Jul 28, 2025

Scientific Talent Shines at KFUPM’s Mawhiba Event

Excitement filled the air on Thursday, July 24th, as KFUPM and the Mawhiba Foundation celebrated the graduation of the outstanding students of the Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program. The event reflected a shared sense of pride, with students eager to showcase their scientific work, families proud of their children's achievements, and the university marking the successful conclusion of another impactful program cycle.

The students presented innovative research projects focused on energy, sustainability, and technology. Among them was Jomanah Talal, participating in the program for the second consecutive year, who conducted a study on energy generation using date pits. Her innovative thinking stood out as a reflection of the program’s impact.

From the male students’ side, Ali Alassaf Alshehri showcased how technology could support elderly individuals with memory loss. His research proposed a digital system that acts as a personal memory archive, storing daily moments and helping users recall meaningful life details.

The Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program is a flagship initiative, jointly run by KFUPM and Mawhiba, aimed at developing research skills among exceptional high school students. Now in its fourth edition, the program attracted 58 top-tier students from across the Kingdom, selected based on carefully evaluated research proposals developed under expert academic supervision.

What sets the program apart is its immersive experience. Students conduct hands-on research alongside leading scientists in several of KFUPM’s 20+ research centers.

Over the years, the program has made a notable societal impact, with its participants winning the highest number of awards for Saudi Arabia at international competitions such as the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The students have consistently led the Kingdom’s achievements in these forums, making the university the most awarded research institution in the country.

Dr. Khalid Ali Alanezy, Director of the Research Enrichment Program, remarked, “This initiative is a result of a genuine national collaboration, focused on building a generation of Saudi youth equipped to lead in science and research.”

In his closing remarks, Dr. Ali Ahmad Al-Shaikhi, KFUPM’s Vice President for Research and Innovation, addressed the students as “the scientific dream of the nation,” adding, “all of us here and the world with us believe in you and your power to achieve the extraordinary.”

With each new edition, the program continues to empower future scientists and innovators, helping shape a generation ready to elevate Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global scientific stage.