KAUST GROUNDBREAKING:
THE PURSUIT OF DISCOVERY BEGINS - October 21, 2007

The KAUST Groundbreaking: The vision becomes reality. Click here to view footage from the ceremony.

KAUST GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

At Thuwal, on the coast of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology officially breaks ground. The world-class, graduate-level research university takes another step in its transformation from vision to reality.

Distinguished Speakers

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Read the King's speech

H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources
Chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees
Read Mr. Al-Naimi's speech

Mr. Abdullah S. Jum'ah
President and CEO, Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco)
Read Mr. Jum'ah's speech

Mr. Nadhmi A. Al-Nasr
Vice Chairman, KAUST Presidential Search Committee
Interim President, KAUST
Read Mr. Al-Nasr's speech

Prof. Frank H. T. Rhodes
Member, KAUST International Advisory Council
President Emeritus, Cornell University
Read Prof. Rhodes' speech

Related Resources

Symposium
IT Summit
Campus Plan

Register for News Updates

KAUST AT A GLANCE...

KAUST’s core campus, located on the Red Sea at Thuwal, will sit on more than 36 million square meters, encompassing a marine sanctuary and research facility around a unique coral reef ecosystem. View highlights of the Red Sea marine sanctuary on KAUST’s coastal campus.

KAUST AT A GLANCE...

The campus and surrounding community will incorporate a distinctive blend of traditional regional architecture and modern styles and amenities. Tour the latest 3D architectural renderings of the KAUST Campus and Town Center.

KAUST AT A GLANCE...

The founding President of KAUST was set in place in 2008. The Presidential Search Committee comprised 16 globally recognized leaders in academia, science and business.

KAUST AT A GLANCE...

KAUST is now accepting applications for the KAUST Discovery Scholarship. Exceptional students who are awarded a Discovery Scholarship will receive full tuition support, a living stipend, and summer and career enrichment programs. Apply Today.

KAUST AT A GLANCE...

His Excellency Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, is supported in the development of KAUST by an International Advisory Council (IAC) composed of leaders in higher education and science and technology. Meet the Council members.

KAUST AT A GLANCE...

In conjunction with Groundbreaking celebration, KAUST will also host a special academic symposium on October 22nd titled “The Role of the Research University in the 21st Century.” The panels will include more than two dozen leading scholars and academic administrators from around the world. Learn more.

KAUST AT A GLANCE...

On October 27-29, KAUST will bring together experts in computer science, e-science and date-intensive supercomputing to discuss the digital infrastructure needed to support world-leading research in the next 10 to 15 years at the KAUST IT Summit. Learn more.