KAUST ranked No. 1 in Arab University Rankings for the third year in a row
Image used for illustrative purpose. Photo: WAM
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has once again been named the number one university in the Arab world. It earned the top spot in the Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2025. This is the third year in a row that KAUST has received this honor.
The announcement was made in Jordan during the 2025 THE Arab Universities Summit, where leaders and experts from many countries met to talk about the future of education. The ranking shows that KAUST continues to lead in important areas such as teaching, research, sharing knowledge, and working with international partners.
KAUST President Sir Edward Byrne said that keeping the No. 1 position for three years is a great achievement. He explained that this success comes from the hard work of KAUST’s teachers, students, staff, and partners. He also said the award shows how Saudi Arabia is becoming stronger in global research, innovation, and advanced education, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.
The 2025 rankings were created using a special regional system that looked at 20 different indicators. These included how often KAUST’s research is cited worldwide, the quality of teaching, cooperation with industries, and partnerships with international researchers. KAUST performed strongly in all these areas in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
World-class research with real impact
KAUST’s research focuses on solving major problems in the world, such as clean energy, water, food, health, and environmental sustainability. Sixteen KAUST faculty members were included in the 2025 Clarivate list of highly cited researchers—one of the biggest recognitions in global science.
Through strong partnerships and advanced labs, KAUST helps turn scientific discoveries into real solutions that benefit industries and support Saudi Arabia’s Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) goals.
KAUST’s success comes from its diverse and talented community. Students gain hands-on learning experiences and guidance from experts, preparing them for future leadership in science and technology. This strong talent pool continues to attract top researchers and important industry partners from around the world.
By supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, KAUST plays a key role in building the Kingdom’s knowledge economy. Its achievements help strengthen national skills, grow international partnerships, and show Saudi leadership on the global stage.
