SRSI 2016 Alumni Advance to National Competition
A record breaking 28 Saudi Research Science Institute (SRSI) alumni from 2016, 14 girls and 14 boys, were recently selected to advance to the National Ibdaa competition (National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity) in Riyadh in March. Advancing to this level of the competition is a major accomplishment for these students as the pool began with over 35,000 students from throughout the Kingdom. Four thousand of these students were subsequently judged through an online procedure during January 2017, with only 106 being selected to advance to the national fair in March at Princess Noura University. We congratulate these 28 SRSI students, representing over 25% of students selected.
While the recognition of our alumni’s intellect, talent, dedication and motivation is gratifying, more important to KAUST is the fact the results bode well for these students’ future enrollment in the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP). Serving as a pipeline to KGSP and then to KAUST, SRSI motivates and prepares students to enroll in top universities to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. While the students reside and conduct research here at KAUST during the summer institute, they are also exposed to KAUST faculty, scientific facilities and library, housing and community life, which fosters a desire to return for graduate studies.
Along with these congratulations to our alumni, goes a deep expression of appreciation to the KAUST faculty and their teams who generously open their labs to these promising, talented students. Without the opportunity for hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art, scientific setting and guidance of experienced, enthusiastic researchers, some of these students might not continue with their love of science, math, engineering and technology.
See the attached list of the students’ names and project titles, along with the names of their mentors. In late March, 18 students will be selected to represent the Kingdom at the ISEF competition and ISEF and 8 for the ITEX.
Class of 2017 Selected
In January, representatives from Stanford and Duke Universities joined with KAUST representatives from all 3 divisions, Admissions, and Saudi Affairs to select the class of 2017. Forty-two students, 19 females and 23 males, will be joining the program.
Anne Sjostrom, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admission for Duke University reflected on her experience as a member of the Admission Committee: “I felt so profoundly connected by our shared goals in promoting international education. Since then, I’m reminded of the urgent importance of our continued efforts to work together. My greatest hope is that we might make a difference, not just for individual students but also for our countries and their intertwined futures.”
Mentors are needed for 2017. For more information, or to serve as a mentor, please contact SRSI at SRSI.MentorRecruitment@KAUST.EDU.SA.