Sculpting the Future of Mining: KFUPM at FMF 2025

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) played a prominent role in the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) held in Riyadh from January 14 to 16, 2025. As the world's leading platform for the minerals industry, the FMF brought together governments, international organizations, and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of minerals, making it an ideal venue for KFUPM to showcase its advancements and contributions to the sector.

The delegation from KFUPM’s College of Petroleum Engineering & Geosciences (CPG) headed by the Dean, Dr. Ali Alyousef, actively participated in various activities throughout the forum. The delegation had the chance to communicate and network with main stakeholders in the mining sector in the Kingdom, including Ma’aden and Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and to discuss technologies relevant to CPG’s academic and research programs. The delegation of faculty and students also had the chance to meet with HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy, who encouraged the students to become future leaders of the industry.

The Forum was well attended by KFUPM students. 50 students from the new Mining Science and Engineering program, sponsored by Ma’aden and Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, were welcomed to attend. The students voiced how incredible were the networking opportunities available at the forum, including international perspectives, and that having direct conversations enhanced students’ understanding of how companies in the industry navigate challenges. Through their dedicated engagement, these KFUPM students stood out as wonderful ambassadors not only for their program but also for the bright opportunities available in KFUPM.

At the university's booth, visitors were introduced to a range of innovative technologies that the college employs to educate and inspire students. Among the highlights was a demonstration of Virtual Reality (VR) and advanced learning tools that are integral to the college's approach to modern education. The booth also featured the recently launched Mining Science and Engineering Program, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and Maaden. This new program, designed to address the global shortage of skilled professionals in the mining sector, was a focal point of KFUPM's exhibition, emphasizing the opportunities it presents for students, faculty, and researchers.

A key feature of KFUPM’s participation was the involvement of KFUPM’s President, Dr. Muhammad Al-Saggaf, in delivering an insightful speech titled “Developing the Next Generation of Workers for the Global Future Minerals Industry.” He emphasized the crucial role of investment and talent in driving growth in the mining sector, especially in addressing the challenges posed by the lack of emerging talent. Dr. Al-Saggaf articulated KFUPM's educational philosophy, stating, "Our philosophy at the university is to teach our students to create jobs, not just seek jobs." His remarks resonated with the forum's audience, reinforcing KFUPM’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among its students.

Adding to the university's impact at the forum was involvement in the Knowledge Exchange program, a platform launched at FMF 2025 to facilitate discussions on pressing challenges in the minerals industry. Dr. John Humphrey, Associate Professor and Chairman of the Geosciences Department at KFUPM-CPG, contributed to a panel session focusing on talent development and increasing human capacity in the industry. With the rapid growth and rising global demand for mineral commodities, Dr. Humphrey highlighted the essential role of higher education in addressing the industry’s human capital needs. He elaborated on how KFUPM is at the forefront of talent development within the Kingdom, preparing the next generation of industry leaders.

KFUPM’s active participation in the Future Minerals Forum 2025 underscored its leadership and innovative contributions to the global minerals industry, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping the future of mining and workforce development.