19 September, 2026
Dear colleagues, students, and community members,
Thank you for the calm and cooperation you continue to show in helping keep our campus safe. As part of our ongoing work on campus safety and preparedness, and as we look to the week ahead, we are sharing a brief update to ensure everyone has clear and consistent information on the measures in place.
Keeping our community safe
Let me begin by reiterating that the safety and well-being of every member of our community is our highest priority, and that will not change. Our Security team is coordinating closely with the relevant national authorities to keep our campus safe and our operations running normally. They are keeping the Emergency Management team updated, and we are prepared to adjust if that becomes necessary. If anything changes that affects our community, we will tell you promptly through our official channels: email, KAUSTCentral, The Lens, and emergency.kaust.edu.sa.
Where to seek information
If the periodic notifications we have received via our phone networks continue, I ask that we follow the official advice and treat them as a sign that the authorities are working to keep citizens and residents safe, rather than as a cause for alarm. They tell us that the systems built to protect us are working, and that we are being kept informed.
Some of you have asked what to do if a shelter-in-place alert is issued, and how that applies as we go about our daily lives. We have updated information about this on the FAQs section at emergency.kaust.edu.sa.
Please be reminded that the KAUSTCentral app also holds the Emergency Action Guide for specific incidents, a linked "Useful Contact List" with tap-to-call numbers, and an Emergency Kit checklist.
I am aware that people are seeking information from many news outlets and through talking to one another. This is understandable; however, I would urge you to only seek your information from official and verified sources. That means Saudi government announcements, your own government's travel advisories, and official KAUST communications. Unverified reports and informal messaging create confusion and unnecessary anxiety.
Travel
Jeddah airport is operating normally, as I saw for myself when I flew in last night, and new students, staff and their families have continued to arrive on schedule. Please join me in welcoming our newest community members. Many are settling into a new country as well as a new campus, and a reassuring word from a neighbor or colleague counts for a great deal.
If you are traveling for business or personal reasons, check your flight status with your airline before you leave for the airport and follow their guidance. International staff and students may also wish to check the advice of their home embassy.
Support and well-being
Please check in on those around you, and if you need support, speak to someone or use our services:
Students: the counseling team at scs@kaust.edu.sa, who can also connect you with ICAS, a confidential independent service. The Student Helpdesk can point you to the right support: schelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa or +966 12 808 3412
The weeks ahead
I encourage everyone to take part in campus life and community events, especially the National Day activities. Life in the Kingdom and here at KAUST is continuing as normal, and that is worth celebrating.
This is a busy time of year. The new school and academic year are underway, and there is a great deal ahead of us, with several important developments taking shape across the University. I encourage you to stay focused on that work.
I am grateful for this community and for the steadiness it continues to show.
Samer Samman
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP and COO)