Commencement 2014

Friday, December 12, 2014
7:45 – 9:30 p.m.
Discovery Walk, between Al-Khawarizmi (building 1) and the University Library
Dress Code is Formal or national dress

We are excited to welcome families and distinguished guests to share in the celebration of the 2014 Commencement.

Commencement is more than a conferral of degrees – it is a celebration of the accomplishments of our graduates shared by the whole KAUST community.

Ceremony speakers this year include student speaker Shamael A. Al-Shuhail (M.S. ’14) and our distinguished guest speaker, Stanford President John Hennessy.

The entire KAUST community is invited to attend this event. Only a KAUST ID is required to enter the ceremony site and to be seated. A reserved section for families of the graduates will be available and these guests must show their invitation for entry.

Additional seating is provided in front of the Student Center (building 18) to watch the event from a live feed playing on the large screen.

For any inquiries about the event, please contact commencement@kaust.edu.sa.

We hope you will join us for the Commencement celebrations, as we celebrate the Class of 2014.

Show your KAUST pride! Include #KAUSTclass2014 when you tweet about the event!

Commencement Ceremony Details – December 12, 2014

Seating for the Ceremony:

• Commencement seating will start at 6:00 p.m. and everyone is expected to be seated by 7:30 p.m.
• People participating in the Academic Processional and Ceremony will be seated in designated areas. For all other attendees, including family members and guests, seating will be on a first come, first served basis
• The seating is outdoors, so please be sure to wear appropriate attire

Access to Ceremony Site:

• All guests will be required to present their KAUST ID or Commencement ID ready for presentation if requested by members of Security Services
• The main pedestrian entrance to the Ceremony Area will be pedestrian access at the north end of the Discovery Walk (spine), near the Student Center (building 18). The entrance on level 0, across from Discovery Square, will be open to allow entry for guests with reduced mobility
• Vehicle access is restricted at the Main Gate (gate 6 – facing the Administration Building) between 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. to guests with permission to enter campus
• There will be limited access to the Discovery Walk area between Al-Jazri (building 4) and Al-Khawarizmi (building 1) during the ceremony. Please see map for alternate route

Parking:

• Parking is available for staff, students, and Commencement visitors at the North Garage, which can be accessed by the campus gate 10 (gate facing the residential area near Discovery Square)
• Parking is also available at Tamimi supermarket
• Parking of bicycles, scooters, or motorcycles is not allowed near the Commencement area and the University Library

Shuttle Service:

• Commencement shuttle service will be operating between the Visitor Center (main visitor gate) and the Student Center (building 18) between 3:00 – 11:00 p.m. and will loop every 30 minutes
• Commencement shuttle buses will transport people from Tamimi to the Student Center and back between 3:00 – 11:00 p.m. (guests will be required to provide valid KAUST or Commencement ID). The shuttle will loop every 15 minutes
• The regular shuttle bus service to the Administration Building (building 16) will be suspended from 3:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Special Operating Hours:

• Limited access to Al-Khawarizmi Building (building 1) / academic buildings
• Campus Diner will be closed from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.