King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), globally recognized science and technology institution and the Arab region’s top ranked university, is hosting the Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit 2025 from October 7 - October 9, marking the summit’s first edition in the Middle East.  

Bringing together university leaders, policymakers, industry leaders and academics from across the world, the Summit will discuss the theme “Universities as agents of progress”, exploring how universities accelerate innovation and economic growth, advance sustainability, preserve culture, and strengthen global collaboration.  

KAUST President Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC FMedSci and THE’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Phil Baty will open the program, setting out how universities can align and evolve to address shared global challenges and prepare the next generation for a rapidly evolving world. Sessions will highlight how universities are redefining their purpose — not only as places of learning, but as dynamic agents of progress. Speakers will present researchled, applied solutions that address real-world needs, from resilient, sustainable cities to breakthroughs in health and AI, and the skills students need for a sustainable future. Examples include the role of universities in building sustainable, resilient cities demonstrated by KAUST Professor Sami Al Ghamdi, whose research on smart cities and urban design supports communities to withstand the stresses of climate change; and biomedical engineer, Professor Dana Al-Sulaiman, whose pioneering early disease detection technologies are at the forefront of medical innovation. Attendees will also experience fireside chats from world-leading KAUST professors, including Carlos Duarte, who recently won the prestigious Japan Prize, and Juergen Schmidhuber, a renowned AI researcher widely regarded as one of the pioneers in the field.  

KAUST President, Professor Sir Edward Byrne said: “We are honored to welcome the global higher education community to KAUST for this landmark summit. As the first university in the Middle East to host this event, this is both a recognition of the Kingdom’s growing role in science and innovation, and a showcase for universities designed for impact. Universities must be bold in tackling the world’s most urgent challenges, from climate and health to sustainable economic development, and Vision 2030 provides an ambitious framework for this mission. At KAUST, our RDI priorities reflect these challenges directly, and this gathering offers the chance to work with partners worldwide to drive progress. We look forward to welcoming delegates to our Red Sea campus and to, together, shaping, the future of higher education.”  

Nearly 750 participants are expected to take part in the event, including 105 plenary speakers from 75 institutions and 28 countries. With 38% female representation and a strong international presence, the program underscores the diversity, inclusivity, and global relevance of the gathering. Notably, over 90% of plenary speakers hail from the Europe, MENA, the Americas and Asia, reflecting both the regional importance and the worldwide impact of the summit.  

Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Times Higher Education, commented: “The World Academic Summit 2025 brings together some of the most influential voices in higher education to address the challenges and opportunities facing universities today. KAUST, with its global outlook and leadership in research and innovation, provides the ideal setting for this important dialogue.”  

Hosting the summit reflects KAUST’s role as a mission-driven university supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 research, development, and innovation priorities such as health and wellbeing; a sustainable environment; energy and industry leadership; and economies of the future. With its Red Sea campus and global partnerships, KAUST offers an inspiring venue for shaping the future of higher education.