Friday, December 18, 2015
7:45 to 9:30 p.m.
Discovery Walk, between Al-Khawarizmi (bldg. 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 Commencement 2015.
Ceremony speakers this year include our student speaker Mohammed Y. Alnassar, a Ph.D. candidate in electrical engineering and our distinguished guest speaker Lubna S. Olayan, chief executive officer and deputy chairman of Olayan Financing Company (OFC) and a founding member of KAUST’s Board of Trustees.
The entire KAUST community is invited to attend this event. A KAUST ID is required to enter the ceremony site.
Show your KAUST pride! Include #KAUSTclass2015 when you tweet about the event!
We hope you will join us for the Commencement celebrations as we celebrate the Class of 2015.
Commencement Ceremony Details
Seating for the ceremony:
- Seating of attendees will start at 6:00 p.m. with everyone expected to be seated by 7:30 p.m.
- Those 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, near the Student Center (bldg. 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 (bldg. 16) between 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. to those guests with permission to enter campus
- There will be limited access to the Discovery Walk area between Al-Jazri (bldg. 4) and Al-Khawarizmi (bldg. 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 dinner shuttles
- Commencement shuttle buses will be operating between the Visitor Center (main visitor gate) and the Student Center (building 18) between 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. A reverse route shuttle will run from Al-Marsa Restaurant to the Visitor Center from 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. (guests will be required to provide valid KAUST or Commencement ID). The shuttle will loop every 17 minutes.
Commencement ceremony shuttles
- Commencement shuttle buses will be operating between the Visitor Center (main visitor gate) and the Student Center (building 18) between 3:00 – 11:00 p.m. (guests will be required to provide valid KAUST or Commencement ID). The shuttle will loop every 17 minutes.
- The regular shuttle bus service to the Administration Building (bldg. 16) will be suspended from 3:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Special notes
- There will be no shuttle bus service to the Administration Building (bldg. 16) from 3:00 – 10:00 p.m. on December 18.
- From December 17 to 19, there will be complimentary buses to the King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) North and South terminals for KAUST residents.
- Eight additional drivers and cars plus one to two dedicated SUV’s will be added to the transportation operation to support the heavy demand during Commencement week.
Special operating hours:
- Limited access to Al-Khawarizmi (bldg. 1) / academic buildings.
- The Campus Diner will be closed from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.