Professor Choon Fong Shih, President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has made it his personal mission, “to help shape this new university of scholars, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs, spurring them to pursue the big questions in science and take on the global challenges facing humanity.”

The Wow Factor

The massive campus of 16 sq km on land, and 20 sq km of protected marine sanctuaries in the Red Sea and is just a 45-minute drive north of Jeddah. Dynamic solar towers can be seen from the highway as they anchor the main campus research buildings, library and museum.

Discovery Walk is a pathway linking all buildings for easy access and the Rotunda foyer is a center point for campus orientation, directions and meetings.

A stunning view of the KAUST campus harbor, the Red Sea and The Beacon are awe-inspiring and a marvel of engineering. Eleven thousand trees line the campus and an attention to sustainability and energy efficiency has resulted in KAUST being awarded the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification for a campus nurturing a new and proactive green consciousness.

King Abdullah’s vision has become a reality. The KAUST campus community of approximately 2000 people is settling into classes, new houses, new jobs, state-of-the-art research labs and a new place to call home.

“KAUST is a trust that belongs to us all. A living trust that we must keep. To keep this trust we must hold true to a commitment to inquiry to all. May KAUST prosper and grow and be a living gift for generations to come.” – Choon Fong Shih, KAUST President