What is KAUST?
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is an international, graduate-level research university. Research at KAUST will focus on areas that are important to the future of Saudi Arabia, the region and the world and will take place in world-class facilities serving students, researchers and faculty in disciplines such as energy and environment, water desalination, industrial biotechnology, and scientific computing. All classes at KAUST will be conducted in English. KAUST will create and support the highest standards of scholarship through merit-based opportunities for men and women from around the world.
Where is KAUST located?
The University is being developed in a unique coastal location on the eastern shore of the Red Sea near Rabigh, approximately 80 kilometers north of Jiddah and approximately an hour north of Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. KAUST will encompass a total area of more than 36 million square meters, with the University campus occupying about 16 million square meters on land. The remaining area is a vibrant offshore ecosystem that will be a sanctuary and part of the new University’s research areas of interest.
What are the core principles of KAUST?
As an independent university governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees and supported by a multi-billion dollar endowment, KAUST will convene the best minds â€" based strictly on merit â€" and create a collaborative community of passionate and talented researchers from around the world. The University will act as a catalyst for research that applies science and technology to problems of human need, social advancement, and economic development in Saudi Arabia, across the region, and around the globe.
What is campus life at KAUST going to be like?
T
he KAUST campus and surrounding community will incorporate a distinctive blend of traditional regional architecture and modern styles and amenities. The buildings will evoke ancient centers of learning within a context of high-tech science and research facilities. The University will be located in a secure environment featuring a well-planned and landscaped academic core and research laboratories, along with a seaside community and commercial center with a wide variety of shops and housing, from apartments to single-family homes. There will be parks, playgrounds, and schools for families with children; recreation amenities will include a golf course, yacht club, and marina. The campus will overlook the sea, and many of the residences will have waterfront views.
How can I receive updates about KAUST?
What is KAUST’s academic structure?
KAUST’s fundamental organizing unit will be interdisciplinary Research Institutes. Within each Institute will be Research Centers, some of which will be developed in collaboration with other institutions or the private sector. Researchers and scholars across disciplines will be drawn to KAUST to collaborate on specific scientific or technical problems. The first four Institutes will be Resources, Energy and Environment; Biosciences and Bioengineering; Materials Science and Engineering; and Applied Mathematics and Computational Science.
What degrees does KAUST offer?
KAUST is a graduate-level university and will offer only master’s and Ph.D. levels of education. Traditional “coursework†master’s degrees will be limited, as the emphasis will be on research training.
What are the KAUST fields of study?
KAUST will initially offer degrees in five fields of study:
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Applied Mathematics and Computational Science
What additional classes or electives complement the core curriculum?
The University will offer four horizontal programs containing core courses and electives that will apply across all the scientific and technical fields of study and degrees:
- Communication Skills
- Teaching and Learning of Science & Technology
- Management and Entrepreneurship
- Technology and Society
When will KAUST open its doors to students?
KAUST is currently establishing academic and research agreements and scholarship programs. The first group of KAUST graduate students will begin their studies in September 2009.
How do I apply for admission to KAUST?
Details regarding regular admission will be made available soon on the student section of the KAUST Web site. In the meantime, you can apply for admission through the KAUST Discovery Scholarship program.
I am not a Saudi citizen. Can I still apply for admission at KAUST?
Yes. KAUST is merit-based and will welcome men and women from around the world.
What is the KAUST Discovery Scholarship?
The KAUST Discovery Scholarship is the general scholarship program of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
The scholarship is designed to attract highly talented students from Saudi Arabia and around the world who are qualified and eligible to enroll in KAUST. The University will offer a pre-enrollment version of this general scholarship program to students with one to three years remaining until completion of their first university (bachelor’s) degree. Upon graduation, these students will enter KAUST as master's degree students and complete their graduate studies on a fully funded scholarship.
What does the KAUST Discovery Scholarship provide to awardees?
Students awarded the KAUST Discovery Scholarship will receive the following benefits:
- For the remainder of their first university degree, they will receive:
- Full tuition to complete their first university degree
- A living stipend based on their current city and country of residence
- An allowance to purchase text books
- An allowance to purchase a laptop
- All economy class travel costs associated with their participation in KAUST-sponsored enrichment activities throughout the remainder of their current degree program of study. In particular, travel associated with the following activities:
- Scholarship award ceremony event
- Global workshop at the KAUST campus in Saudi Arabia
- Regional leadership workshop
- Upon the completion of a first university degree program of study, they will receive:
- Admission into a master's degree program at the KAUST campus in Saudi Arabia
- A full scholarship at KAUST, including tuition, housing and travel costs
What is the application process?
