Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (January 24, 2008) — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) today announced the names of the first group of KAUST Discovery Scholarship recipients, awarded to outstanding engineering and technology undergraduate students at world universities. Scholarship recipients will be enrolled at KAUST upon graduation in order to pursue their post-graduate studies when the KAUST campus opens in September 2009.
KAUST Interim President Nadhmi Al-Nasr said that selected students are currently studying at prestigious and distinguished world universities.
One hundred and seventy eight male and female students received scholarships, including more than 80 students from Saudi universities.
Al-Nasr said that selection of the scholarship awardees was based on high academic criteria, and was overseen by independent international academic committees, who considered the universities’ standing and the students’ scores and research skills.
He also noted the importance of the KAUST Discovery Scholarship program as another step in the efforts made to realize the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for establishing a world-class research university in Saudi Arabia and to bring it into existence.
KAUST Interim Provost Ahmad Al-Khowaiter said that KAUST selected students with extraordinary talents and potential. They will help, together with their professors, accelerate the scientific and research development in Saudi Arabia, the region and the world in an environment that has a passion for knowledge, creative spirit and innovation.
Within the next few months, KAUST will announce the names of the second group of students who have been awarded KAUST scholarships. The number of the second group is expected to total approximately 350. Students may apply directly for the scholarship, or may be named by their professors or directors at their current universities. All applicants must complete an online application and mail or attach all the required documents before the end of March 2008. Application forms and scholarship criteria as well as other information can be accessed on the KAUST Web site: www.kaust.edu.sa
About KAUST
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is being built in Saudi Arabia as an international, graduate-level research university dedicated to inspiring a new age of scientific achievement in the Kingdom, the region and around the globe. As an independent, merit-based institution, KAUST will employ many of the best practices from leading research universities and enable top researchers from around the globe to work together to solve challenging scientific and technological issues. The KAUST global research and education network will support diverse talents, both on its campus and at other premier universities and research institutions, through collaborative research agreements, grants, and student scholarship programs. The core campus, located on more than 36 square kilometers on the Red Sea at Thuwal, is set to open in September 2009. For more information about KAUST, visit www.kaust.edu.sa