Riyadh: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has provided students with a pathway to integrated engineering experiences, beginning with STEM Racing KSA-formerly known as Formula 1 in Schools-all the way to international judging panels in Singapore. The program serves as an applied educational platform combining design, building, and competition.
According to Saudi Press Agency, within this ecosystem, the experience of 19-year-old student Mohammed Al Masbah stands out, following an ascending path toward global engineering and innovation platforms. He joined STEM Racing KSA as a participant seeking to learn and gain practical experience in designing and building miniature engineering cars, which quickly advanced his standing within the ecosystem, while Ithra emerged as an integrated applied platform enabling students to test their skills in a context that mirrors real engineering environments.
Mohammed gained practical experiences that broadened his vision, most notably his work as a researcher in pharmaceutical and nanotechnologies, though his participation in STEM Racing KSA revealed his true passion. Mohammed stated: "My participation in the race was not just an experience; it was the moment that redefined my path and guided me to my true passion for engineering and innovation."
He went on to pursue his academic journey at New York University (NYU), studying electrical and computer engineering, with his STEM Racing KSA experience directly informing his university path. In a natural extension of this journey, he joined the NYU Motorsports-Formula SAE and Baja team.
In 2026, Mohammed participated in the United States as an organizing member of the STEM Racing KSA national competition, reflecting his evolution from competitor to contributor in organizing the experience itself. This path was crowned with an invitation to serve as a judge at the global competition to be held in Singapore, marking his transition to performance evaluation and decision-making within an international ecosystem dedicated to innovators.
