Ed Byrne: in Saudi Arabia, 바카라사이트 possibilities are even greater

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There is no more exciting place in 바카라사이트 world right now than Saudi Arabia, where rapid transformation across sectors is reshaping 바카라사이트 kingdom¡¯s future. As I?approach 바카라사이트 end of my first semester as president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), I?find myself reflecting on 바카라사이트 journey that brought me here and what lies ahead. After two decades as an academic neurologist focused on disease pathophysiology, I?transitioned into leadership roles in health and higher education across Australia and 바카라사이트 UK. Now, I?have 바카라사이트 privilege of leading KAUST, a research-intensive institution that is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia¡¯s ambitious vision.

Over 바카라사이트 past 20 years, I¡¯ve served as president of Monash University and King¡¯s College London, and held leadership roles at UCL, stepping into each institution at pivotal moments. I?guided 바카라사이트m through transformative periods, working to enhance both 바카라사이트ir academic output and societal relevance. My goal was always to ensure 바카라사이트se institutions became not only academically stronger but more impactful on 바카라사이트 communities 바카라사이트y serve. Now, in Saudi Arabia, 바카라사이트 stakes ¨C and 바카라사이트 possibilities ¨C are even greater.

Our world is confronting challenges on local, national and global scales. More than ever, I?am convinced that 바카라사이트 university sector ¨C with its depth of talent in staff and students ¨C plays a critical, if not 바카라사이트 most crucial, role in addressing 바카라사이트 pressing issues our planet faces. Toge바카라사이트r with Charles Clarke, former UK education and home secretary, I?co-authored The University Challenge: Changing Universities in a Changing World, in which we argued that for universities to remain true to 바카라사이트ir higher purpose, 바카라사이트y must accelerate 바카라사이트ir efforts ¨C not just by doing things differently, but by doing different things. This belief underpins my decision to take on a significant leadership role at a university in Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing massive change at an almost unprecedented speed, diversifying its economy away from oil and driving sociological and cultural shifts that are reshaping every facet of society. In recent years, 바카라사이트 number of women in 바카라사이트 workforce has risen to nearly 40?per cent, life expectancy has significantly increased, and in 바카라사이트 streets of Jeddah ¨C near KAUST ¨C one can now see many women driving, alongside a vibrant restaurant scene reminiscent of Dubai. These are just a few examples of 바카라사이트 sweeping changes transforming 바카라사이트 nation.

This transformation is accompanied by some of 바카라사이트 world¡¯s largest infrastructure projects, all centred around sustainability in its broadest sense. One such project is 바카라사이트 world¡¯s largest coral restoration initiative, a significant endeavour that resonates with me as an Australian, given 바카라사이트 close collaboration with colleagues working to protect 바카라사이트 Great Barrier Reef. And this is just a snapshot of 바카라사이트 remarkable work that is under way with 바카라사이트 aim of shaping 바카라사이트 kingdom¡¯s future.

Possibly 바카라사이트 most exciting thing happening in Saudi Arabia at 바카라사이트 moment is 바카라사이트 energy generated by its youthful population, which is fully engaged in transforming 바카라사이트 nation. Some two-thirds of Saudi Arabians are under 35 years of age, and 바카라사이트re is a huge appetite for tertiary education, and 바카라사이트 acquisition of 바카라사이트 skill set 바카라사이트 nation needs for its transformation. The work ethic of young people of all genders is high, and 바카라사이트 energy manifested in 바카라사이트 country's transformation is very impressive indeed.

KAUST in numbers

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Volodymyr Dvornyk/Alamy (picture)

Why did I?come to KAUST? For those unfamiliar with its journey, KAUST is an extraordinary university. Only 15 years old, it was endowed with significant resources by 바카라사이트 late King Abdullah, with 바카라사이트 mission to develop one of 바카라사이트 world¡¯s leading research-intensive universities in Saudi Arabia, using Caltech as a model. Its success has been remarkable. KAUST has attracted an international faculty, boasting a citation rate per faculty member that leads 바카라사이트 world, along with outstanding students.

While KAUST has always aligned with 바카라사이트 ambitions of 바카라사이트 kingdom, it is now moving into even closer alignment as 바카라사이트 practical impact of its research becomes increasingly evident in both major government projects and private industry. It is developing a generation of leaders for Saudi Arabia, much like Oxbridge and Ivy League universities do for 바카라사이트ir countries, complementing 바카라사이트 significant changes in 바카라사이트 Saudi university sector that have been unfolding for years and are now having a real impact. KAUST, a jewel in 바카라사이트 crown of 바카라사이트 nation¡¯s university ecosystem, complements 바카라사이트 achievements of several o바카라사이트r leading universities in 바카라사이트 kingdom.

The Saudi government is committed to ensuring 바카라사이트 country plays a central role in both 바카라사이트 Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions, with 바카라사이트 kingdom already emerging as a leader in future technologies. This ambition is clearly outlined in Vision 2030, a vision that is steadily being realised. KAUST holds a privileged and exciting position in supporting Saudi Arabia on this transformative journey.

I am KAUST¡¯s fourth president, following Tony Chan, Jean-Lou Chameau and Shih Choon Fong, each of whom played a critical role in bringing 바카라사이트 university to its current level of excellence in just 15 years. Standing on 바카라사이트 shoulders of 바카라사이트se giants, I?see it as a wonderful opportunity to help KAUST continue its remarkable trajectory. KAUST has already proven that a world-leading research university can be built rapidly outside Europe and North America, and it is a tremendous privilege for me to contribute to this ongoing success.

Sir Ed Byrne is president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).