04 October, 2017
Fethi works in the Chemical Kinetics & Laser Sensors Lab (which is affiliated with the Clean Combustion Research Center) under the supervision of professor Aamir Farooq. He studies the science of combustion and investigates how fuels burn
with the ultimate goal of developing high-efficiency and cleaner-burning fuels and engines
Fethi grew up in a small village in southern Tunisia called Oued Esseder. From a very early age, he was fascinated by machines and engines and the science behind them. He attended the Polytechnic School of Tunisia where he obtained his bachelor's
degree in mechanical engineering.
He first heard about KAUST in 2012 when Professor Slim Alouini visited the Polytechnic and gave a presentation of KAUST's ambitious plans to create an environment where excellence in curiosity-driven and goal-oriented research would thrive in a diverse
and international community of faculty, students and staff. Fethi was preparing for his graduation and was so inspired by what he heard that he decided that KAUST was exactly where he needed to be to study fuels and engines. Professor Alouini
referred him to Professor Aamir Farooq who invited him to come to KAUST on a four-month internship. He was so impressed with the facilities and opportunities available that he decided to continue his graduate studies at KAUST.
Initially, he missed his family and friends, but he found KAUST so multinational and welcoming that he quickly settled in and felt very much at home. "KAUST offers all kinds of services such as free transportation, facilitated government affairs,
well- organized public events and many more activities that help so much with facing the challenge of moving abroad for the first time" he said. He is very happy with his decision to come to KAUST. He feels that he has studied with
the best professors and worked in the best labs he could ever have imagined. This has meant that his research and learning process has been amply supported.
One of the most rewarding aspects of his studies has been the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge in so many things. "The environment at KAUST is so active, enthusiastic and fast moving that I have had opportunities to be involved
in many curious and optimistic projects rather than limiting myself to one PhD project 'title'," he said.
He currently has published twenty peer-reviewed papers, several in high-impact scholarly journals and six as first author. At the International Combustion Symposium in 2016, Fethi had three papers accepted (two as first author).
Fethi credits Professor Aamir Farooq as being the perfect mentor on his journey at KAUST, always available to listen to his ideas and give advice. He has found people at KAUST, from fellow students to postdocs and staff, very helpful.
His advice for students who are considering KAUST is not to speculate too much about what it is like: "If you want a place where you can acquire solid knowledge, perform excellent research and work with professors who excel in their fields, while receiving maximum support to achieve your research goals, then KAUST is the right choice for you".
Read this news article in pse.kaust.edu.sa where it was originally published.