Kaust, Research center near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Kaust is a graduate research university and research center located near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the shore of the Red Sea. The campus features modern laboratory buildings, open green spaces, libraries, and research facilities focused on areas such as energy, water, and the environment.
Kaust was founded in 2009 at the initiative of King Abdullah, who wanted to establish a place where science and technology could grow in Saudi Arabia. In the years that followed, it quickly gained recognition as a research institution with an international reach.
The campus of Kaust brings together researchers and students from dozens of countries who work side by side every day. This mix of backgrounds shapes the daily rhythm of the place, visible in shared outdoor areas, common rooms, and collaborative labs.
The campus sits outside the center of Jeddah and is easiest to reach by car. Visiting requires some advance planning, as access to certain areas may be restricted to authorized personnel.
Kaust is home to one of the most powerful supercomputers in the Middle East, known as Shaheen, which researchers use for large-scale simulations and data analysis. Its position on the Red Sea shore also gives marine scientists direct access to one of the world's most studied coral reef systems.
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