KAUST, CIQ complete joint AI and HPC training for Saudi engineers

Saudi Arabia, June 4, 2026 — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and CIQ have successfully completed a four-day advanced AI and high-performance computing training programme for 30 Saudi-based engineers and technology leaders from some of the Kingdom's leading organisations.

Participants received joint certification from KAUST and CIQ following intensive hands-on training focused on the software infrastructure, orchestration and operational capabilities required to build and run sovereign AI systems at scale.

Hosted at KAUST between 31 May and 3 June, the programme forms part of wider efforts to support Saudi Vision 2030 by developing the human capital and technical expertise needed to underpin the Kingdom's AI ambitions.

The training covered enterprise Linux systems, AI and HPC cluster management, container technologies, workflow orchestration, security hardening and performance optimisation.

Adam Jackson, Chief Regional Officer, Middle East at CIQ, said: "Saudi Arabia is making major investments in AI infrastructure and sovereign technology capability, but long-term leadership in AI depends equally on skills, operational expertise and human capital. It was a privilege to work alongside KAUST and its Core Labs team, led by Dr Saber Feki, to support training and certify a group of highly talented Saudi engineers and technology leaders who will play an important role in supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 ambitions and the next phase of its AI journey."

About Dr. Saber Feki

Dr. Saber Feki is a recognised expert in high-performance computing (HPC) who has led major initiatives including the deployment of the Shaheen III Supercomputer and the advancement of HPC and AI capabilities in Saudi Arabia and across the region. He earned his Master's and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Houston in 2008 and 2010, and began his career as an HPC Research Scientist at TotalEnergies, supporting large-scale geoscience applications. He later held several leadership roles at the KAUST Supercomputing Laboratory before being appointed Director of the Research Computing Core Labs at KAUST, where he oversees supercomputing, artificial intelligence, and scientific visualisation services for the campus and the Kingdom. He regularly speaks at, chairs, and serves on committees for scientific computing conferences and workshops nationally and internationally.

About King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

KAUST, Saudi Arabia's leading science and technology research university, unites the best minds in a culture of invention, providing a catalyst for the discoveries, innovations and technologies that will shape tomorrow for the good of KSA and the world. KAUST is on a journey to create a new model of university for the 21st century, based on global partnerships, research, and invention. KAUST attracts and offers unique opportunities to world-leading academic and research talent, truly allowing them to innovate.

KAUST plays an active role in accelerating impact and innovation in the areas of Health and Wellness, Energy and Industrial Leadership, Sustainable Environment and Supply of Essential Needs and Economies of the Future under Vision 2030 and the Research, Development, and Innovation Ecosystem (RDI).

About CIQ

CIQ is building the next-generation secure and performant software infrastructure stack for the AI era. Founded in 2020 by open source pioneer Gregory Kurtzer, CIQ helps organizations simplify, unify and democratize high-performance computing and enterprise IT. CIQ is the founding support and services partner of Rocky Linux and the creator of products like Fuzzball, Warewulf, Ascender and Rocky Linux from CIQ. The company provides scalable, open infrastructure solutions that empower innovation – from the operating system up. Rooted in a community-first philosophy, CIQ is trusted by organizations modernizing for a future defined by data and AI inferencing. Learn more at https://ciq.com.