Apr 24, 2025
From Overcoming to Becoming: A Celebration of Class 55's Graduation
Under the gleam of stadium lights, the latest cohort of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) graduates took their final walk as students on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025. As they crossed the grand walkway, Class 55 banners and light sparklers greeted the incoming procession of black and white regalia with metallic accents draping over proudly squared shoulders. Hundreds of flashes capturing that iconic moment kept pulsing through the air, and rightfully so.
The ceremony was the closing scene of a story written in late-night study sessions, sacrificed weekends, and the occasional self-doubt. As each graduate filed into the large open-air seating, there was a visible shift. For a moment, time slowed and their pride took shape; it showed in every stance, every lifted chin, and every waving hand.
In that moment, the challenges they had faced – juggled priorities, exams, sleep deprivation, and personal battles – were all a matter of the past. They had pushed through demanding coursework and overcome times when giving up felt easier. On this day, they were no longer students, but individuals who had stretched their limits and redefined their identities.
Amid those challenges, beautiful memories abounded. These moments were also celebrated, privately and openly. Reels and collages, cheering whistles and hugs, all played out throughout the ceremony. They showed both gratitude and nostalgia, both excitement and longing for this night not to be the end.
Keynotes and family speeches amplified the excitement, building new momentum for the graduates’ future. Their words reverberated through the speakers. They were bold words, filled with inspiration and confidence in what these young adults could go on to achieve. Phrases like “leaders of tomorrow” and “this is not the end” were felt deeply by all in attendance.
Indeed, it is not the end for these talented youth; their academic victories are only the beginning. With the world as their oyster, they now step into a future shaped by ambition, not just in their chosen fields, but in the lives they will touch and the communities they will build.
Dignitaries Celebrate the Class of 55
Held under the patronage of HRH Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, and in the presence of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy and Chairman of KFUPM’s Board of Trustees, the graduation ceremony marked the culmination of a five-year academic journey for the Class of 55.
In his address, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman expressed heartfelt congratulations to the graduates, saying:
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our daughters and sons, the graduates, for their well-deserved achievements. I wish them a bright future and a fulfilling journey ahead.”
KFUPM President Dr. Muhammad Al-Saggaf echoed this sentiment, reaffirming the university’s mission:
“At KFUPM, the journey of passion begins and never truly ends. Today, we bid farewell to one graduating class while embracing the promise of those yet to come. The ceremony may conclude, but the story continues.”
The event featured interactive competitions, live performances by graduates, family tributes, and memorable giveaways — adding an extra layer of joy and community spirit to the night.
