KFUPM Global Engagement

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.

#KFUPM VentureCraft 100K Challenge applications are now open! A global, student-led deep-tech startup competition tackling sustainable energy and industrial challenges. $245K+ in prizes. Hosted by KFUPM in collabretion with DTV. 🗓 Deadline: End of February #KFUPM_ventureCraft

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.

Top 80 Global Teams Selected for the Intelligent Planet Hackathon From over 2,000 applicants across 200+ universities and 45+ countries, the top 80 teams have now been selected. These global finalists have begun their mentorship and technical development sessions with Google Cloud experts, working with Gemini, Vertex AI, and Google Cloud technologies. Following this phase, the highest-performing teams will be invited to #KFUPM to participate in the Intelligent Planet Global Conference and the final round of the competition. Congratulations to all shortlisted teams for advancing to this stage. We look forward to seeing your concepts strengthened through the mentorship program and progressing toward the final selection for the global conference at KFUPM.

We were pleased to host the finale of The New White Gold Rush Competition at #KFUPM, bringing together the top student teams from KFUPM and the University of Waterloo to present their research and solutions in natural hydrogen and sustainable energy. We proudly congratulate the winning teams for their outstanding achievements: 🥇 HydroNova – KFUPM 🥈 H2NO – University of Waterloo 🥉 Zero Waste – KFUPM The competition highlighted strong technical depth, collaboration between both universities, and meaningful innovation in the natural hydrogen space. We thank the College of Petroleum and Geosciences at KFUPM, the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo, mentors, judges, and all participating teams for contributing to a successful and impactful event.

KFUPM Global Exchange Fellowship Recognized on the Global Stage! We are proud to share that the #KFUPM Global Exchange Fellowship has been named the winner of the “Outbound Mobility – Organizational Award” at the 2025 DA Global IMPACT Conference, an internationally respected platform that celebrates innovation, excellence, and impact in global education and mobility programs. This award highlights KFUPM’s dedication to empowering students through transformative international experiences that develop technical expertise, global perspectives, and cross-cultural collaboration. It is a testament to the university’s commitment to preparing students as globally-minded leaders of tomorrow. We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners and collaborators whose support makes such achievements possible and strengthens KFUPM’s role on the international stage. Together, we continue to advance global education, collaboration, and impact. #GIC25 #DAGlobalIMPACTAwards #MyGlobalImpact #KFUPMGlobal