The Qimam Fellowship program, supported by a coalition of leading national and international companies, aims to identify, develop, and empower the promising and distinguished university students in and from Saudi Arabia to achieve their full potential. It features one-on-one mentorship from senior public and private sector leaders and leadership training by professionals from renowned companies tasked with actualizing the talent of some of the most high-potential young Saudi nationals. Since McKinsey & Co. founded the Qimam Fellowship in 2018, nine students affiliated with Alfaisal University have been chosen as fellows, standing out from an applicant pool averaging over 19,000 candidates annually. These alumni are Sumeau K. Alkhudair (2018), Habib M. Farooq (2018), Soundouss A. Aboussekhra (2018), Anas M. Alfadda (2019), Ruba M. S. Bazerbachi (2019), Nora S. Aldohan (2020), Lama K. Alothman (2021), Maha Alabduljabbar (2022), and Siwar Raslan (2024). Chosen through a rigorous selection process, these fellows underwent interviews with senior partners and were assessed on their academic excellence, leadership potential, and dedication to social responsibility.
During the program, the fellows received one-on-one mentoring from senior leaders in the public and private sectors, leadership training, career guidance, and site visits to leading companies, including Cisco, the Saudi National Bank, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, and Seera Group Holding. Students selected as fellows also have the unique chance to network with influential business figures and benefit from extensive networking opportunities. In addition, they join a network of over 350 former fellows who have stayed connected via the fellowship’s alumni program.
Siwar Raslan, a senior Software Engineering student in the College of Engineering at Alfaisal University, pursuing a dual track in AI & Big Data and Game Development & Digital Media, was accepted into the Qimam Fellowship for High-Potential Leaders in 2024. She learned about the Qimam Fellowship through the AI Academy in Alfaisal’s summer enrichment program (AUEP) during her role as a Co-Director of the AI Academy’s program in 2023. She highlighted one of the most rewarding aspects of the program, saying: “What I truly loved about Qimam was connecting with 49 other fellows who were just as passionate and driven. The program was filled with so much energy and ambition that it inspired me to grow both personally and professionally. Being surrounded by individuals with such big dreams and shared purpose motivated me to challenge myself and aim higher.” Beyond the connections she made, Siwar valued the opportunity to network with industry professionals, attend site visits to leading companies, and gain insights into leadership practices shaping the future of industries. She described the experience as not only transformative but also one that fueled her drive to achieve her long-term goals.
Maha AlAbduljabbar, an alumna of Alfaisal University, currently a Consultant at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Curator of the Riyadh Global Shapers Hub under the World Economic Forum (WEF), was selected for the Qimam Fellowship for High-Potential Leaders in 2022. She discovered the fellowship through her role as Vice President of the Volunteers Club (VC) at Alfaisal University in 2020 and was inspired by its mission to mentor and develop Saudi Arabia’s next generation of leaders.
Reflecting on her experience, Maha shared, “The Qimam Fellowship provided me with unparalleled access to senior leaders and invaluable mentorship. This experience has truly shaped my perspective as a young leader passionate about pushing boundaries and striving for excellence; it has undoubtedly paved the path for where I am today.” She also highlighted the program’s transformative impact on her personal growth, particularly through its vibrant network. “The highlight of my experience was connecting with remarkable peers in my cohort and beyond, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences to the table. The connections I have built through the fellowship continue to inspire and guide me every day,” she said. Maha further added, “The Qimam community is truly one-of-a-kind—a place where everyone shares the same passion for making a difference and is highly motivated to ignite change.”
Since 2018, more than 600 senior leaders from the public and private sectors have generously volunteered their time to provide one-on-one mentorship and career guidance to the fellows or conduct in-person interviews with shortlisted applicants. Some of those executives include Dr. Areej Al-Wabil, Director of Alfaisal’s AI Research Center; HE Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology; and HE Mohammed ElKuwaiz, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority. The Qimam Fellowship continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of leaders in Saudi Arabia by providing exceptional opportunities for personal and professional growth. The students’ experiences exemplify the program’s impact on empowering ambitious individuals to achieve their full potential and contribute to meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Applications for the 2025 Qimam Fellowship are now open. To learn more and apply, visit https://www.qimam.com and on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/qimamfellowship.
