KAUST concluded the 10th edition of the KAUST Saudi Leadership Institute (KSLI), focusing on 'The Disruption Advantage' for academic executives. The program hosted leaders from Saudi universities and the Ministry of Education, providing seminars, coaching, and networking opportunities. This year's KSLI collaborated with the Thunderbird School of Global Management's Executive Education Team. Why it matters: KSLI strengthens educational leadership in Saudi Arabia, supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals for a knowledge-based economy.
KAUST hosted the Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit 2025, the first time the event has been held in the Middle East, gathering over 800 delegates from 65 nations. The summit's theme was "Universities as Agents of Progress," focusing on the role of universities in solving sustainability and economic diversification challenges. THE's chief global affairs officer, Phil Baty, praised KAUST and the Kingdom's ambitions, emphasizing the importance of universities as drivers of societal change. Why it matters: The summit underscores the growing importance of Saudi Arabia and KAUST as a hub for global academic collaboration and innovation, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals.
KAUST will host the Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit from October 7-9, 2025, the first time the event will be held in the Middle East. The summit's theme is "Universities as agents of progress," focusing on how universities drive innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration. Speakers include KAUST faculty such as Sami Al Ghamdi, Dana Al-Sulaiman, Carlos Duarte, and Juergen Schmidhuber. Why it matters: This event highlights KAUST's and Saudi Arabia's growing role in science, innovation, and higher education in the region.
KAUST hosted the inaugural KAUST Saudi Leadership Program (KSLP) for Emerging Leaders from November 24-26, welcoming approximately 100 young Saudi men and women from industry, government, and academia. The program, delivered in collaboration with the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, focused on "Leading through Innovation." Participants were selected based on their high potential and track record, aiming to develop their capacity to drive change and build professional networks. Why it matters: The KSLP program strengthens KAUST's role in developing Saudi talent and contributing to the Kingdom's innovation ecosystem, preparing future leaders to shape innovation within Saudi Arabia.
KAUST has the most Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers in the Middle East for 2024, with 14 faculty members on the list. This represents 61% of the highly cited researchers in Saudi Arabia and 7% of KAUST's total faculty. Three KAUST researchers—Osman Bakr, Carlos Duarte, and Yoshihide Wada—are highly cited across multiple categories. Why it matters: This recognition reinforces KAUST's position as a leading research university in the region and contributes to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals.