What if the future of materials started as a powder? Enabled through KAUST’s National Transformation Institute (NTI), Plastic Diamond is creating a new class of ultra-light, ultra-strong materials for tomorrow’s industries. Made possible by KAUST. kaust.link/PlasticDiamonds-X…

Applications for the Ibn Rushd Postdoctoral Fellowship close on October 15. Find eligibility details and apply here: ibnrushd.kaust.edu.sa

New reports reveal KAUST generates US$5.6 billion in economic value for Saudi Arabia each year, including 28,800 jobs and US$2.2 billion direct to GDP. Explore more: kaust.link/Impact-report-X

What happens in the Pacific can reach the Red Sea. A KAUST-led study finds that El Niño-Southern Oscillation drives major year-to-year changes in Red Sea surface salinity, with the strongest influences in October. The findings shed light on how distant climate patterns can shape Red Sea conditions, with implications for marine ecosystems and coral reef conservation. Read the full story disc.kaust.link/10rYU

At KAUST, the Future Cement Initiative brought together senior leaders from all 16 Saudi cement companies and global industry partners to advance AI-driven, cleaner cement production — including a signing ceremony for a centralized carbon footprint tool. The conference also recognized Jamilah Al-Hawiti, Nadeen Al-Shubiny (first Saudi women CCR kiln operators) and X-Ray Chemist Zohor Al-Hawiti.

Saudi Arabia’s cement sector is gathering at KAUST. The Future Cement Initiative (FCI), a KAUST-led national platform, brings together senior leaders from all 16 Saudi cement companies alongside global industry and technology experts to advance the sector’s transition toward cleaner, smarter production and net zero.

World-class research begins with world-class collaboration. Hear how Abdulrahman Aljurbua gained international research experience, built lasting global connections and brought new perspectives back to the Kingdom through the KAUST Ibn Rushd Postdoctoral Fellowship. Applications for 2026 are now open: kaust.link/-6XT

Lead your independent research. Create global impact.​ Designed for exceptional early-career researchers, KAUST Global Fellowship offers the opportunity to pursue independent research in areas aligned with global priorities, including Health, Water, Energy, Food Security, AI, and Marine Science.​ Register your interest: kgfp.kaust.edu.sa/

Industrial gas separation uses ~15% of global energy. KAUST researchers, with collaborators in China and France, built a new MOF-based membrane that could support carbon capture and hydrogen purification, and, for the first time, made it manufacturable at industrial scale. Learn more: kaust.news/-Lf3

Most cancer tissue samples are prepared using chemical dyes before analysis. KAUST researchers have developed a stain-free alternative that produced the same diagnostic conclusions as conventional pathology methods in almost all cases, while reducing preparation time. kaust.news/xNC_

KAUST researchers have developed a solar panel coating that enables passive cleaning using naturally occurring temperature changes between day and night, with no additional water or energy input. Read the full findings: kaust.news/x5CI

Researchers at KAUST and @aramco achieved record performance in converting CO₂ into jet-fuel-range hydrocarbons using AI-guided catalyst design. The catalyst operated for more than 1,000 hours, highlighting the potential of machine learning to accelerate lower-carbon fuel innovation. kaust.news/w_bC

At the FLEET Consortium Annual Meeting 2026, KAUST joined industry and government partners to reflect on five years of collaborative innovation and highlight selected FLEET 5.0 research initiatives focused on hydrogen, fuel cells, carbon capture, and maritime efficiency. Since 2021, FLEET has delivered 36 industry-driven R&D projects advancing sustainable transport technologies aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

On International Day for Women in Maritime, we celebrate the women advancing ocean exploration and discovery. KAUST Professor Froukje van der Zwan descended 2,000 meters into the Red Sea to support groundbreaking deep-sea research exploring volcanic activity and rare underwater ecosystems. Her work reflects the vital role women continue to play in shaping the future of maritime science.

The Vision 2030 Annual Report 2025 reflects the depth and breadth of Saudi Arabia's national transformation. KAUST is honored to contribute to the delivery of the Kingdom's ambitions, and reaffirms its commitment to working alongside government, industry, and global partners to advance science and technology in service of this vision.

Realize your potential at KAUST. Saudi Arabia's research and technology university. Learn from world-leading faculty and access cutting-edge labs on our international campus on the Red Sea. Fully funded Master's & PhD programs.

A new pathway for carbon storage in water-scarce regions. KAUST researchers demonstrate how CO₂ can be converted into solid rock underground using recycled subsurface water, enabling permanent storage without freshwater. Read more: kaust.news/uR2Y