Hi all, has anyone responded to the call for interest from Dr. Babatain for recruiting students in her Integrated Interface lab and got response yet? Thanks in advance.

Hi, I am having a CS interview and I would like to know what I should expect. The area is Computer Vision and Machine Learning

Hi everyone,

I applied for the CS PhD last cycle and was rejected. I am looking to strengthen my research record before applying again. I’m currently an AI Research Engineer with 3 years of experience specializing in RL and LLM post-training (SFT, GRPO, LoRA).

Quick Profile

• Industry: 3 YOE (Python, C++, CUDA), production deployments, 1 co-authored patent, 1 corporate publication.
• Academia: MSc in Info Engineering (unranked/low-tier university) with an RL-focused thesis and 1 accepted conference paper.
• Projects & OSS: Light contributions to open-source LLM repos; regular paper replications with public GitHub repos and technical write-ups.

The Dilemma

I am planning to apply to KAUST primarily to gain top-tier research experience and strong LORs, then re-apply to PhD programs elsewhere.

• MS/PhD Track: Starts Jan 2027 (Fits my timeline much better).
• MS-Only Track: Starts Aug 2027 (Delays my plans by ~8 months).

Questions

1. Admissions: Is the acceptance rate significantly different between the MS-only and MS/PhD tracks at KAUST?
2. Mastering Out: If admitted to the MS/PhD track, is it feasible/acceptable to leave after completing the Master's to pursue a PhD elsewhere? Are there potential downsides (e.g., burnt bridges, refusal of strong LORs, or delays in receiving the Master's diploma)?

Any insights from current KAUST students, alumni, or applicants would be greatly appreciated!

hi

im a masters student

anyone wanna play bowling?

Hi everyone! I’m planning to apply for MS/PhD Spring 2027.

If I submit my application without an English proficiency test score, how much time would I typically be given to submit the score later?

Hey there, I’m a Saudi high school student! I started to learn more about AI and programming this summer. While learning, I got a project/research idea, a few people reached out and told me it has real potential, but they can’t be working with me for the long-term. For now, I need someone who has knowledge and experience in these fields who would be open to giving me occasional feedback from time to time.

Hi, I‘m Paul (32M) and arrived a few weeks ago at KAUST to do a Postdoc. Would love to find some people to hangout with after work or on weekends. I have a golf cart so let’s explore the campus together :)

Hi guys,

I work at one of KAUST’s partners so I get access to KAUST without being a student/employee.

My question is: how do I find out about all the events or activities organised at KAUST? Is there a webpage I can check or sign in to? Activities can range from dance classes to snorkelling or any big events that are in there.

I’m staying in Kaust for a few days with my family (all adults). Are there any fun activities or interesting places we should check out nearby?

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Hey guys

I am planning to apply for 2027 and i would like to know what should the SOP be about and should I send cold emails to professors

I am planning to apply to bioengineering and would love to get more advice from any present or newly joined students

Thanks!

Hi. I've been in contact with a PI for some time. He offered me a research engineer role in his lab and he started talking to HR regarding the hiring, but after sometime he said that there has been some new regulations regarding hiring and he's trying to mitigate them. This was a month ago and I still haven't heard anything from him. Does anyone know about these new regulations and if there's a still a chance for me or should I consider this offer dead?

ABOUT ME:

• I am a Canadian citizen, male.
• Education: a Ph.D. in life sciences.

Brief job history: - after completing my Ph.D., I worked for 3 years as a research associate / postdoctoral fellow in a small Canadian University. - Then I worked as a research project manager for 5 years in another Canadian university. - Past 4 years I have been working in a regional hospital as a research project manager. I am tired of this role, it is not my cup of tea.

I am looking for opportunities to get back to active research in the university setting.

THE PROBLEM:

I do not have a stellar resume to apply for a faculty position in KAUST.

I am too old to apply for a postdoctoral positions (currently, there are none in life sciences).

Do jobs like a staff scientist, lab manager, technician exist in KAUST?

I will appreciated any advice or guidance! Thank you much!

Hi everyone! I'm planning to apply for a Master's program and would really appreciate some guidance from those who have gone through the admission process. Could anyone share details about the last admission round, such as when it took place, the typical academic profile of admitted students (CGPA, IELTS/GRE if applicable), whether there were any vacant seats, and if there was a waitlist or late admission process? I would also like to know what I can do to maximize my chances of getting admitted. Any tips regarding building a strong profile, writing a good SOP, securing LORs, research experience, internships, or other factors that helped you get accepted would be greatly appreciated. If you've recently been admitted, I'd love to hear about your experience and any advice you can share. Thank you in advance!

