Nesma Pioneering Gift will provide 28 scholarships for Master's and Ph.D. students at King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST). It was announced here Monday. Scholarships at KAUST enable promising graduate students to participate in the institute's mission to advance science and technology, and take on the present challenges in energy, water, food and the environment. Saleh Al-Turki, Chairman of Nesma, has requested that preference for the scholarships be given to Saudi scholars, thus providing greater opportunities and advancement for Saudi nationals. Professor Choon Fong Shih, President of KAUST, said: “We are grateful for the generosity of Nesma and its chairman. Nesma's pioneering gift will expand opportunities for our Saudi scholars to engage in learning and discovery that can contribute significantly to advancing science and technology, thereby bringing benefits to the Kingdom and beyond.” Nesma is the first corporate donor to support the university's drive to create a knowledge-based economy in the Kingdom. “I requested that priority for these scholarships be given to Saudi scholars”, Al-Turki said, “to increase opportunities for them in order to enhance their advancement in the technological and scientific fields”. Nesma Holding Company Ltd., a 100% privately-owned Saudi company, was established in 1979. Its reputation has been built through the creation of partnerships, joint ventures and subsidiary companies across many industries. Nesma's diverse business portfolio ranges from engineering to construction, from fashion to logistics, from hotel management to poultry breeding.
