KFUPM Relaunches Mining Science & Engineering Program in Strategic Partnership with Ma’aden

Success Partner:

Ma’aden

In a significant step toward supporting Saudi Arabia's growing mineral sector, KFUPM has relaunched its Mining Science and Engineering program. Originally discontinued in 1988 due to low industry demand, the program has been revived as the nation identifies mining as the third pillar of its economy, following Oil & Gas and Petrochemicals.

This ambitious relaunch is made possible through a strategic partnership between KFUPM, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and Ma’aden, the leading mining company in Saudi Arabia. With a substantial financial investment by our partners, the program aims to meet the increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the mining sector. The funds will be allocated toward hiring world-class faculty, building a state-of-the-art facility, and equipping it with advanced labs and modern learning environments.

Ma’aden’s additional financial commitment will provide long-term support for students in the program, sponsoring 30 students annually for the next decade. These students will benefit from generous packages that include a monthly stipend, a laptop allowance, medical insurance, and a financial performance incentive for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. The partnership ensures that students are not only well-prepared for careers in the mining industry, but are also guaranteed employment with Ma’aden upon graduation.

The first cohort of 30 students, including 13 females and 17 males, recently signed their sponsorship contracts with Ma’aden, marking the official start of their journey in this newly revitalized program. This milestone reflects a powerful collaboration between academia, industry, and government, aimed at securing the future of Saudi Arabia’s mining sector and providing young professionals with valuable career opportunities.

As part of the collaboration efforts, a mining industry summer camp was held with 140 male and female students where Ma’aden personnel gave an overview of the business, presenting their operation, showing clearly the company’s commitment to advancing the mining sector alongside the University. Students were exposed to the full range of mining operations: from exploration to the final product, and learned that safety is of utmost importance.
As KFUPM continues to pursue such strategic collaborations, the university remains committed to contributing to the growth of the Saudi economy and creating new opportunities for both students and faculty. The relaunch of the Mining Science and Engineering program demonstrates the University’s role in developing the nation’s human capital to support its national economic vision.