May 13, 2025

President’s Medal Honors Achievement in 5 Tracks

The spirit of achievement lit up the campus as KFUPM hosted the President’s Medal Ceremony 2025, the university’s highest student honor, recognizing outstanding students across five distinct tracks: Academic Achievement, Distinguished Achievements, Scientific Research & Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Small Enterprises, and Student Activities.

Held on May 7, the event began with opening remarks from the Dean of Student Affairs, followed by inspiring short films highlighting the journeys of each winner. Interactive segments, engaging giveaways, and vibrant student participation added to the celebratory atmosphere.

In a proud and historic moment for the university, female students won three out of the five medals, an unprecedented showing that reflects the rising competitiveness and excellence of KFUPM’s female student community. Each award spotlighted a different pillar of achievement:

• Distinguished Achievements: The KFUPM Drone Team—Abdulrahman Alharbi, Wael Sulais, Mohammed Alshaikh, and Ahmad Alrabeah—secured 1st place at the 2024 SUAS Competition in Maryland, USA, with a cutting-edge autonomous drone system built on real-time computer vision.
• Entrepreneurship & Small Enterprises: Lama Alharbi, a Chemical Engineering student, founded Zillak, the Kingdom’s first platform connecting families with specialists in autism and developmental care. Within a month, she reached over 1,300 users and won top honors at the 2024 Misk Innovation Diwan.
• Student Activities: Dhiaaddin Hamidaddin led vibrant campus initiatives including TEDxKFUPM and KFUPM Gaming+ 2024, while also developing Nashat, an engagement platform built in collaboration with Student Affairs.
• Scientific Research & Innovation: Fatimah Alhassan contributed to hydrogen energy research with multiple conference presentations, a Q1 publication, and a RETi-funded project exploring hydrogen production from plastic waste.
• Academic Achievement: Malak Kamaleldin completed 97 credit hours with a 3.99 GPA, while also working as a tutor and representing Al-Qadsiah Club as a professional basketball player, demonstrating excellence in both academics and athletics.

The ceremony reached its peak as the University President presented the medals, celebrating students whose dedication and accomplishments reflect the university’s commitment to excellence and leadership.

The evening concluded with a shared dinner and a deep sense of pride in the transformative impact these students continue to have—each one a reflection of the 7 habits of KFUPM students, and a beacon of what’s possible when talent meets purpose.