The summit, hosted by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), brought together approximately 750 participants and 105 keynote speakers representing 75 institutions from 28 countries.

At the 2025 Times Higher Education World Academic Summit, King Abdulaziz University highlights its innovative research and commitment to empowering students as global academic ambassadors.

KAU’s participation spotlighted its remarkable contributions to national development and scientific advancement, reinforcing its status as a leading academic institution in the region.

The university’s pavilion served as a showcase of its latest research initiatives, highlighting projects that are advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and addressing real-world challenges across multiple disciplines.

Representing KAU were student ambassadors Walid Abou Al-Hassan from the Faculty of Engineering, Fadia Ashmawy from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, and Abdullah Al-Qarni from the Faculty of Earth Sciences.

These students played a vital role in engaging summit attendees, presenting the university’s achievements, and exemplifying the quality of KAU’s educational programs. Their participation reflected the university’s philosophy of empowering students to become active contributors to global academic discourse.

King Abdulaziz University reaffirmed its commitment to providing an environment where students can thrive as innovators, researchers, and leaders.

By equipping students with the skills to represent the institution internationally, KAU underscores the importance of nurturing talent that contributes not only to the university’s success but also to societal development and global knowledge exchange.

President Tareef bin Yousuf Al-Aama participated in a high-profile panel discussion titled “The Future of Medicine and Public Health,” which explored how academic programs can be developed to meet the evolving health and well-being needs of society.

The session emphasized the significance of engaging with communities to set research priorities and maximize the societal impact of scientific discoveries.

Through initiatives like these, KAU continues to strengthen its research capabilities and align its academic programs with the needs of the wider community.

By focusing on areas such as engineering, computer science, earth sciences, and medicine, the university demonstrates how higher education institutions can serve as engines of progress, contributing to innovation, sustainability, and the overall development of society.

The summit provided KAU with a unique platform to network with global academic leaders, exchange insights, and explore collaborative opportunities.

It also reinforced the university’s vision of fostering international partnerships that enhance research impact and provide students and faculty with access to cutting-edge resources and knowledge.

KAU’s engagement at the THE World Academic Summit reflects its broader commitment to achieving excellence in education, research, and community engagement.

The university continues to prioritize initiatives that advance scientific discovery, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and prepare the next generation of leaders to contribute meaningfully to both local and global communities.

By showcasing its achievements on such a prestigious global stage, King Abdulaziz University strengthens its reputation as a forward-looking institution dedicated to academic innovation, student empowerment, and impactful research.

Its ongoing efforts demonstrate how universities can serve as catalysts for positive change, supporting economic growth, technological advancement, and societal well-being across the Kingdom and beyond.

As KAU continues to expand its research programs and foster global partnerships, the university remains a shining example of how higher education can be leveraged to create meaningful progress, nurture talent, and drive innovation that benefits communities worldwide.

With the strong support of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), four Saudi teams—Rimah, Yalla, Giddam, and Sadeem—secured two prestigious awards at the 20th Aramco STEM Racing World Finals, held in Singapore from September 25 to October 1, 2025.

The event, recognized as the largest global celebration of STEM education, brought together more than 90 teams representing 50 countries. Students competed in designing, building, and racing miniature Formula One vehicles, a hands-on program that combines theoretical knowledge with practical engineering skills. For the Saudi teams, the competition was an opportunity to showcase the nation’s growing talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics on an international platform.

The achievement was historic: the Saudi teams broke into the global top 10, marking the first time the Kingdom had multiple teams ranked so highly in the competition’s history. This milestone not only highlights the quality of STEM education in Saudi Arabia but also positions the Kingdom as a rising hub for young engineering talent.

Maha Abdulhadi, head of the STEM Racing KSA Program at Ithra, praised the students’ efforts: “Winning two international awards is a proud moment for Saudi Arabia and a testament to the ambition and resilience of our youth.

Earning a place among the global top 10 proves the Kingdom’s capacity to lead in applied education and innovation. This achievement is not an endpoint but the beginning of a greater journey toward even more international success.”

The journey to this global recognition began months earlier. The four teams earned their spots in Singapore after winning the Saudi National STEM Racing Finals, hosted at Ithra in Dhahran. Since December 2024, the fourth edition of STEM Racing KSA engaged more than 280 students aged 14 to 16 from six cities across Saudi Arabia.

The program is designed to combine classroom learning with real-world engineering experience, fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and technical skills in young learners.

STEM Racing KSA, originally launched in 2022 as F1 in Schools before evolving under Ithra’s guidance, enables students to design and manufacture miniature race cars powered by compressed gas cylinders that race on actual tracks. Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes project management, design thinking, and entrepreneurship, preparing students for careers in science and innovation.

Aramco’s continued support of the initiative has been instrumental in expanding the program’s reach and enhancing its quality. By providing mentorship, access to cutting-edge resources, and guidance from industry experts, the program ensures students gain hands-on experience that aligns with global standards in STEM education.

Saudi teams have steadily built a strong record of success in recent years. Previous accolades include the FIA Women in Motorsport Award (2022), the Innovation Thinking Award (2023), and multiple honors in 2024, such as the Best Engineered Car Award, Best Enterprise Portfolio Award, and Best Application of Management Award. This year’s achievements reinforce the Kingdom’s reputation as a nation nurturing world-class young talent in science, technology, and innovation.

The Aramco STEM Racing World Finals serve not only as a competition but also as a platform for international collaboration. Students gain exposure to diverse cultures, exchange innovative ideas, and experience first-hand the global impact of STEM disciplines. For Saudi Arabia, such achievements underscore the effectiveness of programs like STEM Racing KSA in cultivating a generation capable of contributing to the nation’s Vision 2030 goals, particularly in building a knowledge-based economy and advancing technological leadership.

As Saudi youth continue to excel on global platforms, the Kingdom’s commitment to education, creativity, and innovation is increasingly evident. Programs like STEM Racing KSA demonstrate that with vision, mentorship, and determination, Saudi students can not only compete but lead on the world stage.

For the students of Rimah, Yalla, Giddam, and Sadeem, the experience is just the beginning. With global recognition secured and international awards in hand, they return home inspired to push boundaries, innovate further, and continue raising Saudi Arabia’s profile as a hub of talent and creativity in STEM.