KAUST organized a breast cancer awareness event in Thuwal on October 12, attended by over 150 women and girls from the local community, along with healthcare and education partners. The event featured educational lectures, personal stories from breast cancer survivors, and interactive sessions on early screening. KAUST's director of Social and Community Development highlighted the university's commitment to women's health and empowerment through such initiatives. Why it matters: This event demonstrates KAUST's commitment to social responsibility and community engagement by promoting health awareness and empowering women, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.
KAUST is hosting a Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) featuring several events. These include a farmers market from January 14-16, an exploration of Asir landscapes and art with lectures and exhibitions from January 19-21, and a final gala on January 21. Why it matters: These events promote community engagement, cultural exchange, and awareness of Saudi heritage and sustainable practices at KAUST.
The KAUST community held the opening night of its 2016 Enrichment in the Fall program. The event's theme was "Food for All." Photos from the event were taken by Meres Weche. Why it matters: This community event highlights KAUST's engagement with broader social themes, though the AI relevance is low.
MBZUAI Executive Program participants gathered for community-building activities on Jubail Island, including a mangrove walk and dinner. MBZUAI President Eric Xing emphasized the opportunity to build partnerships and an AI community. The event aimed to foster collaboration and understanding among participants to drive positive AI progress. Why it matters: Such initiatives can help bridge divides between organizations and facilitate the responsible development of AI in the UAE.
KAUST's Center for Desert Agriculture (CDA) and The KAUST School (TKS) hosted the second annual Plant Science Family Night, featuring over 25 interactive stations. The event engaged families from the KAUST community in learning about plant biology and sustainability, covering topics like composting, genetics, and irrigation. Representatives from organizations including CDA, TKS, Terraxy, and KAUST Sustainability participated with demonstrations and discussions. Why it matters: Such outreach events are important for promoting science education and environmental stewardship within Saudi Arabia, inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators.
KAUST will host its Fall Discovery Enrichment program from October 14-22, focusing on the theme "Food for All." The program includes discussions on women in biology led by Bettina Berger, Jasmeen Merzaban, Peiying Hong, and Ashwag Albukhari. Other activities feature a workshop on diet improvement by Amna Malik and cooking demonstrations by German chef Bernd Arold, alongside screenings of food-related movies. Why it matters: The event promotes community engagement and education around food-related topics, highlighting the intersection of science, health, and culture within the KAUST community.
KAUST will host its first annual Enrichment in the Fall program starting October 17, featuring lectures, films, workshops, concerts, and artworks. The program focuses on the biodiversity and wildlife in the KAUST community, with events aimed at all ages and interests. The enrichment program includes community activities on the weekends of October 17–18 and October 24–25. Why it matters: This program signals KAUST's ongoing commitment to community engagement and education in areas like biodiversity, complementing its established Winter Enrichment Program.
KAUST hosted the "Human-Machine Networks and Intelligent Infrastructures" conference, co-organized by Prof. Jeff Shamma and Asst. Prof. Meriem Laleg. The conference explored the blend of engineered devices and human elements in large-scale systems like smart grids. Keynote speaker Dr. Pramod Khargonekar discussed cyber-physical-social systems and emerging trends. Why it matters: The conference highlights the growing importance of understanding the interplay between AI, infrastructure, and human behavior in the development of smart cities and intelligent systems in the region.