Oct 09, 2025

Empowering Youth at the Nonprofit Development Forum

KFUPM launched the 12th Nonprofit Sector Development Forum under the theme “Empowering Youth.” Held from October 7 to 9, 2025, the three-day event began with a series of specialized workshops and continued with panel discussions and keynote talks delivered by experts in youth development and empowerment from around the world.

The forum’s second day opened with inspiring remarks from Dr. Ali Al-Shaikhi, KFUPM’s Vice President for Research and Innovation, who emphasized the university’s belief that “knowledge is only complete when it serves humanity.” He highlighted KFUPM’s 25 research centers that actively contribute to society, training more than 50,000 leaders and changemakers whose initiatives have reached over 300 cities and villages across the Kingdom.

Dr. Basem Al-Madani, Director of the Applied Center for the Nonprofit Sector and Community Development, shared that the center was established nearly 15 years ago as the first of its kind in the region, specializing in this unique field. He noted that the center has since launched numerous impactful initiatives across Saudi Arabia, including the “Rasheed” program, which supports 37 schools.

The forum was organized by the KFUPM Institute for Knowledge Exchange (KIKx), Al Fozan Academy, and the Applied Research Center for Nonprofit Development, bringing together thought leaders and practitioners to inspire and equip the next generation of changemakers.

The forum explored diverse dimensions of youth empowerment, addressing the psychological aspects that influence young people’s productivity, their preparation for leadership roles, and their engagement in volunteerism. Discussions also examined strategies to develop youth potential in the era of artificial intelligence.

A notable participant was Harvard Business Impact, which collaborated with the university to make its training courses available online for all forum attendees, an initiative aimed at enriching youth knowledge and equipping them with the skills to lead the future.

Through the Nonprofit Sector Development Forum, KFUPM reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a generation of empowered and capable youth who can drive community growth and contribute to sustainable national development.