KAUST is the first mixed-gender university campus in Saudi Arabia.[3] In 2013, the university was among the 500 fastest growing research and citation records in the world.[4] In the 2016 Nature Index Rising Stars, the university ranked 19th in the world of the fastest rising universities for high quality research output.[5] In 2019 KAUST is ranked 8th fastest rising young universities (aged 50 and under) for their research output since 2015, as measured by fractional count (FC).[6]
KAUST is the highest ranking university in the Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2023.[7]
History
In 2006, Ali Al-Naimi chaired a Saudi Aramco team to undertake the building and planning of the academics. Nadhmi Al-Nasr was chosen to lead the project. They employed the Washington Advisory Group's Frank H. T. Rhodes and Frank Press to design the academic structure, SRI International to develop the four research institutes, and the architectural firm of HOK for the campus master plan, which included wind towers and solar panels. The location of the campus at Thuwal included 16.4 sq km on land and 19.6 sq km of marine sanctuary offshore. Ground breaking took place in Oct. 2007, and 178 scholarships were awarded in Jan. 2008.[1]
KAUST officially opened on September 23, 2009, at an inauguration ceremony, where King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud gave a speech where he stated that places like the university that "embrace all people are the first line of defence against extremists". The university initially received a $10 billion endowment.[8][9] Upon opening, the university admitted 400 students from over 60 countries and 70 faculty. The campus is home to Shaheen, Asia's fastest supercomputer at the time of its commissioning.[10]
In 2013, Mai Majed Al-Qurashi became the first woman to receive a PhD in Saudi Arabia, from KAUST.[11]
In September 2018, KAUST signed a 5-year R&D partnership agreement with McLaren.[12]
Campus
KAUST's campus with the campus mosque appearing on the left
Description
Residential street with outdoor sculpture
The university's core campus, located on the Red Sea at Thuwal,[13] is sited on more than 36 square kilometres (14 sq mi), encompassing a marine sanctuary, museum, and research facility.[14]
KAUST is the first mixed-gender university campus in Saudi Arabia.[3] Saudi authorities hope the mixed-gender center will help modernize the Kingdom's deeply conservative society.[15] The religious police do not operate on-site. Women are allowed to mix freely with men and they are not required to wear veils in the coeducational classes.[16]
KAUST was Saudi Arabia's first LEED certified project and is the world's largest LEED Platinum campus.[17] Designed by international architecture firm Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum, it was also chosen by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on the Environment (COTE) as one of the 2010 Top Ten Green Projects.[18] The university library received the 2011 AIA/ALA Library Building Award for accomplishments in library architecture.[19]
Research
KAUST organizes its research teams across three academic disciplines, 12 research centers and individual faculty labs. KAUST focuses its research around the areas of food and health, water, energy, environment and the digital domain.[20]
Academic divisions
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
Research in the Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE) is organized around six focal areas: environmental systems; epigenetics; functional biology; genomics; imaging/structural biology; and marine science.[21]
Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division
Research in the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE) is clustered into four main areas:[21]
Electrical engineering, including the development of communication networks; CMOS integrated circuits; electronic and optics/photonics devices; micro-electro-mechanical systems; various types of sensors, measurement and detection devices; as well as functional- and nano-materials.
Mathematical analysis, including modeling and simulations with applications to physical, chemical, biological and environmental processes; materials science; oil exploration and reservoir management.
Computer science and big data, including bioinformatics; and visual and extreme computing.
Statistics and data science, including climate science, environmental statistics, and biostatistics.
Physical Sciences and Engineering Division
Research in the Physical Sciences and Engineering Division (PSE) includes areas such as theoretical physics and physical chemistry; catalysis and bioengineering; polymers and composites; energy production, storage and conversion; water purification and environmental protection; novel materials, nanodevices and systems; sensors and smart devices for the detection of pollutants and the purification of air, water, and food; earth sciences, mechanics and geomechanics; oil exploration and recovery; and CO2 sequestration.[21]
Research centers
Research in the Academic Divisions is driven by independent faculty labs and 12 Research Centers.[22]
Caption text
Research center
Affiliated division
Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Research Center (AMPMC)
Physical Science and Engineering Division
Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center (ANPERC)
Physical Science and Engineering Division
Center for Desert Agriculture (CDA)
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC)
Physical Science and Engineering Division
Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC)
Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division
Extreme Computing Research Center (ECRC)
Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division
KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC)
Physical Science and Engineering Division
KAUST Solar Center (KSC)
Physical Science and Engineering Division
Red Sea Research Center (RSRC)
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
Resilient Computing and Cybersecurity Center (RC3)
Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division
Visual Computing Center (VCC)
Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division
Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC)
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
Takashi Gojobori - Japanese molecular biologist, Professor of Bioscience and associate director of the Computational Bioscience Research Center.
David E. Keyes - Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computational Science, Director of the Extreme Computing Research Center, and Senior Associate to the President
The Master of Science (M.S.) program at KAUST can be taken in one of the 16 available disciplines. It is expected that students complete the degree in 18 months and may be completed with or without a thesis component.
Admission to the M.S. program requires the satisfactory completion of an undergraduate science degree in a relevant or related area, such as engineering, mathematics or the physical, chemical and biological sciences.[25]
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program at KAUST can be taken in one of the 16 available disciplines. It typically takes three to four years to complete.
Admission to the Ph.D. program requires the satisfactory completion of a master's degree in science in a relevant or related area, such as engineering, mathematics or the physical, chemical and biological sciences.[26]
M.S. / Ph.D. Program
The M.S./Ph.D. program allows students to apply for the Ph.D. program after completing a bachelor's degree. The program typically takes four to five years to complete.[25]
Postgraduate Diploma
KAUST offers a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Industrial Design, Physical Science and Engineering, and Bioscience. Each program is made up of soft skill, experimental, theoretical and entrepreneurship courses as well as a capstone experience.[27]
Internship programs
Visiting Student Research Program
The VSRP is a three to six-month internship program available for 3rd/4th year undergraduate or master's students. During the program, students will work under the guidance of KAUST faculty mentors on a current research project. Students accepted into the program receive a monthly stiped as well as having their accommodation, health insurance and travel costs covered.[28]
Visiting Student Program
The Visiting Student Program (VS) is a flexible program allowing 3rd/4th year undergraduate or master's students to work directly with KAUST faculty members. Its length can range from a few days to several months. Students accepted into the program normally receive a monthly stiped as well as having their accommodation, health insurance and travel costs covered.[29]
Program disciplines
Applied Mathematics and Computational Science
Applied Physics
Bioengineering
Bioscience
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science and Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering
Environmental Science and Engineering
Marine Science
Material Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Plant Science
Statistics
Admissions
While there is no minimum academic entry requirement, those admitted typically have strong grade profiles and clear research interests. Applicants are also required to meet English language requirements for entry unless they qualify for an exemption.[30]
Fellowship
Every student who is admitted receives the KAUST Fellowship. This fellowship covers the cost of a student's tuition fees, accommodation, health insurance, and relocation costs as well as giving the student a monthly stipend.[31]
