Not one, but two King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) graduates have received the prestigious MIT–KACST Ibn Khaldun Fellowship for Saudi Arabian Women — an honor highlighting the growing international profile of Saudi women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

“Receiving this fellowship is particularly meaningful to me because I had known about the program since I was an undergraduate and had watched several Saudi women I admired receive it,” said Rawan Alghamdi, who finished her Ph.D. in August. The fellowship marks the next stage in her research, which she began at KAUST, to extend reliable wireless connectivity beyond the limits of conventional cellular networks. 

Alghamdi learned of her fellowship acceptance while in Riyadh, where she was teaching Saudi undergraduate students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and deep learning as an instructor in the KAUST Academy AI specialization program. “I had to read the email three times to believe I got the fellowship,” she said. 

Banan Alhazmi, who earned a Ph.D. in environmental science and engineering, said receiving the fellowship is a privilege and praised the opportunities it provides Saudi women to pursue their ambitions. “I hope I can share what I learn from this experience and, in turn, help create similar opportunities for other women in STEM.” 

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