KAUST will host the Asian Science Park Association (ASPA) Conference in November 2026. The conference will be held at the KAUST Research and Technology Park (KRTP). The event aims to promote scientific and industrial technologies and economic growth across Asia. Why it matters: This event further positions Saudi Arabia as a hub for innovation and collaboration between the Middle East and Asia, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's goals for entrepreneurship.
KAUST will host the Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit from October 7-9, 2025, the first time the summit will be held in the Middle East. The summit's theme is "Universities as Agents of Progress," aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Attendees will have opportunities to explore Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage and natural beauty. Why it matters: Hosting this summit positions KAUST and Saudi Arabia as key players in the global higher education landscape and showcases the Kingdom's commitment to advancing education and innovation.
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 and Industrial Clusters (IC) virtually signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to host a National BioPark project in the KAUST Research and Technology Park (KRTP). The BioPark aims to foster research and technology development in biopharmaceutical, smart health, and associated AI technologies. KAUST will provide BioPark entrepreneurs and investors access to its innovation ecosystem and facilities. Why it matters: This initiative will advance Saudi Arabia's biopharmaceutical industry and align with KAUST's focus on biological sciences, smart health, and AI, contributing to economic diversification.
KAUST will host its inaugural Future Forum in Riyadh on February 12-13, 2024, showcasing 15 years of KAUST's research and innovation. The forum aims to unite government, industry, investors, and academia, featuring panel discussions and an interactive exhibition with 47 speakers. The event will highlight KAUST's alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) agenda, which seeks to increase RDI investment to 2.5% of GDP. Why it matters: This forum signals KAUST's strategic pivot towards directly supporting Saudi Arabia's national development goals, potentially influencing the direction of AI research and funding in the Kingdom.