Last week, I received a personal invitation from Dr. Mohammed Al-Saggaf, President of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), to attend an academic seminar on January 30, 2025, at The Westin Times Square. The "The KFUPM Town Hall" seminar hosted over 50 professors from top universities in the New York metropolitan area, including Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, and Touro.
A Mysterious Beginning
The event started with a surprise. The host said, "All of you are here without knowing the real reason for your invitation." For a moment, we felt like we were kidnapped! But as soon as Dr. Mohammed spoke, the mystery disappeared.
He spoke fluent English with confidence and an American accent but with an apparent Arabic pronunciation, showing a remarkable academic transformation in his university.
A Saudi University Competing with the Best!
Today, King Fahd University ranks #2 globally for petroleum and mining studies, according to the QS World University Rankings—the most trusted ranking globally. It has surpassed top universities like Stanford and Tokyo, with only the University of Texas ahead.
This is incredible, considering that KFUPM is only 61 years old, while the University of Texas is 141 years old!
A New Academic Vision
For two hours, Dr. Mohammed presented a new vision for preparing future generations with a mindset free from financial limitations. The goal is not just to produce graduates seeking jobs but to create leaders and entrepreneurs.
This mirrors what Harvard has been doing for decades—focusing on impact rather than just education.
Facing Bias with Facts
Some professors had explicit biases as if they were asking: "Why are you in New York telling us about a Saudi university?" (Like selling water to a well!)
But one word silenced everyone—a word Dr. Mohammed repeated many times: "Impact."
Impact vs. Quantity
Many people have excellent qualifications and skills, but their ability to create impact is zero.
Impact means leaving a mark that cannot be erased—making it impossible for others to ignore your work or ideas.
And in a world filled with talent and information, impact is more complex than ever.
Saudi Arabia’s “Absolute Impact” Strategy
This may not please everyone, but the truth must be said:
Saudi Arabia is following a strategy of “absolute impact.”
It aims to become a global academic force, just as it is doing in sports and entertainment (though I personally have reservations about some aspects of that).
This mirrors the American model from the last century, where the U.S. became dominant—even if it started by spending generously.
"How Can I Make a Difference?" Instead of "How Will I Survive?"
In America, you will never see Saudis working low-wage street jobs like many other Arabs, even though many of them have money, degrees, and high-level skills.
Why? Because they fear the future—they don’t want to end up like others from their home countries.
On the other hand, Saudis and Gulf Arabs were raised with a "wealthy influencer" mindset.
They understand the formula of "impact vs. quantity"—they don’t want to be just a number but a key player in the system.
The Conclusion: Saudi Arabia Is Rising in Academia
At the end of the event, we received booklets and collaboration cards, and most professors left convinced of one thing:
Saudi Arabia is advancing academically, just as it is in sports and entertainment (despite my reservations about the latter).
And What About Other Arab Countries?
Sadly, many Arab countries have fallen behind. Their policies have pushed their top talents—doctors, engineers, and experts—to migrate abroad.
For those who still look down on Saudi progress, remember:
"If you stand still, the world will pass you by."
So, pray for your country’s success instead of living in denial—like post-revolution elites who were eventually overtaken by the hardworking lower class.