King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia’s leading science and technology education and research institution, will host Times Higher Education’s flagship event, the THE World Academic Summit, in 2025.
This will mark the first time that THE’s global academic event is hosted in the Middle East, in recognition of Saudi Arabia and KAUST’s status as a global leader in innovation and applied science.
The event will take place on 7-9 October 2025 and will focus on the theme of “Universities as agents of change”. This theme encompasses the role of universities as active drivers of progress in innovation and economic development; regional collaboration; cultural preservation and transformation; and sustainable development.
Agenda themes:
- Universities as drivers of innovation and economic development: By linking academic research with industry needs, universities propel technological advancement, job creation and sustainable development worldwide. The summit will explore the critical role that higher education institutions play in nurturing innovation ecosystems, supporting entrepreneurship and promoting regional economic growth.
- Universities as agents of regional collaboration: By leveraging academic expertise and resources, universities act as key facilitators of regional development, promoting inclusive growth and cross-sectoral innovation. The summit will examine how higher education institutions cultivate partnerships with local governments, businesses and communities to address regional challenges and drive socio-economic progress.
- Universities as catalysts for cultural preservation and transformation By integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary perspectives, universities contribute to both the preservation of cultural identities and the transformative processes that shape modern societies. The summit will highlight the role of higher education institutions in safeguarding cultural heritage while promoting cultural innovation and diversity.
- Universities as champions of sustainable development: Universities play a pivotal role in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and equipping students with the skills needed for a sustainable future. The summit will explore how higher education institutions lead efforts to address global sustainability challenges through research, education, upscaling innovation and community engagement.
The 2026 edition of the THE World University Rankings, recognised as the world’s most comprehensive evaluation of university performance, will be revealed at the summit. This will be accompanied by an in-depth data masterclass featuring detailed analysis and insight into the key findings, trends and stories from the data. The rankings assess institutions across five key areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook.
The event announcement was made on 9 October by new KAUST president, Sir Edward Byrne, in his closing remarks at the THE World Academic Summit 2024, hosted by the University of Manchester.
“We are honoured to welcome global leaders in higher education to KAUST for this prestigious summit, which routinely strengthens the cooperative spirit within academia, focusing on making strategic, impactful contributions to global challenges,” said Sir Edward.
“Building on the success of this year’s event, we will continue the tradition of cultivating collaboration and driving global change. This milestone underscores the rising recognition of the role that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can play in building a future for higher education where universities worldwide understand their potential influence for good.”
Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer, added: “The THE World Academic Summit 2025 will bring together leaders in higher education to engage with the industry’s most pressing issues. Together, the community will explore opportunities for innovation and commercialisation, outline strategies to shape the next generation of leaders and collaborate to make a meaningful impact on lives around the world.”
Sir Edward Byrne, president of KAUST (left), and Phil Baty, chief global affairs officer of THE (right), shaking hands at the THE World Academic Summit 2024.
The event website features information about the event themes and a sign-up form to be kept informed of updates including ticket sales, agenda reveals and speaker announcements.
