King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is actively fostering opportunities for Saudi Arabian youth by promoting research and innovation in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and space exploration. Collaborating with the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission and the Saudi Space Agency, KAUST initiated the Space 2102 program to advance these objectives.
The Space 2102 program welcomed 150 exceptional students, aged 13 to 15, from diverse regions, for a comprehensive five-day event. A team comprising international experts and KAUST faculty members delivered training and educational sessions to the participants. The program encompassed a series of lectures, software training sessions, and enrichment activities meticulously crafted to facilitate the students' learning journey. Dr. Najah Ashry, the vice president of the strategic national advancement division at KAUST, underscored the program's triumph in nurturing the aspirations of gifted Saudi youth in the realms of science, technology, and space exploration.
KAUST's proactive approach to early enrichment activities plays a pivotal role in engaging top-tier young talents in the program. This approach enhances the prospects of cultivating a cadre of future leaders and entrepreneurs grounded in scientific knowledge, thereby ushering in a new era of leadership, research, and exploration within the Kingdom.
The culminating event of the Space 2102 program featured a CubeSat challenge, where participating teams leveraged technology to devise and assess their own missions. The challenge focused on utilizing scientific and technological advancements to address the conservation and rehabilitation of coral reefs in the Red Sea.
In summary, KAUST's Space 2102 program stands as a testament to its commitment to empowering Saudi Arabian youth by providing them with access to cutting-edge STEM education, fostering innovation, and nurturing a passion for exploration and discovery in the fields of science and space technology.
