Oct 07, 2025
From Earth to the Stars: Celebrating World Space Week
On October 6, 2025, KFUPM celebrated World Space Week with a dynamic event titled Beyond Horizons, organized by the KFUPM Aerospace Engineering Club. The event ran from noon until evening and attracted around 600 students, featuring an array of interactive activities including panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and competitions.
The event opened with inspiring remarks from Dr. Ali Al-Shaikhi, KFUPM’s Vice President for Research and Innovation, who expressed pride in the students’ initiative in organizing such a significant event. He highlighted how the activity reflects the Seven Habits of KFUPM students, particularly independence and teamwork.
One of the main sessions, titled “From Stars to Society: Connecting Space Science, Engineering, and Policy,” explored how advancements in space exploration contribute to solving challenges on Earth. Speakers discussed how innovations developed for space missions have led to technologies that improve everyday life.
Among the notable guests was Prof. Danielle Wood, Assistant Professor at the MIT Media Lab and Director of the Space Enabled Research Group. A global leader in space sustainability and policy, she delivered a keynote titled “Harnessing Space for a Sustainable Future” and joined the panel “From Stars to Society.”
This year’s World Space Week carried the global theme “Living in Space.” In a featured video message, Saudi astronaut Ali AlQarni reflected on his space experience, noting that space is not distant but deeply connected to our daily lives. “Many technologies that make our lives easier were developed and tested in space,” he shared, emphasizing the importance of recognizing space as a living laboratory that drives human progress.
The event’s success reflected the strong support from the Deanship of Student Affairs and the Global Engagement, who empowered students with guidance, resources, and connections to international speakers. Their collaboration ensured the event’s smooth organization and helped students achieve its overarching goal, inspiring a new generation to explore space with purpose and innovation.
Through Beyond Horizons, the university demonstrated its commitment to advancing space education by establishing a dedicated college, continuously developing its academic programs, and attracting world-class faculty. The event reflected KFUPM’s mission to inspire a new generation of Saudi innovators ready to carry the nation’s name to new frontiers in space exploration.