Rayan Alghanim, a junior in petroleum engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, has been selected to receive a full scholarship to attend graduate school at a new university in Saudi Arabia.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is an international university that is currently under construction in the Red Sea town of Thuwal. Alghanim and all of the students selected to attend KAUST will receive Discovery Scholarships that include full tuition and a monthly stipend, as well as allowances for books and a computer. Housing is provided for free when the students enroll in graduate school at KAUST.

Alghanim says 66 men and women from North American universities applied for the scholarship and were accepted this year. The acceptance rate was approximately 10 percent. KAUST will open in September of 2009, but Alghanim doesn’t plan to enroll until 2010.

Discovery Scholarship recipients are chosen for academic excellence and a demonstrated interest in pursuing advanced degrees in mathematics, sciences, engineering and computers. KAUST will offer degrees in 11 fields of study. All of the classes will be taught in English.

Alghanim says he plans to pursue a master’s degree and possibly a Ph.D. in environmental engineering. The Discovery Scholarship will continue to support his studies for as long as he maintains an acceptable level of achievement.
Alghanim grew up in Saudi Arabia. He has also lived in Germany and Canada.

At Missouri S&T, Alghanim is treasurer of the Saudi Student Association, a campus organization of approximately 65 students.