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Welcome to the Physical Science and Engineering Division of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
The mission of the Physical Science and Engineering Division is to advance science and technology through education, interdisciplinary research, and innovation. Our goal is to contribute to the preservation of the planet and accelerate the impact on the Saudi economy.
Our educational programs and research initiatives are aligned with Saudi national RDI priorities and Vision 2030. We aim to provide the Kingdom with the next generations of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs capable of understanding and devising innovative solutions to global challenges. These challenges are encapsulated in the four RDI Pillars: Sustainable Environment & Essential Needs, Health and Wellness, Energy and Industrial Leadership, and Economies of the Future.
PSE research areas contributing to the Kingdom RDI Pillars and Vision 2030
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Within this strategic framework, PSE fundamental and applied research addresses environmental protection, climate change, energy, and smart cities. We strive to achieve this by developing green fuels and renewable energies, creating novel materials and health applications, and providing solutions for better utilization and protection of our natural resources.
Chak Chan
Dean, Physical Science and Engineering Division
Past and future drought patterns across the Arabian Peninsula
07 November, 2024
Higher temperatures have increased drought frequency and intensity over the last two decades, but the trend could be reversed in the next 20 years.
A study of 70 years of climate data has examined distinct drought patterns across the Arabian Peninsula — one of the driest regions in the world. Led by KAUST’s Ibrahim Hoteit, the team analysed climate data from 1951 to 2020 to map the long-term variability of droughts and explore the factors driving these changes. “Understanding historic and future drought trends in the Arabian Peninsula is crucial for water resource management in agriculture and urban development,” says Hoteit.
The researchers used the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), which considers both rainfall and temperature data. “Droughts are typically measured using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), but in arid regions like the Arabian Peninsula, relying on rainfall alone is insufficient,” says climate change researcher and study author Md Saquib Saharwardi.
The study outlines four distinct drought regions across the Arabian Peninsula, each exhibiting unique seasonal drought variability. However, the KAUST team found that, overall, droughts have worsened over the past two decades, not because of a decrease in rainfall, but rather due to rising temperatures.
To predict future droughts, Hoteit and colleagues developed a machine learning approach that considers the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), a 70-year cyclical phenomenon of the Atlantic’s sea surface temperature that significantly affects the region’s climate. Interestingly, their model predicts a decrease in drought severity as the AMO shifts from a positive to a negative phase.
“During the positive phase of the AMO, droughts tend to worsen, while the negative phase leads to a reduction in droughts,” Saharwardi explains. “Our machine learning model predicts a substantial decrease in droughts over the next 20 to 30 years, coinciding with the expected negative phase of the AMO.”
Learn more at KAUST Discovery.
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PSE Post-graduate Programs
Welcome to the PSE post-graduate studies area!
At PSE, students embark on a journey of discovery as they pursue careers in science, industry, and academia. Surrounded by cutting-edge facilities and supported by our international team of faculty and staff, KAUST is today's best destination for students to explore the leading edge of science and earn a post-graduate diploma recognized worldwide.
Our division currently offers seven programs at the post-graduate level, including both Master's and Ph.D. options. Under expert advisors' guidance, students can design personalized course paths and research projects tailored to their career goals. Each program combines lectures, seminars, and laboratory classes, empowering students to transform their ideas into research projects independently.
Beyond academic pursuits, PSE students at KAUST enjoy a LEED-certified campus situated on the shores of the Red Sea, enveloped in pristine surroundings. The campus hosts a rich program of scientific and business events organized by KAUST and its top-tier industrial partners like ARAMCO, Sabic, Dow, Boeing, Bruker, Hewlett Packard, and more. This lively atmosphere provides students with ample networking avenues and the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities, while maintaining a well-balanced personal life.
KAUST is an exceptional place to study, work and thrive.
If you aspire to a career in science and technology, our programs provide an excellent starting point. Both Master's and Ph.D. programs are fully funded by the university, covering tuition fees and providing a monthly stipend for the duration of the degree. Please explore the links below to learn more about our programs and begin your journey toward a fulfilling career in your chosen field of expertise.