Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz yesterday attended the closing ceremony of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Academy Program, which is part of KAUST's training program for Saudi university students (this year graduating the second cohort). This program is recognized as one of the leading, distinguished initiatives in the Kingdom.At the ceremony, Prince Saud was briefed on the details and stages of the training program organized by KAUST in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Authority, NEOM, several private sector entities, and business leaders.The program aims to equip students with advanced skills in important fields, such as AI, bioinformatics, and cybersecurity.Prince Saud then toured an exhibition featuring posters of the talented graduates' projects, 67 on display, checking on their practical achievements in the fields of AI, cybersecurity, and bioinformatics.The KAUST Academy training program was designed for four d istinct stages. The first offered virtual courses to over 7,000 Saudi university students. In the second and third stages, intensive in-person courses were provided to more than 2,800 participants. Finally, 200 outstanding students were selected for domestic and international scholarships, including placements at six world-renowned universities: the University of Glasgow in Scotland, the University of Oxford in England, the University of Toronto in Canada, the Broad Institute in Boston, Duke University in North Carolina, and KAUST.KAUST Academy Director General Dr. Sultan Al-Barakati said that these global partnerships reflect KAUST's ambitious vision to provide comprehensive education based on global standards and advanced technology, contributing to the preparation of a generation capable of facing future challenges with advanced skills and comprehensive knowledge.KAUST Academy was established as a platform for continuous education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aiming to enhance technical skills in the labor market and prepare a skilled Saudi workforce through training programs targeting university students and early career professionals.The academy offers short intensive courses in fields such as AI, machine learning, and data science, along with a range of certification programs, diplomas, and partial master's degree courses. It also seeks to establish partnerships with universities and institutions in the Kingdom, and contribute to developing national talent, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.Source: Saudi Press Agency