DHAHRAN: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals opened its campus this week to one of its largest student-led cultural festivals, KFUPM WORLD.
The four-day event, which began on Wednesday and runs until Saturday, is designed to bring together students from more than 30 nationalities and aims to strengthen cross-cultural understanding, enabling international and Saudi students to better connect outside the classroom.
Organized entirely by students, KFUPM WORLD includes cultural booths, traditional clothing displays, live performances, virtual reality experiences and an art exhibition. It has four themes — culture, tourism, entertainment and arts — with each highlighting a different aspect of global identity and student expression.
Building 57’s outdoor space at the university has been transformed into a walkway lined with flags from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Visitors move between booths and performances while student volunteers guide guests through the experience.
Ziyad Al-Harbi, a mechanical engineering student and the founder and president of KFUPM WORLD, said the initiative began as a personal goal.
“The real driving force behind launching KFUPM WORLD is a personal desire to leave a mark in the university before graduating,” he said.
“Another reason is that major programs like student exchange and others have not been fully activated. Many of the students who come to the university from different countries remain closed within their own communities and socialize mainly with people of the same nationality.”
His comment reflects a challenge often faced by universities trying to help international students integrate. KFUPM WORLD was designed to address this by giving students a direct, welcoming platform to present their cultures and engage with others.
Visitors so far have said it offers an accessible look into the university’s diverse community.
Ghala Hazza, a high school senior, said she found the atmosphere warm and welcoming: “Honestly, I enjoyed it a lot, and everyone organizing the event was extremely kind. Thank you so much for all the effort.”
Inside the cultural booths, traditional clothing, crafts and foods are all highlighted. Some visitors posed for photos in front of large cultural backdrops, while others learned about the different customs, languages and history.
The Chinese booth, decked out in bright red and featuring traditional attire, drew particular attention, while those representing Indonesia, Pakistan, Sudan and other countries also reflected their regions.
Meanwhile, the main stage near Building 70 drew large crowds to watch traditional Saudi performances. Drummers led segments of local folk arts as students gathered around to enjoy, take photographs and join in.
For the university, KFUPM WORLD aligns with broader efforts to enhance student life and support national goals linked to Vision 2030, particularly in the areas of culture, tourism and community engagement.
The event also highlights a shift toward student-led initiatives, following the trend of large-scale activities such as TEDxKFUPM and major student conferences.
Crowds remained heavy throughout opening night as families, students and school visitors explored the festival. For many international students, it was a chance to share their identity while for younger visitors it offered a first look at KFUPM’s campus and community.
Organizers said the goal was for KFUPM WORLD to become an annual event, expanding to include more countries and experiences.
