Join us for a day of insight, connection, and opportunity.
The Bridging Horizons event, organized by the KAUST Strategy Office of the Office of the Provost and the Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, brings together leading voices from the European Union and KAUST to explore mobility opportunities and new frontiers in science, innovation, and talent development.
Open to all students, researchers, and post-docs, the event offers a unique chance to learn EU engagement opportunities for mobility and science collaborations and discover pathways for career advancement and startup support.
Whether you want to grow your research collaborations, expand your career in Europe, or explore mobility and funding opportunities, this is your gateway.
May 22, 2025
Building 19, Mosti Room
Let’s build bridges—across disciplines, across borders.
10:00–11:00 a.m.—Keynote session
Speaker: H.E. Mr. Christophe Farnaud – EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Topic: EU Mobility and Collaboration Opportunities in Health, Climate, Energy, and Digital (including Space) across EU funding programs
The EU Ambassador will highlight opportunities for students and researchers’ mobility and further EU engagement opportunities relevant to KAUST.
Moderator: Luca Polizzi
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.—Career Development Talk
Panelists:
- Claude Mourey, Executive Energy Advisor
- Prof. Ana Margarida Costa, Professor of Practice of Sustainability, PSE Division
- Dr. Julien Gorenflot, Research Scientist, PSE Division
- Salma Alsinan, Scientific Research ARAMCO, KAUST Ph.D. Student
This session explores European career pathways with firsthand insights from KAUST faculty and EU experts. Learn how to tap into international networks and boost your professional growth.
Moderator: Francesca Serra
12:30 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. – Talk
Speaker: Dr. Vijiaykumar Marakatti, Research Scientist, KAUST
Topic: My MSCA Journey: a Gateway to European Research Excellence
Offered by the Office of the Provost and the PSE Division in cooperation with the EU Delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia