Events and Highlights

At KFUPM, we are committed to fostering innovation, research excellence, and global collaboration. This page provides news and updates from Global Engagement, featuring highlights from our international and national events, conferences, and achievements.

Join us in promoting knowledge exchange, cultural understanding, and collaborative research. Explore opportunities to engage with the global academic community.
For inquiries, contact global@kfupm.edu.sa

Upcoming Events

Orbiting Around a CompetitionTaking Advantage of Natural Synergies.

05 Apr

RoboNexus

Last Updated: 19th November, 2025AI Solutions for an Intelligent Planet.The need for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions is critical. KFUPM, in partnership with Google, invites the next generation of global leaders to tackle humanity's most pressing challenges.This is a focused, high-impact Hackathon where outstanding students from the world's leading universities are challenged to leverage advanced Google technologies—including Gemini, Vertex AI, and Google Cloud—to develop innovative digital solutions addressing global challenges.Inspired by KFUPM's research strategy and Saudi Vision 2030, this initiative aims to position participants as key drivers of the future economy, fostering entrepreneurship and global collaboration.The core hackathon theme is Intelligent Planet. Participants are given the freedom to choose their project's specific challenge within this domain, which includes crucial issues.An opportunity to lead, learn, and leave your mark on the clean energy transition.1. Work with Cutting-Edge Google Technology: Gain hands-on exposure to advanced tools like Vertex AI, Gemini, Google Cloud, and Maps API.2. Earn a Fully Sponsored Global Trip: The finalist teams will receive fully sponsored travel and accommodation to attend the multi-day finale at the KFUPM campus in Saudi Arabia.3. Compete for Major Prizes: Win a share of the cash prizes: $7,000 (1st), $5,000 (2nd), and $3,000 (3rd), along with Google Upskilling Programs and media exposure.4. Develop Real-World Solutions: Focus on solutions with tangible impact.Eligibility: Open to all graduate or undergraduate students currently enrolled.Teams must consist of 3–5 students.Composition: Multidisciplinary teams are highly encouraged (e.g., engineering, computer science, business, design).Judges academia and industry will evaluate submissions based on the following weighted criteria:⁍ Problem & Impact (40%): Relevance to the theme, Vision 2030, scalability, and potential benefit to the community or industry.⁍ Technical Feasibility (35%): Realism, complexity, and mandatory utilization of a relevant Google technology (e.g., Firebase, Google Maps Platform, Vertex AI).⁍ Innovation & Creativity (25%): Novelty of the approach, originality, and depth of the idea.⁍ Registration Opened — October 8th, 2025 Starting receiving submissions through the form.⁍ Registration Closed — November 8th, 2025 All submissions have been received through the global call.⁍ Shortlisting Completed — November 17th, 2025 Shortlisted teams have been contacted directly.⁍ Mentoring Phase — Late November to December, 2025 Shortlisted teams are currently receiving mentoring and refining their ideas with support from Google Cloud mentors for one month.⁍ Hackathon Finale — February 2nd, 2026 (On-Campus at KFUPM) 3-Day hackathon, workshops, keynotes, judging, and awards ceremony. Fully sponsored travel for finalists.Registration is now closed. Shortlisted teams have been contacted. The competition is currently in the mentoring phase.Explore our other global opportunities. And stay tuned upcoming events and competitions through KFUPM Global Engagement.For any questions or partnership opportunities regarding the Intelligent Planet Hackathon, please contact:Intelligent Planet Hackathon📧 intel-planet@kfupm.edu.saOrAdam AbusaabOrganizer – Intelligent Planet HackathonKFUPM, Global Engagement Department📧 adam.abusaab@kfupm.edu.sa¤ All team members have to be currently enrolled students (undergraduate or graduate).¤ All coding and substantial development to be completed during the hackathon period and that all pre-existing components have to be declared.¤ Teams may use pre-existing ideas, open-source libraries, and frameworks, but judges will only evaluate new features and functionality built during the event.¤ All submission details may be shared with judges, mentors, and organizers for evaluation purposes.¤ All participants must utilize a relevant Google technology (e.g., Gemini, Vertex AI, Google Cloud), which is mandatory for the solution.¤ All participants must adhere to the event's Code of Conduct. Any instance of plagiarism, harassment, or unsporting behavior will result in immediate disqualification.

