Shih led KAUST in its formative years .
Shih promoted the university as a destination of choice for graduate education and cutting - edge research , where the synergy between education and research catalyzes ideas and innovations to address global challenges and improve lives .
Leading KAUST in its formative years , Shih promoted the university as a destination of choice for graduate education and cutting - edge research , where the synergy between education and research catalyzes ideas and innovations to address global challenges and improve lives .