We are very much looking forward to celebrating our graduates’ achievements and welcoming their friends and family to KAUST this week.
Here are the key points for the two days of celebration:
Commencement Reception
The Commencement Reception is on Thursday, December 14, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. at the Al Marsa Amphitheatre. Only registered, invited students and guests may attend the reception. The Amphitheatre will be closed from Wednesday, December 13.
Commencement Ceremony
The ceremony takes place on Building 20, KAUST Auditorium followed by Reception celebration on Discovery Walk, Friday, December 15, 2023. Discovery Walk will be closed on Friday, December 15.
The dress code is formal or national dress.
The entire KAUST community is cordially invited to attend virtually by watching the live stream at Discovery Square or on YouTube at these times:
(4:00-5:00 p.m.) Plenary Ceremony
(5:30-6:15 p.m.) BESE Ceremony
(6:45-7:30 p.m.) CEMSE Ceremony
(8:00-8:45 p.m.) PSE Ceremony
After the Ceremony, invited attendees will join the Reception Celebration on Discovery Walk from Building 1 down to Building 4. Light food stations will be in multiple locations. There will be Saudi live music. The Office of the Arts Boutique and the Matjar Pop-Up Store will be open, as will photo booths to capture memories of the evening.
Preparatory work for the Commencement ceremony is ongoing in the Discovery Walk area this week, between Building 1. and Building 4 – please use caution when passing through this area.
KAUST looks forward to welcoming our commencing students and their families, faculty, guests, the KAUST community and volunteers for Commencement 2023.
Commencement 2023 important information
Access to ceremony site:
- All guests will be required to present their KAUST ID or Commencement badges/invitation cards if requested by members of Security Services.
- The assembly point for the invited families and guests will be Building 9 and the the assembly point between Building 19 – 20 will be open to ease access for guests with reduced mobility.
- The main pedestrian entrance to the ceremony area will be Building 20.
- Bicycles, e-scooters, skateboards etc. are not permitted anywhere on Building 9, 19, 20 and Discovery Walk on Friday, December 15.
- Vehicle access is restricted at Gate 6 (facing the Administration Building, Bldg.16) on Friday, December 15.
Special operating hours:
- The Campus Diner will be open for normal operations on December 14 and 15. Al Marsa Restaurant will be opened December 14 and 15.
- Campus, Discovery Square and Harbor Walk outlets will operate extended hours on Friday, December 15 as follows:
- Burger King 12:00 a.m.
- KFC 11:00 a.m.
- Tamimi (Discovery Square) 11:00 a.m.
- Vera 1:00 a.m.
- Tawabil 1:00 a.m.
- Dominos 10:30 a.m.
- Medd Cafe DS: 12:00 a.m.
- Joffreys 12:00 a.m.
- The Great American Bagel and Dias Café 12:30 a.m.
- Ya Hala: close at 12:00 a.m.
- Baskin-Robbins 11:00 a.m.
- Halwani 11:00 p.m.
Shuttle service to the Commencement Reception, December 14:
Parking is very limited at Al Marsa, please use the shuttle buses. Shuttles will run between the Visitor Centre and Al Marsa from 6:00 p.m. to 11:18 p.m., every 10 minutes from the following stops:
- Stop 1: Visitor Center – Main Gate (Guests will be required to provide valid KAUST or Commencement ID)
- Stop 2: Safaa Stadium
- Stop 3 The KAUST Hotel (Al Khozama)
- Stop 4: Tamimi Bus Station
- Stop 5: Commencement Recitation Ceremony, the Yacht Club
Shuttles will run in reverse order from Al Marsa to the Visitor Center, every ten minutes from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.
Shuttle Service to the Commencement Ceremony, December 15:
Shuttles will run to Building 9 between 3:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m., every 10 minutes from the following stops:
- Stop 1: Visitor Center – Main Gate (Guests will be required to provide valid KAUST or Commencement ID.)
- Stop 2: Harbor
Shuttles will run in reverse order, via all the stops from Building 9 to the Visitor Centre, every ten minutes from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Note: Travel on off-campus buses to Jeddah/Makkah/Medina is not open to Commencement guests.
Parking
Parking is available for staff, students, and Commencement visitors in the following locations:
- North Garage (adjacent to Bldg. 20), Level 0 and 1 – access via Gate 10, at the junction of Hope Avenue and Unity Boulevard, pedestrian bridge access between Bldgs. 4 and 5)
- South Garage – (under Bldgs. 9 and 16), Level 1 – access for leadership, VP, faculty, and operational team only.
- Drop off zone only Between 19-20 for VIPs and people with limited mobility
- Additional parking is available at Tamimi Supermarket and opposite the KAUST Inn, with shuttle buses at ten minute intervals to the Commencement ceremony area as detailed above
Additional information
- Lost and found stations will be in the Campus Library. Any items found and not claimed on the night will be taken to Housing Services Reception in Discovery Square.
- Water stations will be located around the Commencement ceremony and Reception areas. Please bring a reusable water bottle with you.
Commencement Team
Please contact commencement@kaust.edu.sa for any further information.