Dear KAUST Community,  

As we watch developments across the country and region, we want to begin with what matters most: KAUST is safe. Our campus is in a secure part of the Kingdom, and there is currently no specific threat to our community. Life and campus operations, including University classes and the KAUST School, continue as normal.   

We understand that many of you may be feeling concerned, and we recognize that the vast amount of information being broadcast and shared can make it challenging to maintain perspective. We would encourage you to seek information only from official and verified sources, including Saudi government announcements, your own government's travel advisories, and official KAUST communications. Unverified reports and informal messaging can create confusion and unnecessary anxiety.  

For those of you commuting from Jeddah, you will have noticed increased security at the gate. This aligns with the national authority's guidance; it is not an escalation of the campus's security status; it is a precautionary measure. Access to the community and out of the community remains safe, and all commuter buses are operating normally.  

To ensure you have access to the latest guidance and resources, we have published a comprehensive set of FAQs on the Emergency Management website, including travel advice, which is important to read, particularly as we approach the Eid break. The FAQs can be accessed at emergency.kaust.edu.sa/faqs. The website is now also accessible without the KAUST VPN, meaning you can reach it from anywhere, at any time. This website will be updated as the situation evolves, and we encourage you to visit the site regularly.   

The safety and well-being of every member of our community remains our highest priority, and that will never change. Please be assured that we are monitoring the situation closely and, should circumstances change, we are well prepared to respond. 

Should anything change that affects our community, we will communicate promptly through the official communication channels, which include email, KAUST Central, The Lens, and emergency.kaust.edu.sa.

Sir Edward Byrne AC FMedSci 
President, KAUST