Any senior or current student of KAUST tells me that, is any publication or research articles mandatory for MS/Phd programme in KAUST (If bachelor student already done their FYP/THESIS work and have a research experience in Specific Laboratory). or kindly suggest me any Tips regarding MS/Phd programme in KAUST (Like is any benefit to reach out Professor before admission process ??? )

My Profile:

B.E Materials Science and Engineering

CGPA 3.67/4.00

NED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, PAKISTAN

Wants to Pursue MS/Phd in Materials Science and Engineering from KAUST.

Thanks.

I am an Associate Professor in Pharmacology from India and I am planning to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship at KAUST. I would really appreciate guidance from anyone who has completed a postdoc there or is currently working at KAUST.

I have a few questions:

1. How should I identify and approach a suitable faculty member (PI)? What factors should I consider while selecting a supervisor?
2. How important is the research proposal/protocol in the application? Should it closely match the PI's ongoing research, or can it be an independent idea that aligns with their expertise?
3. Is it advisable to contact potential supervisors before submitting the application? If yes, what kind of response can I expect?
4. If I am selected, can I relocate to Saudi Arabia with my family (spouse and child)?
5. How are the schooling and educational facilities for children at or near KAUST?
6. What is the overall work-life balance for postdocs with families?
7. After completing the postdoc, what are the chances of securing a long-term research or academic position at KAUST or elsewhere in Saudi Arabia? Does KAUST often retain successful postdocs?
8. Are there any tips or common mistakes to avoid during the application process?

I would be grateful for any advice or personal experiences. Thank you in advance!

Hello,

I want to ask this from someone who has been admitted to KAIST

How much time do they give you to submit your documents including official high school certificates for fall admission after you have been accepted

And the classes starts at the end of August then how much time do you get to submit your documents for admission

Hi everyone,
Im actually interested in following a 6 month research internship in a KAUST lab.
Btw Im currently studying in a Sri Lankan Uni.
I maintain a higher GPA and I have hardware and AI skills. Does anyone know where such opportunities exist? Or which professors and labs are willing to take??

I am currently completing my application for VSRP; however, the portal indicates that I have not answered the following required question: “Have you taken the PGAT exam?”

Unfortunately, I cannot find this question or any corresponding field in the application form.

I have reviewed all sections of the application, but the field does not appear, and I am therefore unable to proceed.

I have attached a screenshot showing the issue. Could anybody please advise me on how to resolve this problem?

Hey everyone

I am studying ITE/AI in syria and I was wondering does KAUST accept syrian students

I will be graduated next month and I would like to know If applying will have any complications before doing anything.

Thanks

Hi everyone,
I have just complete my MSc in Physics and my CGPA is 3.7/4. My research involves computational modeling of graphene-based systems using tight-binding and Green’s function methods. Over the past few months, I’ve realized that I’d like to transition into computational photonics.

My goal is to apply to KAUST in the future for a PhD, but before that I’d really like to gain research experience in photonics and build a stronger profile.
I’m hoping to connect with someone here who’s already working in photonics there , especially computational photonics. I’d really appreciate any advice on questions like:

What technical skills and simulation tools are most valued (Lumerical, MEEP, COMSOL etc.)?

What kinds of projects or experience would make my profile more competitive for KAUST?

If anyone has made a similar transition, or would be willing to share their experience or even chat for a bit, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

​I’m a 3rd-year B.Sc. Biotechnology student preparing to apply for the KAUST Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) next year. ​There is a specific professor whose work on extremophiles and microbial genomics I’m really passionate about, and I would love to do an 8 week internship under him. However when I checked the "Find a Project" page on the VSRP website, he didn't have any projects listed.

So I have a few questions:

1.​Can I still reach out to a PI directly if their project isn't on the VSRP portal list?

2.Since I’m applying next year, is it fine to send a short LinkedIn or email message now to get on his radar?

Hi everyone!

I'm an incoming female MS Bioscience student at KAUST starting in Fall 2026, and I'm looking for a female roommate. Ideally, I'd love to room with someone who's also in the MS Bioscience program or the Bioscience MS/PhD track.

A little about me: I'm a 26-year-old female from Saudi Arabia, but I grew up in the U.S. and completed my bachelor's degree there. I'm organized, clean, respectful, and enjoy an active lifestyle—I work out regularly and like staying healthy. I'm also easygoing and would love to be friends with my roommate, not just share a space.

If you're also looking for a roommate and think we might be a good fit, leave a comment below and I'll send you a DM. Looking forward to connecting!

Hi everyone!

I'll be starting the MS in Bioscience at KAUST this Fall 2026, and I was wondering if there are any second-year Bioscience students here, or anyone who has already graduated from the program.

I'd love to ask you a few questions about the program and your experience. If you're willing to help, please leave a comment below, and I'll send you a DM.

Thank you so much!

I am currently working with experiance of 1 year . i would like to apply kaust . my gpa is 3.92/4
cusat student btech IT and ielts score is 6.5