Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community members  

As you know, tensions across the region remain elevated, and airports continue to experience disruptions. Against this backdrop, the safety and wellbeing of our community remain my highest priority.  

With this in mind, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily pause all international and domestic University business travel, including field trips.  

I recognize the impact this decision will have. At the recent Faculty Town Hall and Academic Council meetings, I heard clearly how important travel is to your research, studies, and work. For some, this will mean postponing conferences, collaborations, or fieldwork that you have spent months preparing for.  

This pause is temporary and will be reviewed regularly as circumstances evolve. Executive Vice President Samer Samman will also share an operational update with more detailed guidance. 

I am aware that many of you may be hosting guests and visitors in the coming weeks. We continue to welcome visitors to KAUST, but ask that they check their home country's advice before traveling. Where travel is permitted, please make visitors aware of potential airport disruptions that could affect their journeys to and from the Kingdom. I also encourage you to offer virtual participation wherever possible. 

Personal travel remains your choice. If you do travel, please plan with care and check your flight status with your airline before leaving for the airport. 

I know this is an unsettling time, and I understand this may be worrying for you, and for your families and friends who you are separated from. My wife Melissa and I see the care and kindness you show one another every day, both at work and across campus. Please continue to look out for one another, and know that your safety and wellbeing remain at the heart of our decisions. 

Warm regards, 

Sir Edward Byrne AC FMedSci 
President, KAUST