Board of Trustees
The KAUST Board of Trustees comprises international leaders in academia, science, finance, industry, and public life.
In accordance with the charter, members of this fully independent, self-perpetuating body gather at least three times a year to oversee the University’s activities and monitor its progress and development. Trustees “shall embody wise and responsible governance and supervision, and shall contribute to this pioneering endeavor and promote the spirit of creativity the University represents.”
The 20-member Board appoints the President of KAUST and approves the appointment of senior administrators and faculty members, upon recommendation of the President. It is responsible for approving rules that regulate academic, financial, and administrative affairs at the University, and for providing support to the officers who manage day-to-day operations at KAUST.
Other statutory functions of the Board and its four standing committees include establishment of institutional partnerships and oversight of assets, including the University's endowment, campus, and facilities.
The current members of the KAUST Board of Trustees are:
His Excellency Minister Ali Ibrahim Al-Naimi
Chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
His Royal Highness Prince Mansour bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah
Minister of Health,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad M. Ali
President, Islamic Development Bank
His Excellency Dr. Khaled Al-Sultan
Rector and CEO
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni
President, Global Research and Development, Sanofi Aventis
Professor Rolf-Dieter Heuer
Director General, European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
Dr. Frank H.T. Rhodes
President Emeritus, Cornell University
Professor Choon Fong Shih
President, KAUST
Dr. Shirley M. Tilghman
President, Princeton University
Dr. Alice P. Gast
President, Lehigh University
Dr. Charles M. Vest
President, National Academy of Engineering and President Emeritus, MIT
Dr. Nam Pyo Suh
President, KAIST(Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
Professor Tony Chan
President, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Mr. Khalid Al-Falih
President and CEO, Saudi Aramco
Mr. Andrew Gould
Chairman, Schlumberger Limited
Mr. Mohammed A. Jameel
President, Abdullatif Jameel Group
Ms. Lubna S. Olayan
Deputy Chairperson and CEO, Olayan Financing Company
Mr. William F. Stamm
Executive Secretary to the Board