Introduction to the Ibn Battuta Global Scholarship

The Ibn Battuta Global Scholarship is a program designed to support the international academic and research collaboration of faculty members and researchers at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM). This program aims to encourage the development of applied research-oriented expertise, explore new ideas, and examine opportunities for international collaboration.

Purpose

The purpose of the Ibn Battuta Global Scholarship guidelines is to support the administration of the International Summer Visiting Program (outbound) for KFUPM faculty and researchers. This program provides an opportunity for exposure to new experiences, ideas, and could initiate international academic and/or research collaboration.

Scope

These guidelines apply to the support of the Outbound International Visiting Program, giving opportunities for exposure to new experiences, ideas, and initiating international academic and/or research collaboration. They apply to all KFUPM professorial-ranked faculty and equivalent researchers.

Definitions and Acronyms

• Grant: Internally-funded grant
• Out-bound: An international visit undertaken by a KFUPM faculty member or researcher to a renowned university/institute during summer
• Program: Ibn Battuta Global Scholarship
• Project: A product of an approved research proposal that is scientifically reviewed by a competent body and has an allocated fund administered by the Deanship of Research (DR)
• Proposal: A detailed and structured request for funding prepared in accordance with the sponsor's instructions and requirements
• Research Program Outcomes: Program outcomes are only those which are direct outcomes of the program that reflect clear acknowledgement
• IRC: Interdisciplinary Research Center
• DR: Deanship of Research
• KFUPM: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
• QS: University rankings by QS ranking

Objectives

1. The International Visiting Program supports the interaction of KFUPM's professorial rank (Assistant, Associate, and Full Professors) faculty members and equivalent researchers with scholars and researchers from other reputable academic and research institutes, national labs, or in industry.
2. The program aims to encourage faculty and researchers affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Research Centers (IRCs) at KFUPM to conduct exceptional experiments that cannot be performed at KFUPM, develop applied research-oriented expertise, explore new ideas, and examine opportunities for international academic and/or research collaboration.

Annual Allocation

1. The University will decide on the number of grants (slots) allocated each year for the program.
2. A maximum of three outbound grants will be allocated to applicants not affiliated with IRCs at KFUPM.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant Eligibility

1. All professorial rank faculty members (Assistant, Associate, and Full Professors) and equivalent researchers at KFUPM are eligible to apply for outbound grants.
2. The program is competitive, and individuals will be chosen based on merit.
3. The program will give priority to first-time applicants who have not availed this opportunity in the past.
4. Applicants must have evidence of academic and/or research collaboration with the host institute/Professor.
5. The host faculty/collaborator should be in the rank of Professor/Director or equivalent rank with records of high-impact publications and h-index ≥ 25.
6. The university/institute should be well-known in terms of research and contribution, considering the host institution's/QS university's ranking.
7. The host university/institute should not be the same from where the applicant graduated.

Eligible Visits

1. The outbound proposed visit should be two months during the summer term.
2. The proposed visit should not overlap with reporting or final examination periods, nor with any summer assignments, conference attendance, or ongoing externally funded research work.
3. The summer time and the duration to be one month could be relaxed for eligible researchers, provided there is no conflict with teaching or other commitments at the University.

Grant Benefits

The grant benefits will be detailed as per the program's guidelines, focusing on supporting the international visit and research collaboration.

Application Procedure

1. The Principal Investigator submits the Research Proposal in the format prescribed on the DR website.
2. Research Proposal needs to be submitted online using the provided link.
3. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the proposed host institution is of high repute and is other than the applicant's alma mater.
4. Before submitting a proposal, the applicant should communicate with the proposed host institution/professor and prepare a clear research plan.
5. In the proposal, the applicant should include a justification for the selection of the proposed host institution/professor and attach an official invitation letter from the host institution/professor.
6. If applicable, the applicant should provide a statement from the host institution/professor assuring that facilities required to conduct the proposed research are available and access to them will be provided.

Review and Evaluation

1. The criteria for evaluating proposals include:
   • Clarity and achievability of proposed objectives
   • Methodology
   • Significance of visit's expected outcomes
2. For affiliated faculty to IRC, Center Directors and DR review the proposals to ascertain that the above criteria and guidelines have been taken into consideration, and Center Directors will add their feedback and recommendations to the applications of affiliates with IRCs.
3. For non-affiliates, their research proposal will be reviewed and evaluated by the DR after being evaluated by selected experts in the area of the proposed research.
4. Since the number of grants available under the program is limited, the applications will be ranked and selected on the basis of the highest ranked first.
5. DR shall discuss the proposals received and either recommend for immediate approval or not recommend for approval.

Visit Report

1. The visit should have clear outcomes, such as publications in reputed journals with the host professor, evidence of academic and/or research collaboration with the host institution/professor, or a joint research project with the host professor.
2. Upon completion of the visit, and within a maximum of six months from the start of the academic year, the recipient should submit a visit report, present a public technical seminar on the research conducted, and submit journal/conference paper(s) (ISI/Scopus indexed) or a patent on the same research.
3. Such outcomes should result from this specific visit and should not have been obtained prior to enrolling in the program.

Acknowledgments

1. Proper acknowledgment of KFUPM support in all publications/presentations and other outcomes resulting from the program is mandatory.
2. Publications or other outcomes with no acknowledgment would not be considered as program outcomes.
3. Multiple acknowledgments will be treated as per announced policy.

Implementation, Compliance, and Reporting

1. DR shall implement these guidelines.
2. DR shall monitor the International Visiting Program.
3. Non-compliance with any provision in these guidelines shall be reported to DR.

Compliance and Performance Indicators

In monitoring and reviewing the implementation of these guidelines, the following compliance and performance indicators shall be used:

1. Number of outbound international visits completed each year
2. Submission of visit reports within six months of the start of the academic year
3. Presentation of seminar within six months of the start of the academic year
4. Number of journal articles submitted (ISI/Scopus indexed) by recipients
5. Number of conference papers submitted (ISI/Scopus indexed) by recipients
6. Number of patents submitted by recipients

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King Fahd University For Petroleum And Minerals

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Overview:

King Fahd University For Petroleum And Minerals (KFUPM) is a public research university located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It is renowned for its focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, particularly in petroleum engineering. KFUPM boasts a high global ranking, particularly in petroleum engineering and data science.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

High Global Ranking:

KFUPM holds a strong global ranking, particularly in petroleum engineering and data science.

Focus on STEM:

The university specializes in STEM fields, offering a wide range of programs in these areas.

Research Opportunities:

KFUPM is a research-intensive university with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration.

US Patent Record:

KFUPM ranks highly among universities worldwide in terms of the number of US patents registered.

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Academic Programs:

Undergraduate:

KFUPM offers a variety of undergraduate majors and concentrations across various STEM fields.

Graduate:

The university provides a range of graduate programs, including master's and doctoral degrees.

Colleges and Departments:

KFUPM is organized into several colleges and departments, each specializing in specific areas of study.