Applicants must complete a secure, on-line application and are required to submit the following information:
- Personal data
- Three (3) letters of reference addressing the academic, leadership and research abilities of the applicant
- Statement of purpose
- Personal statement
- Official academic transcript(s)
- TOEFL or IELTS score
What is the applicant selection process?
Applications are judged on merit in an open and independent review conducted by a selection panel composed of international education experts and premier global research faculty from around the world. Selection panels will recommend finalists to KAUST officials, who will endorse the final selection. Selected universities invited by KAUST will be able to nominate outstanding students for the Scholarship.
What is the selection timeline?
The online application deadline is November 9, 2007. Letters of recommendation and university transcripts must be sent by November 13, 2007. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores are due by no later than January 11, 2008. KAUST will select the first recipients of the KAUST Discovery Scholarship by early 2008.
How do I know if I am eligible to apply?
All applicants must demonstrate proven leadership in research and academic involvement. At a minimum, you must have the following academic qualifications:
- Official university record documenting academic achievement at the highest level
- Current enrollment in a first university degree (bachelor’s) program in a KAUST-related field of study
- 550 TOEFL PBT or 213 TOEFL CBT, 79-80 iBT, or 6.0 on the IELTS for non-native English speakers
- Proven research interest and/or leadership potential
- Ability to enter a master's program at KAUST in September 2009 or after
What are the requirements of the Discovery Scholarship?
- Agreement to matriculate at KAUST following completion of your first university degree (bachelor’s).
- Participation in KAUST-sponsored enrichment activities that include an award ceremony, a workshop in home region, and a conference in Saudi Arabia
- Obtaining necessary documents for travel outside of the your home country (KAUST will assist with travel documents for entrance into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
- Maintenance of the highest academic standards and results at your current university through graduation
- Return of the signed copy of the KAUST Discovery Scholarship Terms and Conditions upon acceptance
- Copies of the first three (3) pages of your international travel documents, which should include your photograph, birth date, location of birth, and expiration date of your travel documents
What happens if I do not meet the requirements of the Scholarship?
KAUST expects all selected students to comply with the ongoing conditions of the Scholarship. If it is determined that the scholarship recipient fails to meet the criteria of the scholarship, as defined in the KAUST Discovery Scholarship Terms and Conditions document, the award will be immediately terminated.
What are the KAUST fields of study?
KAUST will initially offer degrees in five fields of study:
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Applied Mathematics and Computational Science
What is the ITP TOEFL? Are ITP scores acceptable for application purposes? If so, what is the minimum score?
The Institutional Testing Program (ITP) TOEFL test is administered at approved university and secondary school venues frequently. The ITP test is administered using previous version of the official TOEFL. The minimum score for the KAUST Discovery Scholarship is 550. ITP scores are acceptable for the scholarship application only. Recipients will be required to submit official TOEFL scores.
How do I know if I am required to submit a TOEFL/IELTS/ITP score?
To be eligible for the Discovery Scholarship, all students must take the TOEFL, IELTS, or ITP exam. The exceptions are students who are citizens of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
What academic records am I required to submit at the time of application? Are unofficial transcripts acceptable? Do they need to be in English?
Applicants may upload unofficial transcripts or grade reports to the application for review. If selected, applicants will be required to submit official transcripts for verification. All applicants are required to submit transcript or grade reports in English. If the university administration is unable to provide academic records in English, an official translation is required.
If I graduate in 2008, when can I enter KAUST? When will the KAUST campus open?
If you graduate in 2008 and are selected as a Discovery Scholarship recipient, you would participate in student conferences and enrichment seminars funded by KAUST and be connected with the online KAUST student community until the campus opens in September 2009. Through these experiences you will get to know your fellow students before the University opens. The Discovery Scholarship would fund the remainder of your undergraduate or first university degree. Expenses occurred after you graduate and before you enter KAUST to pursue your master’s degree are not covered by the scholarship.
I
am scheduled to begin undergraduate studies next year. When can I apply for the Discovery Scholarship?
