08 March, 2026
Dear KAUST Community,
I hope you had a restful weekend, despite the ongoing news about regional tensions.
Like me, many of you may have loved ones abroad who are contacting you, concerned about your safety and well-being. That concern is understandable, and I hope you can provide reassurance that KAUST is safe. In the spirit of the strong and diverse community we share, I encourage everyone to look out for their colleagues, friends, and neighbors. In a community as richly diverse as ours, small acts of connection and kindness carry real weight.
Our campus and schools continue to be safe and secure, with no changes to operations. We are monitoring the situation closely and are in regular contact with national authorities. You will continue to be kept informed through official KAUST channels. Please rely only on verified sources and treat unverified information with caution.
Many people in our community are thinking about the situation almost constantly, and it is completely normal to feel unsettled. Please check in on the people around you. A small gesture of care can make a significant difference. And, if you are feeling like you need support, please reach out to a colleague, your line manager, or with KAUST's Well-being Employment Program Lyra: https://app.lyrawellbeing.health/welcome/intro-slides
Log-in code: KAUSTXICAS
For those of you who teach or supervise students, please be aware that a message is being sent directly to them from Professor Arwa Yousuf Al-Aama, Vice President for Education & Advancement, directing them to student support services and FAQs, which are now on the website.
I know that travel plans over Eid are on many of your minds right now. It’s on my mind, too.
Personal travel, inside or outside the Kingdom, remains at your discretion. If flights are operating and no official restrictions affect your route, you are free to travel. Please check with your airline before you depart and stay alert to any changes. Flights in and out of Jeddah continue to operate, although some routes and schedules are experiencing delays or congestion. If your return to KAUST is disrupted, follow your airline's guidance to rebook, keep your line manager and HR informed, and refer to the FAQs for advice on leave and remote work arrangements.
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.
For faculty with keynote speaking commitments at national and international conferences or events, you may make your business case for attendance to your dean for review and approval. Business travel remains paused for students and staff.
If you have not already done so, 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 staff can do so via the STEP program at https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step. I have registered myself and Melissa with Australia's https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/. I encourage staff from other countries to check and register with their government's equivalent.
For further information, guidance, and support, please visit our emergency website and review the FAQs at https://emergency.kaust.edu.sa/faqs. These are updated regularly and cover the questions we are hearing most from across the community. Please also ensure you have downloaded the KAUSTCentral app and enabled emergency notifications.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
Sir Edward Byrne AC FMedSci
President, KAUST