Maria Niaz says her academic journey at King Saud University has also given her a deeper appreciation of Saudi culture, traditions and hospitality
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani PhD student at King Saud University, Maria Niaz, has highlighted the strong people-to-people bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia while extending warm greetings to the Kingdom on its 96th National Day.
In a video message shared on Thursday by Press Attaché at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan Dr. Saif Nasser Almashali on his social media account X, Maria congratulated the Saudi leadership and people and reflected on her experience as a Pakistani student living and studying in the Kingdom.
Dr. Almashali said Maria’s scholarship had given her not only an opportunity to pursue higher education but also a valuable experience of Saudi culture and hospitality, describing her reflections as memories she would carry back to Pakistan.
Maria, who is pursuing a PhD at the Faculty of Science at King Saud University, said her time in Saudi Arabia had enabled her to learn about the Kingdom’s social and cultural traditions alongside her academic studies.
She said studying with colleagues from different countries and cultural backgrounds had further broadened her understanding of Saudi society, its rich heritage and values.
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be here and to be part of King Saud University,” Maria said, expressing appreciation to the Kingdom and the university for providing her with the opportunity to study and experience Saudi life.
She said after completing her degree and returning to Pakistan, she would share her experiences with people back home, including her academic learning as well as the culture, traditions and hospitality she had encountered in Saudi Arabia.
Maria thanked Saudi Arabia and King Saud University for welcoming her and giving her the opportunity to become part of the university community.
Her message reflected the role of educational and cultural exchanges in strengthening understanding between the peoples of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly among younger generations experiencing each other’s societies first-hand.
