KAUST provided school supplies to students in the villages of Thuwal and Qadimah. This was part of the KAUST Sixth Annual Back to School Campaign held in September. The supplies were given to students in University's neighboring villages. Why it matters: This demonstrates KAUST's commitment to supporting education and community development in its surrounding areas.
KAUST launched the first edible education program in Saudi Arabia at The KAUST School (TKS) in Thuwal. The Edible School Garden Project (ESGP) integrates sustainable agriculture, healthy food habits, and plant science into K-12 curricula. The pilot project aims to provide locally grown, free, nutritious lunches to all K-12 students across Saudi Arabia. Why it matters: This initiative pioneers a sustainable approach to food education, aligning with Saudi Arabia's vision for a healthier, more sustainable future by engaging students in the full life cycle of food production.
KAUST hosted 19 female students and teachers from Thuwal intermediate school. This was part of its Young Learners Development Program (YLDP), administered by the Social Responsibility department. The visit was organized by the KAUST Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC). Why it matters: Such programs encourage local youth to pursue STEM fields and build stronger ties between KAUST and the surrounding community.
Fred Davies from Texas A&M University spoke at KAUST about the challenges of feeding the world's growing population. The keynote address was part of KAUST's Enrichment in the Fall program. Davies discussed the growing needs and problems related to global food production. Why it matters: Such discussions at KAUST can help foster research and innovation in agricultural technologies relevant to Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
KAUST's Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security (CoE-SFS) has launched 12 translation projects focused on plant growth and water security, establishing partnerships with public and private entities to scale up research. Mark Tester's team developed stress-tolerant rootstocks, grafted onto crops like tomatoes, that thrive in hot, dry conditions with increased yields. Through his start-up Iyris, Tester is conducting commercial field trials in over 12 countries. Why it matters: These efforts to adapt agriculture to environmental change are crucial for ensuring food security in Saudi Arabia, the region, and globally, especially in the face of climate change and limited water resources.