A dedication ceremony attended by University leadership, faculty and invited guests included Aramco Americas Human Resources Director Raed AlThubaiti, who spoke about Aramco’s partnership and its commitment to academic excellence. From left to right: Waleed AlRebdi, manager, Academic & Technical Programs, Aramco Americas; Raed AlThubaiti, director, human resources, Aramco Americas; Tracy Langkilde, interim executive vice president and provost and the Verne M. Willaman Dean of the Eberly College of Science, Penn State; and Tonya L. Peeples, the Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineering, Penn State. Credit: Penn State
Aramco furthers engineering innovation at Penn State
Feb 27, 2025
Editor's note: This article originally appeared on Penn State News.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Since the late 1980s, Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, has partnered with Penn State by sponsoring the studies of Saudi Arabian students. Over the decades, more than 400 of those sponsored students have graduated from the University in science, engineering and related fields.
Support from Aramco has funded spaces for pioneering research and community-building among engineering students and faculty. Penn State has recognized Aramco’s continued support with the naming of the Aramco High Bay and Aramco Lobby area in the Engineering Design and Innovation Building at University Park. Located on the West Campus quad, the building is a hub for the College of Engineering’s internationally ranked programs.
“Corporate partners like Aramco are vital to fulfilling Penn State’s mission to innovate and lead across many disciplines,” said Tracy Langkilde, Penn State interim executive vice president and provost and the Verne M. Willaman Dean of the Eberly College of Science. “Naming a unique research facility and a prominent community space in the Engineering Design and Innovation Building reflects a commitment to both groundbreaking discovery and vibrant collaboration. It is a powerful example of the interconnections between industry and higher education and how our joint investments will prepare new generations for leadership and impact at the global level.”
“Our commitment to supporting communities around the globe is well rooted in our company’s DNA,” said Faisal A. Al Hajji, Aramco senior vice president of human resources. “This gift embodies our dedication to advancing academic excellence, developing talent, and supporting groundbreaking research and technology at Penn State. It builds on a longstanding partnership between the University and Aramco.”
The Aramco Lobby welcomes thousands of students, faculty and visitors each year to the Engineering Design and Innovation Building. Credit: Penn State
The Aramco High Bay is one of only five facilities of its kind at universities nationwide. The laboratory’s design includes a “strong wall” and “strong floor” that enable the testing of structural materials, specimen components and framing designs to fatigue and failure, helping engineering research teams to develop safer and more resilient structures for the future. Students play an important role on these teams and learn about innovation through hands-on discovery.
The Aramco Lobby welcomes thousands of students, faculty and visitors each year to the Engineering Design and Innovation Building, which houses cornerstone-to-capstone makerspaces, such as the newly expanded Learning Factory, among other facilities for education and research.
“The dual nature of this gift underscores Aramco’s understanding that true innovation requires both cutting-edge infrastructure and a vibrant community of creative minds focused on transformative change for our shared future," said Tonya L. Peeples, the Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of the College of Engineering, emphasizing the importance and interconnections of the two spaces. "I am deeply grateful to the leadership of Aramco for their embrace of our college’s and our institution’s mission to lead the way in research and education.”
Donors like Aramco advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.
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