable Innovation Semiconductors & Cyber-Physical Systems Big ideas. Brilliant minds. Real impact. #KFUPM #CCM #IntelligentPlanetHackathon #GoogleCloud #AI #Innovation #Semiconductors #CyberPhysicalSystems #Hackathon

Day 3 Highlights | Intelligent Planet Hackathon Finals. The final day of the Intelligent Planet Hackathon at #KFUPM, marked the culmination of innovation, creativity, and global collaboration. 25 teams from 24 countries presented their groundbreaking ideas in front of an esteemed panel of judges, showcasing solutions that address real-world challenges through technology and intelligent systems. The event was honored by the presence of Dr. Muhammad Al-Saggaf, KFUPM President, who encouraged students and celebrated their achievements. Winning Teams. 1st Place: Manara – Oman. 2nd Place: IntelliGents – Philippines. 3rd Place: VisionRain – Saudi Arabia. A powerful conclusion to a hackathon that brought together global talent, bold ideas, and the innovators shaping our intelligent future.

Day 1 Highlights | Intelligent Planet Hackathon The first day of the Intelligent Planet Hackathon at #KFUPM, in collaboration with Google Cloud, kicked off with great energy—bringing together students, experts, and innovators for an inspiring start. Day 1 included: CCM Roundtables across key focus areas: * AI & Cybersecurity * Semiconductor Design & Engineering * Data Science & Engineering * Game Design & Development Hackathon registration + networking Opening remarks by KFUPM & Google Cloud A hands-on Google Cloud Workshop on Cognitive Design: Building the Next Generation of Solutions A full day of collaboration, learning, and innovation More hackathon moments coming soon! #KFUPM #IntelligentPlanetHackathon #GoogleCloud #Innovation #AI #Cybersecurity #Semiconductors #DataScience #GameDevelopment #Hackathon

Two panels. One critical conversation. #KFUPM presents the Intelligent Planet Hackathon Panel Discussions, bringing together experts from industry and leading global institutions to examine: * Responsible AI for Sustainable Innovation * Semiconductors & Cyber-Physical Systems These sessions connect cutting-edge research with real-world deployment and policy realities. Register now to join the discussion: intelligentplanet.org/

Celebrating Global Research and Students Innovation at #KFUPM We were pleased to host the Young Scholar Fellowship Expo, where KFUPM undergraduate students showcased their global summer research projects across leading universities and institutions worldwide, reflecting the strength of our students’ scientific curiosity, technical depth, and global perspective. Congratulations to the top outstanding research projects: 🥇Alaa Alshaikhi - A KFUPM Young Scholar at the University of Manchester 🥈Layan Alhomidan - A KFUPM Young Scholar at the University of Manchester 🥉Farah Fallatah - A KFUPM Young Scholar at the University of Alberta The event took place during the International Advisory Board visit, featured diverse research disciplines and interactive discussions. It brought together students, faculty, and guests to celebrate global discovery and academic excellence. Through the Young Scholar Fellowship, we continue to empower KFUPM students with meaningful international research experiences that strengthen their capabilities and broaden their horizons.

We were pleased to welcome a distinguished delegation from the China University of Petroleum, Beijing, led by Prof. Tongqi Wang, Chancellor of CUPB, along with deans and representatives from petroleum engineering, geosciences, future energy, undergraduate studies, and international engagement. The delegation met with Dr. Muhammad Al-Saggaf, President of #KFUPM, with discussions focused on exploring future collaboration in research, academic programs, and student mobility. The delegation explored KFUPM’s strong capabilities in petroleum engineering, geoscience research, and future energy technologies, showcased by Dr. Ali Alyousef, Dean of the College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences. Further discussions on shared interests in energy transformation and applied research were led by Dr. Wael Fouad, Director of IRC-RAC & PCRC, at the Petroleum Conversion Research Center in Dhahran Techno Valley. This engagement reflects the growing potential for collaboration between KFUPM and CUPB in advancing energy research and academic excellence, while strengthening international connections that foster knowledge, innovation, and future opportunities.