KAUST encourages you to apply after you have completed one full academic year of undergraduate or first university degree studies.
Are current graduate students wishing to earn a second master's degree eligible for the Discovery Scholarship?
Only currently enrolled undergraduate students are eligible for KAUST Discovery Scholarships. Current graduate students are welcome to apply directly to KAUST when general admissions open in 2008. KAUST will post information to the Web site about the general application when it becomes available.
If a student already receives a scholarship from another source, is that student eligible for a KAUST Discovery Scholarship?
Students who currently receive funding and/or scholarships at their current institution are eligible. KAUST will consider these other funding sources when determining the Discovery Scholarship award amount. Students should check with their university financial aid offices if they have questions regarding their funding, awards, and scholarships.
Will 2008 graduates be awarded "gap" funding for the year prior to matriculation at KAUST in 2009?
KAUST provides scholarship funding and benefits for Discovery Scholarship recipients while they are enrolled in their current undergraduate program. KAUST will not provide funding or benefits for time between completion of the recipient’s undergraduate degree and matriculation at KAUST.
Is it possible to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) instead of the TOEFL?
Yes. While TOEFL test exam scores are preferred, you may submit IELTS scores.
Am I required to submit a GRE test score?
No, you are not required to submit a GRE score. You are required to submit official university documents of your academic achievement at your university and a TOEFL or IELTS score if you are a non-native English speaker.
If I cannot apply by the current application deadline, is it possible to apply at another time?
Yes. There will be two applications cycles per year beginning in 2008. If you cannot submit a complete application at the current time, please submit during the second application cycle, which begins in early December 2007.
Who should I contact during the application process?
If you have any questions during the application process, you can contact the KAUST Scholarship Office via e-mail at
scholarships@kaust.edu.sa
What is the King Abdullah Scholar Award?
The King Abdullah Scholar Award provides support to outstanding doctoral students in academic and research areas related to KAUST (as defined above). The King Abdullah Scholar Award is a unique opportunity to recognize excellence in academics and research by select graduate students from around the world. King Abdullah Scholars will promote the fundamental principles of the KAUST mission through their research at leading institutions around the world. As "ambassadors" for the KAUST mission of excellence in global research, King Abdullah Scholars will adhere to the highest standards of innovation and advancement of academic research. Promoting program goals on a global basis is an integral part of the scholarship.
Awardees will represent KAUST as "ambassadors" at their home institutions, participate in KAUST events, and engage in summer research activities at KAUST.
KAUST will invite select universities to nominate scholars for the King Abdullah Scholar Award.
What are the King Abdullah Scholar Award benefits?
Benefits of the King Abdullah Scholar Award will include the following:
- Annual award of up to $50,000 for tuition, living stipend and educational expenses, and up to $10,000 to be used for the continuation of your research activities for up to four years.
- Research opportunities at the KAUST campus
- Travel funds to participate in KAUST-sponsored King Abdullah Award enrichment activities.
What is the applicant selection process?
KAUST will invite a selected number of graduate research universities from across the globe to nominate candidates for the award. Nominations are judged on merit in an open and independent review conducted by a selection panel composed of international higher education experts and premier global research faculty. Once nominated, the applicants must complete an online application. The selection panel will recommend finalists to KAUST officials, who will endorse the final selection.
All applicants are required to submit the following information:
- Three (3) letters of reference addressing the academic, leadership and research abilities of the applicant
- Statement of research purpose
- Personal statement
- Transcript or official university record documenting academic achievement at the highest level
What is the selection timeline?
KAUST will select the first cohort of King Abdullah Scholars in Fall/Winter 2007.
Who is eligible?
KAUST will invite select universities to nominate scholars for the King Abdullah Scholar Award.
In addition to the minimum program requirements listed below, all King Abdullah Scholar Award nominees must demonstrate an exceptional research record and the potential for further excellence in research fields related to science and technology. Minimum requirements include:
- Official university record documenting academic achievement at the highest level
- Current enrollment (or acceptance) in a doctoral program in a KAUST-related field of study
- Potential to make a unique and significant scholarly contribution in a KAUST-related field of study
What are the complete requirements of the Award?
