Dear KAUST Students, 

I'm reaching out to you personally, given the current regional situation. With students from over 100 countries, I know that many of you will have loved ones abroad who are contacting you, worried about your safety, and that this may feel understandably unsettling, as they are far away and unaware of how safe we are. Please know that you are not alone, and that looking out for one another is at the heart of who we are as a community. 

KAUST remains safe 

KAUST is an extremely safe and secure place to live and study. Campus life and academic operations are continuing entirely as normal. Your safety and security are our number one priority, and we are in 24/7 contact with national authorities. Please feel free to share this message with family or friends who are checking in on you. 

Your well-being matters 

If you feel you need support or someone to talk to, please reach out to a friend, a colleague, or to us. Our counselling team is at scs@kaust.edu.sa, and can also connect you with ICAS, a confidential independent service. The Student Helpdesk can direct you to support should you need it: schelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa or +966 12 808 3412. 

Travel guidance 

As we approach Eid, I know travel is on many of your minds. Personal travel, inside or outside the Kingdom, is at your discretion. If flights are operating and no official restrictions apply, you should feel free to do so. Please check with your airline carrier before leaving. Flights in and out of Jeddah continue to operate, although some routes and schedules are experiencing delays or congestion. If your return flight to the Kingdom is disrupted, follow your airline's advice, update your GPSA and PI, and reach out to the Registrar's Office at registrarhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa with any questions about leave or stipends.  

For those spending the break on campus, whether planned or due to cancelled travel plans, I hope you will embrace the opportunity. KAUST is a truly special place, and Jeddah and the surrounding region offer much to see and do. Restaurants, beaches, sporting matches, the historic streets of Al-Balad, and the Red Sea are all open and welcoming as normal. In my experience, sometimes the holiday you did not plan is the one you remember most fondly. 

Business travel remains paused for students. 

Register with your government 

If you haven't already, please register with your government's travel advisory service. These services allow embassies to communicate directly with their citizens during periods of regional tension or travel disruption. For example, US students can do so at https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step; UK students can do so at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/email-signup. Students from other countries should check the equivalent in their own government. 

Information and other key contacts 

FAQs can be accessed at emergency.kaust.edu.sa/faqs. I encourage you to visit the site regularly.   

Student 24/7 travel emergency:  +966 54 470 1348

Student Helpdesk: schelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa or +966 (0) 12 808 3412

Registrar Helpdesk: registrarhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa

HR Helpdesk: hrhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa | +966 (0) 12 808 2055

HR 24/7 Mobile: +966 54 470 0277

Government Affairs Emergency Hotline (24/7): +966 54 470 1111

Professor Arwa Yousuf Al-Aama 
Vice President for Education & Advancement