KAUST hosted the 15th General Conference of The World Academy of Sciences (UNESCO-TWAS) virtually from November 1–4, 2021, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The conference focused on the role of scientific research in enhancing human well-being and featured speakers from KAUST, Saudi ministries, UNESCO, and other international organizations. Participants engaged with KAUST faculty and discussed topics such as financing science, technology, and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Why it matters: This event highlights KAUST's role as a hub for international scientific collaboration and its commitment to advancing research and development in the region.
KAUST researchers have developed a genomic resource for Tausch’s goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii), a wild relative of wheat, by creating 46 high-quality genome assemblies. They compiled 493 genetically distinct accessions from an initial 900, collaborating with the Open Wild Wheat Consortium to select accessions with traits of interest, such as disease resistance and stress tolerance. Screening these assemblies helped identify rust resistance genes, including mapping a stem rust resistance gene to the Sr33 locus. Why it matters: This genomic resource will accelerate gene discovery in wheat, potentially improving modern wheat varieties and enhancing global food security.
Professor Arnab Pain's group at KAUST discovered new insights on how a malaria protein enables parasites to spread malaria in human cells. Professor Haavard Rue's group upgraded the Integrated and Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) for faster real-time modeling of large datasets. A KAUST-led study examined the stability of Y-series nonfullerene acceptors for organic solar cells. Why it matters: KAUST continues producing impactful research across diverse fields from medicine to climate change, advancing scientific knowledge and potential applications.
KAUST was listed among science rising stars. The announcement comes from KAUST. No further details were provided in the snippet. Why it matters: Recognition of KAUST as a rising star could help attract more talent and funding to the institution.
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 Professor David Keyes was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his contributions to parallel computing and numerical analysis. He was formally recognized at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Keyes expressed feeling humbled and honored by the award, emphasizing the breadth of science and engineering that AAAS encompasses. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the caliber of research and researchers at KAUST, enhancing the university's reputation and fostering international collaborations in computational science.
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 highlights postdoctoral fellows Yi Jin Liew, Isabelle Schulz, Maren Ziegler and Neus Garcias Bonet outside the University Library. The article mentions King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1924 – 2015). It encourages applications to KAUST's Discovery Postdoctoral program. Why it matters: This brief announcement signals KAUST's ongoing investment in attracting international research talent to Saudi Arabia.