We are excited to celebrate the achievements of our graduating students alongside their friends, families and the KAUST community. Below are the key details for this year’s two-day celebration.
Commencement Dinner
- Date and time: Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Al Marsa Amphitheatre
- Access: By invitation only
Note: The Amphitheatre will be closed starting Tuesday, December 10, for preparations
Commencement ceremony
- Date and time: Friday, December 13, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
- Location: KAUST Auditorium (Building 20), followed by a reception at Discovery Walk (Spine area)
- Access: By invitation only
- Live Stream: The entire KAUST community is cordially invited to attend virtually by watching the live stream at Discovery Square or YouTube
Ceremony schedule
- 5:00–6:00 p.m. BESE ceremony
- 6:30–7:30 p.m. CEMSE ceremony
- 8:00–9:00 p.m. PSE ceremony
Important preparations and access guidelines
Preparatory work
Construction and setup will be ongoing in the Discovery Walk (spine area) between Buildings 1 and 4. Please use caution when passing through these areas.
Access to ceremony site
- All guests must carry their Commencement invitation cards, which may be checked by Security Services.
- Guests with reduced mobility will receive support at Building 19 for easier access.
- Main pedestrian entrance: Building 20.
Restrictions
- On Friday, December 13, bicycles, e-scooters and skateboards are not allowed in Buildings 19 and 20 or the Discovery Walk area.
- Vehicle access at Gate 6 (near Building 16) will be restricted on the day of the ceremony.
Special operating hours (Friday, December 13)
Several campus outlets will operate extended hours to accommodate Commencement attendees:
- Burger King: 12:30 a.m.
- KFC: 11:00 p.m.
- Tamimi (Discovery Square): 11:00 p.m.
- Verra: 1:00 a.m.
- Tawabil: 1:00 a.m.
- Dominos: 10:30 p.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: closes at 12:00 a.m.
- Baskin-Robbins: 11:00 p.m.
- Halwani: 11:00 p.m.
- Baytoti and Maki House: 1:00 a.m.
Transportation and parking
Shuttle Services
Commencement Dinner (Thursday, December 12): Shuttle buses will run between the following stops and Al Marsa:
1. Visitor Center – Main Gate (KAUST or Commencement ID required)
2. Safaa Stadium
3. KAUST Hotel (Al Khozama)
4. Tamimi Bus Station
5. KAUST Inn
Commencement Ceremony (Friday, December 13): Shuttles to Building 19 will run every 10 minutes starting at 3:00 p.m. from these locations:
1. Visitor Center
2. Safaa Stadium
3. Al-Khozama Hotel
4. Tamimi Bus Station
5. KAUST Inn
6. Discovery Square
7. Across Harbor Grand Mosque
Note: Off-campus buses to Jeddah, Makkah, or Medina are not available to Commencement guests.
Parking
Parking for staff, students, and guests is available at:
- North Garage: Level 0 and 1 (access via Gate 10).
- South Garage: Level 1 (restricted to leadership, faculty, and operations teams).
- Additional parking: Visitor Center, Tamimi Supermarket, Al-Khozama Hotel, Safaa Stadium, and near KAUST Inn (with shuttle services to Building 19).
We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our students, families, faculty, and the KAUST community.
Commencement Team
commencement@kaust.edu.sa