A distinguished group of scientists, doctors, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs have recently been granted Saudi citizenship.
This royal decree aims to honor individuals whose exceptional expertise in fields such as law, medicine, science, culture, sports, and technology contribute significantly to the nation.
Below is a list of these new Saudi citizens, as reported by the financial news portal, Argaam.
Islam Zween, CEO of Argaam
Mohammed Zween is recognized as a trailblazer in the Arab media landscape, promoting qualitative and educational content for profitability. With a Master’s degree from Alexandria University, Egypt, and over 25 years of experience in technology, media, and business management, Zween has spent the past 18 years developing leading digital projects across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, including “Argaam Financial Portal” and Akhbaar 24.com.
Since 2013, Zween has spearheaded a new strategy at Argaam, establishing it as the premier provider of financial media and data journalism in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. His efforts in diversifying revenue streams and achieving profitability have been pivotal. Under his leadership, Argaam launched numerous initiatives and partnerships that enriched financial data and investment awareness, earning the Dubai Media Award for the best economic platform in 2023.
Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
Dr. Mehmood Khan has had a distinguished career, holding several senior corporate roles, including Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of Global Research and Development at PepsiCo, and President of Global R&D at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. An American national, Khan now leads the Hevolution Foundation, a nonprofit organization funding health sciences research. He holds an MD from a prestigious university and has over a decade of practical experience, including managing academic programs at the Mayo Clinic and serving as Chief Scientific Officer at PepsiCo.
Jackie Y. Ying, Chair, Bioengineering & Nanomedicine Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Professor Jackie Y. Ying, an American scientist of Singaporean origin, served as the founding executive director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore (2003-2018). She currently heads the NanoBio Lab and is a senior research fellow at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Elected as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a member of the German National Academy of Sciences, Ying has published extensively on biomedical engineering and nanotechnology. She was also named one of the “100 Engineers of the Modern Era.”
Niveen Khashab, Founding Member of KAUST
Lebanese scientist Niveen Khashab, a founding member of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), has been an associate professor of chemical science and engineering since 2009. With a PhD from the University of Florida, Khashab’s work in bioengineering and nanomaterials has earned her the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award in 2017. She is recognized for her innovative smart hybrid materials for drug delivery and new technology to observe antioxidant activity between cells.
Noreddine Ghaffour, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, KAUST`
French scientist Noreddine Ghaffour holds a PhD in membrane separation techniques from the University of Montpellier (1995) and is a professor of environmental science and engineering at KAUST. Specializing in water desalination, Ghaffour has published extensively on environmental science, renewable energy, and membrane separation.
Faraz Khalid, CEO of Noon
Indian entrepreneur Faraz Khalid, with an MBA from The Wharton School, played a crucial role in the success of Namshi, launched in 2012. As CEO of the e-commerce platform Noon, Khalid has been instrumental in its growth. He co-founded Namshi and served as managing director, overseeing its creation, launch, and expansion.
Dr. Moutassem Azzubi, Chief Pediatric Neurosurgery at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital
Syrian neurosurgeon Dr. Moutassem Azzubi has performed numerous conjoined twin separation surgeries in Saudi Arabia and abroad. He is recognized for his extensive contributions to the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme and the surgical team led by Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah.
Rami Al-Qawasmi, CEO of Mawdoo3.com
Rami Al-Qawasmi, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Sussex University in the UK, is passionate about artificial intelligence and startups. By the age of 30, he had founded over 10 companies. Under his leadership, Mawdoo3.com raised $23.5 million in a funding round.
Ahmed Mirghani, Partner at BIM Ventures
Sudanese entrepreneur Ahmed Mirghani, with an MBA in entrepreneurship from Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, is a co-founder and leading figure at BIM Ventures. He founded the “Angel Investor Mine” network, significantly contributing to integrating traditional investors into the world of venture capital and the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
