Faculty from the KAUST BESE Division recently joined more than 300 undergraduate students from the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) in Washington, D.C. for KGSP Convocation 2026, an annual gathering that reconnects Saudi Arabia’s most promising STEM students with the University shaping their future.

As part of KGSP’s research and mentoring program, BESE faculty engaged directly with students through research showcases, thematic discussions, and one on one conversations exploring graduate pathways and research opportunities at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

Participating BESE faculty included Prof. Kyle Lauersen, Prof. Francesca Benzoni, and Prof. Rod Wing.

Together, they highlighted the breadth of BESE research across the life and environmental sciences and engineering, including bioengineering, environmental science, marine ecosystems, and plant genomics. These areas align closely with the Kingdom’s priorities in sustainability, food security, and environmental resilience.

Beyond presenting research, faculty played a critical mentoring role, helping students envision their transition from undergraduate study abroad to advanced research and innovation within the Kingdom. Prof. Kyle Lauersen reflected on the engagement of the cohort, saying, “I was struck by the energy of the KGSP students. They were obviously excited to see each other, which makes sense in a once a year conference, but beyond that, they showed a genuine interest in Science, Sustainability and how they can participate in the issue that matter for the future of the Kingdom and the World generally.”

Prof. Rod Wing emphasized the importance of research experience and internships in building this pathway, noting, “The KGSP program works very hard to set up summer internships each year to gain research experience. The hope is that many will perform at least one at KAUST.”

The Convocation also featured an address by HRH Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States. 

KGSP continues to serve as a vital bridge between KAUST and its undergraduate scholars worldwide, strengthening academic continuity and reinforcing BESE’s role in developing scientific talent equipped to address national and global challenges.