Remote Work Requirements due to Commencement:
Tuesday, November 25: All employees working in Building 16 and the Library are required to work remotely, as these facilities will be closed.
Wednesday, November 26: All employees working on campus are required to work remotely due to extensive event preparations and closures. This includes all labs.
This does not apply to The KAUST School and other community facilities/ buildings such as Olayan building, KRTP, Innovation Cluster, CMOR etc.
Note: Employees affected by these closures do not need to log or submit remote work for these days.
The 2025 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 26, and will be held in person at the Campus Spine, marking a return to the event’s original format and location. Given the scale and significance of this event that is larger and more complex than previous commencements, there will be extensive logistical preparations. To ensure the safe and efficient setup of the 2025 Commencement Ceremony, and to minimize disruption, please note the above remote work requirements and below campus closures and parking restrictions:
Campus closures and parking restrictions
Please note the following closures on November 25 and 26:
- Building 16 and the Library – Closed to all staff and students.
- Building 16 Plaza Area – Closed and reserved for VIPs and BOT members. This will affect access to Buildings 9, 19, and 20. Bus drop-off and pick-up will be relocated to near Building 14 (Innovation Cluster).
- Building 16 Parking (South Garage Level 1) – Closed and reserved for individuals with the event’s Special Pass.
- Building 20 Parking (North Garage Levels 0 & 1) – Closed and reserved for students with the event’s Special Pass.
Please note: Building 16 Parking (South Garage Level 0) will remain open to the public on both days.
Campus Diner
The Campus Diner will remain open during these times, but the easiest access on November 25 and 26 is from the lower part of the spine as shown in the map below.
Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work together to deliver a successful and seamless Commencement experience for our graduates, their families, and the wider KAUST community.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Commencement 2025: It’s nearly time
We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our graduates and welcoming their families and friends to KAUST this week. Below are the essential details for both days of celebration.
Commencement Dinner
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Al Marsa Amphitheatre
Attendance is limited to invited students and pre-registered guests.
Commencement Ceremony
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Location: Discovery Walk (the Spine)
Seating Opens: 2:00 p.m.
Ceremony Begins: 4:00 p.m.
Dress Code: Formal or national dress
Commencement access badges or guest invitations must be presented to access the ceremony.
Members of the KAUST community may also enjoy the ceremony via live screening at Discovery Square and Cinema from 4 p.m. onwards.
Post-Ceremony Reception
Immediately following the ceremony, all attendees are invited to a reception along Discovery Walk, from the Campus Library down to the Building 18 Student Center Plaza.
Enjoy a light buffet, drinks, photo booths, and mementos from the Matjar Gift Shop pop-up and the flower pop-up near Building 18.
For full details on seating, access, parking, shuttle services, lost and found, and food outlet operating hours, please see the comprehensive information below.
Please note: Preparations for the ceremony are ongoing this week on Discovery Walk between the Campus Library and Building 1. Please exercise caution when passing through this area.
COMMENCEMENT 2025: IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Access to the Ceremony
- All guests must present their Commencement invitation card to enter the ceremony.
- All organizers, graduating students, faculty, and volunteers must present their Commencement badge for entrance, and if requested by Security.
- Main pedestrian entry points are at the north end of Discovery Walk, near Building 18 and Building 14. Both locations accommodate guests with reduced mobility.
- Bicycles, e-scooters, skateboards, and similar devices are not allowed on Discovery Walk on November 26.
- Vehicle access is restricted at Gate 6 (near the Administration Building, Bldg. 16) on November 26.
Seating
- Seating opens at 2:00 p.m.
- Participants in the academic procession will be assigned to pre-designated seating.
- All other attendees, including families and guests, will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Seating is outdoors.
Transportation & Parking
Shuttle Services
Commencement Dinner – Tuesday, November 25
Shuttle service to Al Marsa Amphitheatre will begin at 6:00 p.m. and operate throughout the evening.
- Visitor Center – Main Gate (KAUST or Commencement ID required)
- Safaa Stadium
- KAUST Hotel (Al Khozama)
- Tamimi Bus Station
- H-4104 B
- H-4113 A
- Across Harbor Grand Mosque
- KAUST Inn
Commencement Ceremony – Wednesday, November 26
Shuttles to Buildings 18 and 14 will run every 20 minutes starting at 1:30 p.m.
Pickup points:
- Visitor Center
- Safaa Stadium
- Al-Khozama Hotel
- Tamimi Bus Station
- KAUST Inn
- Discovery Square
- Across Harbor Grand Mosque
- H-4104 B
- H-4113 A
Note: Off-campus buses to Jeddah, Makkah, or Medina will not operate for Commencement guests.
Parking
Reserved Parking:
- North Garage (Level 1): Graduating students (access via Gate 10)
- South Garage (Level 1): Leadership, faculty, organizers, and operations teams
Additional Parking:
Visitor Center, Tamimi, Al-Khozama Hotel, Safaa Stadium, and KAUST Inn (with shuttle service available).
We look forward to celebrating this milestone alongside our graduates, their families, faculty, and the entire KAUST community.
Food & Beverage: Special Operating Hours
Wednesday, November 26
To support Commencement attendees, the following outlets will operate with extended or adjusted hours:
Extended Hours
- Burger King: 11:30 p.m.
- Al Marsa: 12:00 a.m.
- Pure: 12:00 a.m.
- Steak Seven: 12:00 a.m.
- Sushi Zen: 12:00 a.m.
- Harbor Club: 12:00 a.m.
- Tamimi (Discovery Square): 11:00 p.m.
- Vera Pizza: 12:00 a.m.
- Tawabil: 12:00 a.m.
- Baytoti & Maki House: 1:00 a.m.
- Saadeddin: 12:00 a.m.
- 10th Hole: 12:00 a.m.
- Ya Hala: 12:00 a.m.
Standard Operating Hours
- Great Wall Bistro: 10:30 p.m.
- KFC: 10:30 p.m.
- Domino’s: 10:30 p.m.
- La Brasserie Restaurant: 10:30 p.m.
- Ed’s Tacos: 10:00 p.m.
- La Cucina: 8:45 p.m.
- Joffrey’s (Spine): 9:00 p.m.
- Baskin-Robbins: 11:00 p.m.
24-Hour Service
- X Bite: 24-hour drive-thru
Commencement Team
commencement@kaust.edu.sa