- Representing KAUST at home institution
- Participating in KAUST-sponsored enrichment activities that include an award ceremony, a workshop in home region, and a global conference in Saudi Arabia
- Obtaining necessary documents for travel outside of the scholar’s home country (KAUST will assist with travel documents for entrance into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
- Attending regional and global conferences sponsored by KAUST and participation in enrichment activities aimed at promoting educational, research and leadership goals
- Returning a signed copy of the King Abdullah Scholar Award Terms and Conditions upon acceptance
- Submitting copies of the first three (3) pages of your passport (or travel documents), which include your photograph, birth date, location of birth, and expiration date of your passport or travel document.
What happens if I do not meet the ongoing requirements of the Award?
KAUST expects all selected students to comply with the ongoing conditions of the Award. If it is determined that the scholarship recipient fails to meet the criteria of the scholarship, as defined in the King Abdullah Scholar Award Terms and Conditions document, the award will be immediately terminated.
Who should I contact during the application process? If you have any questions during the application process, please contact the King Abdullah Scholar Award via e-mail at:
scholarships@kaust.edu.sa When will KAUST begin the selection process for faculty members?Initial screening will be conducted for highly qualified faculty beginning in 2007. Faculty positions will be offered only after KAUST’s Founding President is appointed and assumes office.
Faculty Information:
http://www.kaust.edu.sa/faculty/default.aspx Will KAUST offer tenure to its professors?
KAUST faculty will be non-tenured and employed with renewable or rolling two- to five-year contracts.
Will KAUST professors be expect to teach or do research?Faculty will enter KAUST with two appointments: one in their Research Institute and one in the Faculty of Science or Engineering. As members of an Institute, the faculty will conduct research and be assisted by post-doctoral fellows and Ph.D. and master's research students. As members of the faculty, they will teach master's courses, supervise Ph.D. candidates, and participate in Boards of Study.
Faculty Information:
http://www.kaust.edu.sa/faculty/default.aspx How can I obtain the required official travel documents to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
If you do not already have official travel documents from your country of residence, we encourage you to obtain them as soon as possible.
Those who receive a KAUST Discovery Scholarship or King Abdullah Scholar Award must obtain a visa to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the annual KAUST Discovery Scholarship Global Conference and for either the start of your degree program of study,or the annual King Abdullah Scholars Global Conference. KAUST will assist recipients in obtaining travel documents to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
To obtain instructions on the visa application process, please refer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Embassy or consulate in your country. If you already have travel documents, please check to make sure that they are valid and up-to-date. You are responsible for paying the costs of obtaining these documents.
How will the research space at KAUST compare to labs in other universities?The research facilities at KAUST will consist of world-class labs, offices, administrative spaces and support facilities. Importantly, while the research buildings may be designated, for example, the "Materials Science and Engineering Building," the
Research Institutes at KAUST will be virtual, not physical, entities. No building will be dedicated to a single Institute, and faculty appointed in any Institute will be able to occupy space in more than one building.
A typical Research Center at KAUST will include a multi-investigator, multi-laboratory, often industry-collaborative group of professorial faculty, research scientists and engineers, post-doctoral researchers, visiting researchers (including resident and visiting scientists from industry) and administrative and technical staff.
Will KAUST include facilities that help students fabricate products based on their research?Yes. KAUST’s plans include an
Innovation Center that will be located within the KAUST Research Park and will serve University-sponsored activities, including support for startups and established company "skunk works," where new products may be developed outside corporate facilities.
KAUST is uniquely positioned to succeed in promoting technology transfer from the academic setting to the private-sector. It has a focused mission; the financial capacity to attract researchers in fields that are susceptible to rapid technology transfer; state-of-the-art and readily adaptable facilities; and the opportunity to offer the use of these facilities at below-market rates.
Will KAUST Researchers have the opportunity to partner with private-sector researchers?
Yes. Initially, KAUST envisions that most of its private-sector engagements will involve leading Saudi companies, including Saudi Aramco, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), and Saudi Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC). However, multinational organizations with current or potential interests in Saudi Arabia also may be early participants.
As in collaborations with universities and non-profit research organizations, KAUST intends to be flexible and open to a range of possibilities, including:
- Private-sector entities considering substantial investments in research in Saudi Arabia and the region;
- Private-sector groups searching for partners for activities ranging from collaborative research to locating such a program at a near-campus research park; and
- Small companies, including startups, looking for incubator space near a growing R&D center.
