THUWAL: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology will host the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit in 2025.

It will be first time the summit is held in the Middle East, recognizing the significant contributions of the Kingdom and KAUST to the global academic community.

Scheduled for Oct. 7-9 next year, the three-day summit will be held under the theme “Universities as Agents of Progress.”

This focus aligns with the transformative dynamics underpinning Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, with KAUST playing a pivotal role in driving progress not only within the Kingdom, but also on a global scale.

The host announcement was made by Prof. Edward Byrne, president of KAUST, during his closing remarks at this year’s World Academic Summit hosted by the University of Manchester.

“We are honored to welcome global leaders in higher education to KAUST for this prestigious summit, which routinely strengthens the cooperative spirit within academia, focusing on making strategic, impactful contributions to global challenges,” Byrne said.

“Building on the success of this year’s event, we will continue the tradition of cultivating collaboration and driving global change. This milestone underscores the rising recognition of the role that Saudi Arabia can play in building a future for higher education where universities worldwide understand their potential influence for good,” he added.

In alignment with KAUST’s commitment to cultural engagement and as a demonstration of Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, the summit will offer a variety of activities that highlight the Kingdom’s natural beauty and cultural depth.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the Red Sea through snorkeling and diving excursions, experience heritage tours of Jeddah and visit transformative projects like NEOM.

Phil Baty, chief global affairs officer of Times Higher Education, said: “The 2025 World Academic Summit will bring together leaders in higher education to engage with the industry’s most pressing issues.

“Together, the community will explore opportunities for innovation and commercialization, outline strategies to shape the next generation of leaders and collaborate to make a meaningful impact on lives around the world.”