RIYADH: The King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) has been ranked first among 50 leading universities worldwide.
It has also ranked 19th among the 100 most developed institutions in the world in terms of the number of high-quality research publications, according to the 2016 Nature Index, which identifies ascendant performance in science and tracks the high-quality research of more than 8,000 global institutions.
Eight KAUST faculty members were also listed on the Thomson Reuters list of the world’s most respected researchers.
KAUST, founded in 2009, is a private research university located in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. In a record period, the university achieved its distinguished position among the world’s leading research and scientific universities based on its academic level, scientific and research outputs, innovations and discoveries contributing to a balanced economic growth.
The university has endeavored to harness science and technology for the benefit of humanity and to meet and promote the needs of society.
It has also attracted talented minds from all over the world and has continued its commitment to the principles of achievement, perfection, passion, inspiration, diversity, integrity and integration into society.
According to the Department of Innovation and Economic Development, the university is working to increase its contribution to the various economic fields. Moreover, it also endeavors to achieve a knowledge-based economy for the Kingdom as well as to promote the culture of entrepreneurship.
Saudi Arabia's KAUST ranked first among 50 leading universities worldwide
Saudi Arabia's KAUST ranked first among 50 leading universities worldwide
Saudi Arabia to hold Human Capability Initiative conference in Riyadh in May
- HCI 2026 set to attract over 15,000 leaders, 250 speakers, including policymakers, industry leaders, experts from various sectors
- Program to focus on optimizing learning, working environments to maximize human capability in age of AI
LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program has announced the third edition of the Human Capability Initiative conference, featuring the UK as the country of honor.
The HCI will be held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, from May 3-4.
HCI 2026 is set to attract over 15,000 leaders and feature 250 speakers, including policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from various sectors.
Under the theme “The Human Code,” the program will focus on optimizing learning and working environments to maximize human capability in the age of artificial intelligence.
Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Saudi Arabia's minister of education and chairman of the Executive Committee of the HCDP, said the conference would showcase the Kingdom’s commitment to investing in people for sustainable economic growth and to enriching a global dialogue.
He added: “Human potential remains the most critical driver of progress in a rapidly changing global landscape, and investing in humans is the most critical pillar in building a competitive economy and a knowledge-based society.”
Majid Al-Kassabi, the Saudi minister of commerce and chairman of the Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council, welcomed the UK as the conference’s country of honor.
He said: “(This) represents a continuation of the strategic cooperation between (Saudi Arabia and the UK), including the launch of the Skills of the Future initiative at the 2025 HCI conference, focused on advancing economic cooperation, educational exchange, and workforce development.”
The last two HCI conferences attracted over 23,000 participants, featured 550 speakers, and announced 156 partnerships, organizers said.
The HCDP aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, focusing on enhancing citizens’ potential and competitiveness, they added.