What types of partnerships with the private sector does KAUST envision?
The University will develop a number of programmatic approaches to private-sector partnerships and collaborations. Among them:
- an industrial affiliates endeavor
- a research and technology conference series
- participation in the KAUST Global Research Partnership
- sponsorships of KAUST students
- visiting researchers at KAUST Institutes
Are there any additional areas of research planned?
Yes. In addition to Research Centers and collaborations associated with the Institutes, KAUST may develop other special centers or field stations that are not affiliated with a particular Institute. Special Research Centers or field stations in development or planned for the future include:
- The KAUST Marine & Ocean Research Center: In June 2007, KAUST named Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) as its first partner in global collaborative research. WHOI experts will work with KAUST to design and maintain this facility, which will provide a base of operations for scientific research conducted in the Red Sea. The collaboration with the WHOI is critical to KAUST, not only because research of the Red Sea ecology is relatively new, but also because the coastal campus of KAUST will include 19 million square meters of protected marine sanctuary. The agreement signed by WHOI and KAUST creates three initial areas of research at KAUST: coral reefs; coastal hydrography; and fisheries and aquaculture. WHOI also will provide consultation on the design of the main lab facility, the seawater lab facility and the seaside dock facility for the KAUST Marine and Ocean Research Center.
- The Islamic Science and Technology Research Center: In addition to conducting original research at KAUST, scholars from around the world who specialize in this topic would help curate and explicate the special collections of digital and physical artifacts in the KAUST Library and Museum that highlight the historical leadership that Islam has recorded in scientific innovation and discovery. Over time, these collections may evolve into a world-leading repository, making KAUST an international center for this field of study.
What is the Global Research Partnership?
The Global Research Partnership (GRP) is a research funding program focused on discovery and innovation in areas of science and technology important to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the region, and the world.
Why is KAUST launching the GRP?
KAUST is a new institution seeking to establish a tradition of research excellence. To succeed in its mission of national, regional and global contribution, KAUST must develop a broad and deep network of research collaborators. The GRP will enable KAUST to contribute to the global community, fund world-class scientists and engineers, and establish important institutional relationships that will assist KAUST as it builds the research facilities and capacity on its campus.
What are the main GRP programs? How much financial support do they provide?
The GRP has three main programs:
- Centers and Centers-in-Development â€" Multi-investigator; may involve more than one university; often with private-sector participation. Center awards will provide up to $5 million per year for five years; and the Center-in-Development program will provide up to $1.5 million per year for three years.
- Investigators â€" Individual scientists or engineers leading a laboratory. Investigator awards will provide up to $2 million per year for five years.
- Research Fellows â€" Post-doctoral researchers. Research Fellow awards will provide $100,000 in salary, benefits and research support per year for three years.
How many Centers, Investigators, and Research Fellows will be supported?
The GRP intends to fund up to five Centers and up to six Centers-in-Development in the first funding cycle (each year it will announce a new funding cycle); 12 Investigators; and 20 Research Fellows. The numbers will grow over time: as many as 14 Centers, 33 Investigators, and 100 Research Fellow awards may run concurrently in subsequent funding cycles.
Why are only invited institutions allowed to participate?
The initial GRP funding cycle has an accelerated timetable. To facilitate the award management and decision process, KAUST has decided to invite proposals from about 60 universities from around the world that are known for research excellence in KAUST-relevant fields. The list of invitees may be expanded in the future, or there may be an open call for nominations and proposals.
What are the timetables and due dates for the GRP programs?
The program timetables for the first funding cycle are as follows:
Centers
- Submission of Preliminary Proposal: October 31, 2007
- Invitations for Final Proposals Issued: December 15, 2007
- Submission of Invited Final Proposals: January 30, 2008
- Start Date of Award: on or about March 31, 2008
Investigators
- Nominations Due: November 15, 2007
- Start Date of Award: February 15, 2008
Research Fellows
- Nominations Due: February 20, 2008
- Start Date of Award: May 15, 2008
Where does the money for the GRP come from?
The money for the GRP comes from the proceeds of KAUST’s permanent multi-billion dollar endowment.
Who makes the final decisions about awards?
KAUST leadership will make the final decisions about awards, based on the recommendations of a Technical Advisory Committee made up of distinguished scientists and industry experts, who will oversee a rigorous peer review process.
