King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) was officially established by Royal Decree on 23 September, 1963. The first students were admitted a year later, on 23 September, 1964, when 67 young men enrolled in what was then named the College of Petroleum and Minerals (CPM). Since that time, the University enrollment has grown to a level that is expected to exceed 10,000 by the 2020 academic year.

Academics and Research
The academic programs are focused on engineering, basic sciences, computer sciences, and business, and are accredited by international bodies such as ABET, AACSB, as well as the national accrediting body NCAAA.

Introduced unique feature in the academic programs through undergraduate concentrations and professional masters that are designed to be of multidisciplinary nature and focus on the digital future and emerging fields. This includes over 35 new programs in artificial intelligence and machine learning; cybersecurity and blockchain; robotics and autonomous systems; big data analytics; business analytics; quantum computing; advanced materials; polymers; renewables; supply chain; etc.

Ranked 3rd worldwide, among universities granted U.S. Patents, with 1500+ patents.

Amongst the top 200 universities worldwide; ranked 160th by the QS Global Universities Ranking.

Industrial and Academic Partnerships
Owns the Dhahran Techno-Valley, which hosts R&D centers for major multinational corporations such as Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Sinopec, Schneider, Yokogawa, Emerson, Honeywell, and Halliburton.

Engaged in many research collaborations with world-renowned universities such as MIT, Georgia Tech, Caltech, and Stanford.

Has successful partnerships with the industry and businesses such as Saudi Aramco, SABIC, electric and telecom companies, local banks, in addition to the government institutions.