The evening began with a warm welcome from Salma Alsinan, a PhD candidate in the Earth Science and Engineering Program, who served as Master of Ceremony. With poise and presence, she guided the flow of the program and kept the audience engaged throughout the event. Her moderation set the tone for a deeply human and heartfelt gathering.

President Sir Edward Byrne AC opened the session with remarks that reaffirmed KAUST’s vision for innovation and global leadership in science and technology. His Royal Highness followed with a reflective speech that emphasized humility, openness to improvement, and the importance of embracing change. He expressed his enthusiasm for getting deeply involved with the KAUST community and his commitment to supporting the university in its next chapter of growth and impact.

A central highlight of the evening was the panel of student speakers, each at a different stage of their KAUST journey. Elizaveta Parshina, a Master's student in Chemistry working in the SHMs Laboratory, shared her enthusiasm for KAUST’s state-of-the-art research infrastructure and spoke about her focus on sustainable hydrocarbon separation. She expressed sincere appreciation for the mentorship and the supportive environment at KAUST, which empowers international students to thrive both academically and personally. Elizaveta also conveyed her excitement about being part of a laboratory that contributes significantly to the global scientific community through high-impact research. She highlighted a recent publication by members of the SHMs Laboratory in Nature Sustainability, which addressed the selective and sustainable separation of hydrocarbons from crude oil, underscoring the lab’s role in advancing solutions to critical industrial challenges.

Firas Fatani, midway through his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, spoke about how KAUST has deepened his appreciation for scientific exploration and contributed to his personal evolution. He shared what inspired him to pursue this path, his passion for contributing to smart health technologies, and how his own health journey at KAUST became a defining experience. The unwavering support he received from his principal investigator during that time affirmed for him that KAUST is more than just an academic institution; it is a community that genuinely cares for and supports one another.

Fatema Alquraish, who recently earned her PhD in Biosciences, offered a heartfelt testimony on how KAUST shaped her both as a scholar and as a person, leaving a lasting impact on her future direction. She shared how KAUST opened doors beyond academics, leading her to become the first Saudi woman to serve as an emergency volunteer in the KAUST Fire Department, where she has been actively involved for the past five years and now holds a team leader position.

The final student speaker, Yasser Althuwaini, President of the KAUST Student Council and a master’s student in Mechanical Engineering, spoke about the power of student-led initiatives and the importance of building a strong, inclusive community. He shared how KAUST has cultivated his passion for robotics and how he is excited to continue exploring this field while contributing to the broader mission of innovation and collaboration on campus. His remarks captured the spirit of service, leadership, and teamwork that defines KAUST’s student body. As part of the evening, Yasser also passed the torch to the incoming Student Council President, Manal Alshamrani, who shared her thoughts on the future of student-led activities and her commitment to supporting and uplifting the KAUST student community in the years ahead.

The open-floor Town Hall discussion that followed saw a surge of thoughtful and engaging questions from students and postdocs. The excitement in the room was palpable, and the questions showed no signs of slowing, ranging from career pathways and entrepreneurship to how KAUST can play a pivotal role in achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The energy and curiosity of the audience reflected a clear eagerness to contribute meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s future. HRH Prince Abdulaziz welcomed every question with candor and insight, creating a warm and open space for dialogue. He emphasized that student voices must continue to shape the University’s progress and encouraged the KAUST community to remain humble, receptive to feedback, and committed to continuous growth.

The evening closed with a group photo and a sense of renewed purpose. Students left feeling inspired by the sincere exchange and reassured by the leadership’s commitment to their development.

This Town Hall marked more than just a formal welcome, it was a powerful testament to KAUST’s mission to nurture the next generation of changemakers through dialogue, diversity, and discovery.