KAUST achieved its highest ranking in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, placing in the top 100 globally. It ranked in the top 10 worldwide in SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG14 (Life Below Water). KAUST also ranked fifth among Arab universities and third among Saudi Arabian universities. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the increasing emphasis on sustainability in Saudi Arabia's research and innovation ecosystem, with KAUST playing a leading role.
KAUST has been ranked No. 1 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Arab University Rankings for the third consecutive year. The 2025 edition of the rankings evaluated universities across 20 key indicators, including global citation impact and industry collaboration. Sixteen of KAUST's faculty were named on the 2025 Clarivate highly cited list. Why it matters: This recognition reinforces KAUST’s position as a leading research university in the Arab world and reflects Saudi Arabia’s increasing global competitiveness in research, innovation, and advanced education.
KAUST is aligning its research, partnerships, and education with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 priorities, focusing on areas like energy transition, food security, and environmental resilience. A white paper released by KAUST outlines six focus areas including driving economic and industrial innovation and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s global scientific presence. Examples of KAUST initiatives include Cryogenic Carbon and Sulfur Co-capture (CCSC) technology and the KAUST Future Mobility Sandbox. Why it matters: This strategic alignment positions KAUST as a key player in advancing Saudi Arabia's national development goals through targeted research and innovation.
KAUST was ranked first in the Times Higher Education (THE) Arab University Rankings 2023, improving from second place the previous year. KAUST achieved a perfect score of 100 for research environment and saw improvements in industry income and international outlook. KAUST's supercomputer Shaheen III was also ranked the most powerful in the Middle East and #20 globally. Why it matters: This ranking highlights the increasing strength of Saudi Arabian universities and the region's growing focus on research, development, and innovation, especially in areas like AI.
KAUST has been ranked first in the Times Higher Education (THE) Arab University Rankings for the second consecutive year, outperforming over 350 universities in the MENA region. KAUST excels in research environment and quality, with scores of 98.5 and 95.7, respectively, comparable to global institutions like Cambridge and Harvard. This recognition highlights KAUST's role in advancing Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and its growing impact on the global stage. Why it matters: This ranking solidifies KAUST's position as a leading research university in the Arab world and a key contributor to the development of a knowledge-based economy in Saudi Arabia.
KAUST researchers are working on solutions to regional and global problems. A KAUST underwater glider completed 1,000 dives in the Red Sea. KAUST was ranked 19th globally in the Nature Index 2016 of top institutions for high-quality science. Why it matters: This illustrates KAUST's commitment to impactful research and its role as a leading scientific institution in the region.