Fellowship History

The Ibn Khaldun Fellowship for Saudi Arabian Women (IBK) was established through a collaboration between the King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals & MIT:

The Center for Clean Water & Clean Energy.

Timeline

Group photo from event in 2013

2012 – The first postdoctoral fellow arrived at MIT

2013 – Saudi Aramco expanded the program to five fellows per year

MIT President L. Rafael Reif and KACST President Dr. Prince Turki Bin Saud Bin Mohammed Al-Saud, March 24, 2018

2018 – KACST and MIT signed a 10-year agreement securing a bright future for the fellowship.

Pictured: MIT President Dr. Rafael Reif & KACST President Dr. Prince Turki Al-Saud

2018 – A reunion at MIT featured seminar by Sloan School of Management focused on KSA’s Vision 2030.

Special Guest: Mr. Faisal Al Ibrahim, Vice Minister, Ministry of Economy and Planning

2018 – Twenty-four of the first twenty-six fellows attended the reunion. Read the MIT News story here.

Group photo from the 2022 IBK 10 Year Anniversary event at KACST

2022 - His Excellency Dr. Munir Eldesouki, the President of KACST, announced 2nd Year Fellowships at the 10 Year Anniversary Celebration at KACST.

Extending the fellowship to two years has led to exponential additional outcomes such as startups, international workshops and LEAPS in KSA.