Empowering our neighbors

Anyone travelling along King Abdullah Boulevard recently will have noticed the striking images adorning the temporary construction walls.  If you are not familiar with the social responsibility work that KAUST does, then these photographs along the way are a really good place to start.

Each picture captures an achievement – the result of hard work and dedication of KAUST staff and community members that volunteer with projects created by Saudi Affairs’ Social Responsibility department to share their unique range of skills, talents and knowledge with our neighboring communities.

The young people in the photographs are local pupils enrolled in KAUST Young Learners Development Program. They participate in fascinating science workshops, join inspiring events at WEP, discover the biodiversity of KAUST and the Red Sea. In short, these students represent the next generation of Saudi talent and identifying and supporting them at an early age ensures they maximize their chance of achieving their potential.

As part of our Prosperity program, we encourage women to expand their employability by attending vocational training and self-improvement courses, to eventually set up their own businesses. Other photographs show Environmental projects uniting KAUST and Thuwal people in celebrating the beauty of our coastline by doing a beach clean and corniche refurbishment.

While a picture may speak 1,000 words, to demonstrate the impact that KAUST volunteers have had on the local community, numbers are far more direct.

• 11,600 local community residents engaged
• 6,500 young learners inspired
• 100 life enhancing initiatives delivered
• All by 1,900 volunteers that have given time, inspiration and energy

Opening the doors and hearts of KAUST, connecting our communities, broadens the minds of all involved.   By igniting the awareness of possibilities, we can spark the drive and determination to keep up with and be part of the country’s energizing transformation and national development.

These photographs are just a taster of the social responsibility work undertaken by KAUST.  Now that you know what these photographs represent, perhaps you are inspired to be part of it.  For more information on current projects, how you can share your skills and be part of something exciting, please visit the Social Responsibility website.