عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Varieties

Professor Sir Edward Byrne to Lead KAUST as President

Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC. SPA
Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC. SPA
TT
TT

Professor Sir Edward Byrne to Lead KAUST as President

Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC. SPA
Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC. SPA

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) announced on Wednesday the appointment of Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC as its new president, effective September 1.

Byrne's appointment marks a significant milestone for KAUST as the university continues its transformative journey through the implementation of its Accelerating Impact Strategy. His extensive background in academia and industry uniquely positions him to propel KAUST in supporting the goals of Vision 2030 and solidifying its standing as a leading research technology university.

A statement said that by translating research advancements into practical innovations, fostering robust collaborations with public and private sectors, and enhancing KAUST's role in economic development, Byrne will guide the institution into a new era of growth and impact.

His previous roles include President and Principal of King’s College London and President of Monash University, where he led significant expansions and research initiatives. Byrne brings a wealth of experience, expertise and academic excellence across various sectors, said the statement.

“As the University embarks on a new era delivering its Accelerating Impact Strategy, it is an honor to join an academic community at the forefront of translating research into economically productive innovations for the benefit of society across the Kingdom and the world,” the statement quoted Byrne as saying.

"Drawing on my extensive career leading top-ranked global universities and visionary approaches to scientific discovery, I welcome the opportunity to lead an Institution that is paving the way for future progress and is committed to making the discoveries that will power tomorrow.”

Aligned with Vision 2030, KAUST’s focus on research, development and innovation is central to driving economic diversification and technological advancement in the Kingdom. The University's efforts in these areas support the Kingdom's ambitions.

Byrne succeeds Professor Tony Chan, who significantly enhanced KAUST's alignment with Vision 2030, expanding its global research and academic influence.

Most Viewed

 
 
Varieties

Teen Vies for Record Solo Flight to 7 Continents to Raise Money for Childhood Cancer Research

American pilot Ethan Guo poses for the photographer in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, before his take off from Geneva Airport for attempting world record solo flight to all seven continents. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
American pilot Ethan Guo poses for the photographer in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, before his take off from Geneva Airport for attempting world record solo flight to all seven continents. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
TT
TT

Teen Vies for Record Solo Flight to 7 Continents to Raise Money for Childhood Cancer Research

American pilot Ethan Guo poses for the photographer in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, before his take off from Geneva Airport for attempting world record solo flight to all seven continents. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
American pilot Ethan Guo poses for the photographer in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, before his take off from Geneva Airport for attempting world record solo flight to all seven continents. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

A Chinese American teen is vying to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents in a quest that also aims to drum up donations for research into childhood cancer.

Ethan Guo, who turned 19 last month, began his quest in May in Memphis, Tennessee. He made multiple overnight stops and visited seven countries to get to the Swiss city of Geneva on Tuesday, before jetting off toward Heraklion in Greece, The Associated Press reported.

The plan is to cover 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers) over 100 days with stops in 60 countries. He hopes attention to the journey will drum up donations and raise up to $1 million for cancer research, an ambition born of the Stage-4 blood cancer diagnosis for a cousin of his.

That prompted the tousled-haired teen to reach out to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital based in Memphis.

“We came up with the idea of ... how we can work on this together,” Guo said, "how we can make this world a better place.”

So far, he has raised about $20,000, but he's convinced he will draw more donations.

A press handler for Guo showed The Associated Press an email exchange with an official at Guinness World Records Ltd. about the teen's hope to become the youngest person to fly solo to seven continents. The London-based company did not immediately respond to an email from the AP seeking comment.

Guo started learning to fly at age 13, and four years later had his pilot's license, but insurance companies balked at covering a minor for his adventure, so he had to wait. He has clocked 700 flight hours and flown to all of the 48 contiguous states in the US.

On the tarmac near Geneva airport, Guo said only about one in 10 of the companies he pitched to become sponsors actually came through.

Logos of companies large and small adorn Guo's modified four-seater Cessna 182. Visitors can track his progress on the website flightagainstcancer.com.

Born in Tianjin, China, and currently living in West Palm Beach, Florida, Guo said he wanted to become a pilot to challenge himself. He foresees a career in business and tech, not aviation.
Guo's parents were worried about his project and actively tried to stop him, forcing him to do it on his own with help from volunteers, sponsors and other supporters, he said.
He understands the risks.
“Through my experiences — like an engine failure on the very beginning of the trip ... I was forced to face the fact that I could die at any point of the trip,” he said.
He’s made preparations like stocking the plane with cold-weather gear for Antarctica, a survival kit if he gets stranded in the desert, and an inflatable raft if he lands in an ocean.
“I’ll be lying to tell you if I wasn’t scared,” Guo said. “But every day I reaffirm myself. I say ‘This is what I believe in.' (...) So I’m going to fight on until the very end.”