Jul 01, 2025

KFUPM Explorers Take Part in Global Dialogue

With notebooks in hand and questions on their minds, KFUPM Explorers’ latest journey took them to Austria. As always, they weren’t just tourists but students of the world—seeking knowledge beyond the classroom.

Their destination, the capital city of Vienna—a center of diplomacy, education, and international cooperation—provided a rare opportunity to engage directly with global institutions. The students visited the Saudi Embassy, where they met with H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Khaled Tola, a KFUPM alumnus, and discussed both his academic journey and diplomatic career. They also visited the Saudi Cultural Mission, where they learned about the educational landscape in Austria and the challenges faced by Saudi students studying abroad. Additionally, they toured the United Nations headquarters and attended a brief session related to nuclear policy, offering a glimpse into how international dialogue is shaped.

Throughout the trip, the students represented KFUPM and Saudi Arabia with professionalism—engaging in meaningful conversations with locals, exchanging perspectives, and building bridges between cultures.

The trip was grounded in teamwork. Each student took on key roles—organizing flights, accommodations, and visits—coordinating schedules and managing unexpected changes. This hands-on experience sharpened their leadership and collaboration skills in real-time.

The trip, like all the other ones in the KFUPM Explorers series, was envisioned, planned, and executed by the students themselves. This continues to attest to the university’s emphasis on self-reliance as one of our students’ 7 habits. KFUPM’s support and complete trust give students the confidence to move through the world on their own terms.

Ultimately, the Explorers returned with more than global insights—they brought back a deeper understanding of how initiative, adaptability, and cross-cultural awareness can turn a student-led journey into a transformative experience.