Jul 26, 2026

240 Students Showcase Innovation Through Academic Enrichment

After three weeks of immersive academic learning, innovation, and hands-on experimentation, KFUPM celebrated the graduation of 240 talented students from the Mawhiba Academic Enrichment Program, one of the Mawhiba Summer Programs. The closing ceremony was held on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

The event began with a student project exhibition featuring 42 outstanding projects developed by selected participants across six academic tracks, including Rocketry and Space Missions, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Principles of Design Engineering. The exhibition highlighted how students transformed the knowledge and skills they acquired throughout the program into practical, innovative solutions.

Among the standout projects was a desert hotel concept developed by students in the Design Engineering track. The design addressed environmental challenges such as heat, strong winds, and energy consumption through climate-responsive architectural solutions inspired by the local environment. In the Cybersecurity track, students developed an interactive platform that enables users to assess the safety of website links by analyzing URLs and providing an indicator of their security level. Meanwhile, students in the Rocketry and Space Missions track designed a rocket, produced it using 3D printing technology, programmed its control system, and successfully conducted a live launch test.

The exhibition was followed by the closing ceremony, attended by Dr. Mesfer Al-Zahrani, KFUPM Vice President for Academic Affairs, alongside university leaders, faculty members, students, and their families. During the ceremony, Dr. Riyad Ashmeel, Director of the Mawhiba Program at KFUPM, reflected on the program's long-term impact, saying:

"Over the past eight years with the Mawhiba Program, I have seen hundreds of talented students walk through these halls. Today, some of them are studying at the world's leading universities, others have begun their professional careers, and many are achieving accomplishments that make us all proud."

The ceremony also featured a series of presentations highlighting the students' journey throughout the program, showcasing their learning experiences, academic achievements, and personal growth. The event concluded with the recognition of outstanding students across the program's various academic tracks.

Building on a longstanding partnership dedicated to nurturing gifted students, the Mawhiba Academic Enrichment Program at KFUPM continues to offer participants an inspiring university environment that blends academic excellence, scientific exploration, and hands-on learning. Following the success of previous editions, including the 2025 program, this year's event further reflected the program's growing impact in empowering the next generation of innovators.