Carnegie Mellon University’s global spirit was on full display during the 2025 annual alumni gathering in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — an event that brought together more than 50 alumni representing various colleges and disciplines across CMU. Among the event’s guests was Keith Webster, Helen and Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries and Director of Emerging and Integrative Media Initiatives, who offered remarks underscoring the university’s and the Libraries’ enduring global impact.
Hosted at the headquarters of Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC), the gathering featured a keynote from H.E. Dr. Nabeel Abdulqader Koshak, SVC CEO and a CMU doctoral alumnus, who reflected on his journey from academia to entrepreneurship and investment. The event also included a historical overview of Saudi alumni presence at CMU dating back to 1970 and a celebration of the growing contributions of Saudi graduates in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and engineering.
Dean Webster’s remarks connected CMU’s 125-year history of innovation to the Libraries’ evolving role in today’s AI-driven research landscape. He highlighted how Carnegie Mellon University Libraries supports interdisciplinary research, data-driven discovery, and open scholarship, helping scholars and students around the world move faster on the path to their goals. Webster’s participation in the Riyadh event reflects the Libraries’ broader mission to foster collaboration beyond geographic boundaries. Through strategic engagement with global alumni and international academic communities, the Libraries continue to amplify CMU’s research impact and support a worldwide network of thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators.
The evening concluded with a group photo and dinner, capping off a meaningful exchange that showcased the strength of CMU’s global alumni network and the shared commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.