02 Feb

Intelligent Planet Hackathon

Highlights

19 November, 2025

In-Person Event Competition

The New White Gold Rush

Natural Hydrogen Competition “The New White Gold”Fall 2025Competition OverviewAre you ready to tackle one of the world’s biggest energy challenges?The discovery and utilization of oil, often referred to as "black gold," has been a cornerstone of the energy industry for the past century. Over the years, a comprehensive understanding of the petroleum system has been developed, enabling the efficient exploration and production of this valuable resource. However, with the growing global demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources, a new era of energy production is emerging, with hydrogen being touted as the "new white gold."Natural hydrogen, in particular, has the potential to be a viable source of future energy, driven by increasing interest in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. To fully realize the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source, it is essential to understand the underlying hydrogen systems, including the production, migration, and accumulation of hydrogen in various rock types and geological conditions. Developing a deeper understanding of these complex systems is crucial for the identification and exploitation of natural hydrogen resources.Therefore, the challenge is to develop a method to identify the hydrogen system, similar to the way we develop a petroleum system.Why Join?An opportunity to lead, learn, and leave a mark1- Be part of the global clean energy transition2- Work with peers from two world-class universities (KFUPM & University of Waterloo)3- Gain exposure to international judges, mentors, and industry leadersGuiding Questions for the CompetitionTo shape your research and presentations, consider the following six themes:Source & Origin – What are the geological sources of natural hydrogen, and how is it generated (e.g., water–rock interaction, serpentinization, radiolysis)?Migration & Accumulation – Through what processes and pathways does hydrogen migrate, and how might it accumulate in underground reservoirs similar to petroleum traps?Exploration & Drilling – Which tools, techniques, or adaptations from the petroleum industry could be applied to safely and effectively explore and drill for natural hydrogen?Extraction & Transportation – What are the main technological, environmental, and safety challenges in extracting, storing, and transporting natural hydrogen?Sustainability & Impact – How can natural hydrogen contribute to reducing carbon emissions and advancing long-term energy security while minimizing impacts on ecosystems and groundwater?Economics – How can we evaluate economic feasibility, and what screening indicators should be considered?Students are expected to address each of these criteria in their final presentation, but may emphasize those most relevant to their group’s expertise.Who Can Participate?Open to all undergraduate students (sophomore and above) at KFUPM and the University of WaterlooStudents must compete as a team of 3–4 membersTimelineIdea Submission Deadline: 14 October 2025Preliminary Rounds- held Separately at each campus: 22 October 2025Final Round- in person at KFUPM): 19 November 2025RegistrationRegister now!The Natural Hydrogen Competition is more than a contest — it’s your chance to be part of the clean energy revolution, represent your university, and gain international exposure. Whether you win or not, you’ll walk away with new skills, new connections, and a global perspective.Don’t miss this opportunity — form your team, register today, and submit your proposal before 11October 2025!

17 February, 2025

In-Person Event Competition

Solution Hackathon

The Solution Hackathon was a groundbreaking 3-day event hosted by KFUPM in collaboration with University College London (UCL). This event brought together innovative minds to tackle critical global challenges through creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.Participants engaged in interactive workshops, panel discussions, and hands-on coding sprints to develop solutions in the following tracks:Digital Healthcare Solutions – Leveraging technology to improve healthcare access and delivery.STEM Education Enhancements – Creating innovative tools to improve STEM learning.Campus Life Innovations – Developing solutions to enhance the student experience.The event culminated in a live-streamed presentation round, where teams pitched their innovative solutions. The top teams were recognized for their creativity, feasibility, and real-world impact. Stay tuned for the final day of the competition, where winning teams will be announced!

04 February, 2025

Conference In-Person

Global Students Research (GSR) Conference

The Global Students Research (GSR) Conference, initiated by KFUPM leaders and students, advances scientific research and its impact on various aspects of life. GSR offers a dynamic platform for diverse disciplines to collaborate, share innovative ideas, and showcase groundbreaking research. By bridging gaps between academia, industry, and scientific fields, GSR fosters intellectual curiosity and professional growth. It provides a unique opportunity for researchers and students to engage with cutting-edge developments and gain insights from peers and experts.

26 January, 2025

In-Person Event

(Plan for Summer) خطط للصيف

The “خطط للصيف” event, organized by KFUPM’s Global Engagement, was designed to introduce students to various international summer opportunities, including research programs, internships, competitions, and global conferences. The event aimed to inspire students to take advantage of the summer period to enhance their skills, gain international exposure, and explore career-building experiences.

06 October, 2024

In-Person Event

(Around the World) لف العالم

The “Around the World” event, organized by KFUPM’s Global Engagement, provided students with an exciting opportunity to explore international experiences, discover new cultures, and learn about global opportunities available to them. The event aimed to inspire students to step outside their comfort zones, engage with diverse communities, and gain valuable international exposure.Through interactive sessions, engaging discussions, and networking opportunities, participants learned about study abroad programs, internships, and international competitions. The event also included fun activities such as Kahoot quizzes and prize draws to keep the audience engaged.