KAUST academy

What KAUST academy does

KAUST Academy is the educational outreach and training division of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), a publicly chartered research university in Saudi Arabia. It delivers STEM education across three tiers — pre-university programs (King's Math Competition, Scientific Research Summer Initiative, STEM Talent Expansion Programs, and the High School Summer Program), university-level specializations (Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Cybersecurity, Energy Transition, Water Sustainability), and a Professional Master of Science and Women in STEM track. Its core delivery model combines four stages: Coursera-based online learning, in-person KAUST training, and international summer residencies at partner institutions.

The academy's business model is predominantly scholarship-funded: most programs are fully sponsored for Saudi nationals and residents through KAUST's government-backed appropriations and Saudi state entities, with the High School Summer Program being the principal fee-based offering at SAR 35,000–40,000 per participant plus modest SAR 100–200 application fees. It serves as a talent pipeline aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 human capital objectives, partnering with the National Cybersecurity Authority, K.A.CARE, Alwaleed Philanthropies, the Broad Institute, and elite universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Duke, and Glasgow to extend its delivery footprint into the UK and US. The entity operates with approximately 74 employees as a cost center within KAUST, with no disclosed commercial revenue and no fee-based program at commercial scale.

Name

KAUST academy

Legal name

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Website

https://academy.kaust.edu.sa

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

KAUST Academy is the STEM education division of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, delivering pre-university, university specialization, and professional programs to Saudi nationals via Coursera, in-person training, and international summer residencies at Oxford, Cambridge, Duke, and Glasgow.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / STEM Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & STEM Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC), Accelerated Learning & Grade Advancement Programs (EDAJAGAE), Virtual Test Prep & Online Supplemental Instruction (K–12) (EDAJADAI)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• Pre-university preparation
• University specialization training
• Summer academic programs
• Scholarship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Thuwal

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Scholarship Programs: Most programs are fully funded scholarships for Saudi students, funded by KAUST and Saudi government entities, covering all tuition, accommodation, and materials
2. Fee-Based Summer Programs: High School Summer Program (HSSP) charges program fees of SAR 35,000-40,000 plus SAR 200 application fee for international programs combining KAUST with Oxford or Cambridge
3. Application Processing Fees: Non-refundable application fees ranging from SAR 100-200 for various programs including STEPs, SRSI, KMC, and HSSP

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KAUST Academy is an educational programs division of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology that delivers multi-stage STEM training programs to Saudi students at pre-university, university, and professional levels. Offerings include a national mathematics competition, college preparation programs, international summer programs at Oxford and Cambridge, and five specialization tracks (AI, Bioinformatics, Cybersecurity, Energy Transition, Water Sustainability) delivered through Coursera online courses, in-person training, and partner-university summer schools.

Product overview

KAUST Academy is an educational programs division of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology offering a portfolio of youth development and university preparation programs. The portfolio consists of Pre-University programs (KAUST Mathematics Competition, SRSI, STEPs, HSSP), University Students programs including five Specializations (AI, Bioinformatics, Cybersecurity, Energy Transition, Water Sustainability) plus the Women in STEM program, and a Professional Master of Science Degree. All specialization programs follow a common four-stage structure: prerequisite online courses via Coursera, in-person Introduction training, in-person Advanced training, and a Summer Program at elite partner institutions. The Academy leverages partnerships with global institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Duke, Glasgow, and the University of Waterloo to deliver international exposure alongside local training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KAUST Mathematics Competition (KMC) A national mathematics competition organized by KAUST for high school students in Grades 8-11. The competition develops higher-order thinking skills through a two-stage elimination and final round format, with first-place winners receiving exclusive summer camp opportunities at Oxford or Cambridge.
• Saudi Research Science Institute (SRSI) A flagship six-week intensive STEM research program for high-achieving Grade 11 Saudi National students. Modeled on world-leading pre-university research programs, it offers supervised laboratory research alongside KAUST faculty combined with extracurricular enrichment activities.
• Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Program (STEPs) A ten-month college preparation program for Saudi Grade 10 students designed to prepare them for admission to 30 top global universities under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program. Combines comprehensive STEM training, standardized test preparation, and personal development skills through online and in-person components.
• High School Summer Program (HSSP) 2026 A six-week selective international summer program for high-achieving high school students combining on-campus STEM learning at KAUST with an international academic experience at Oxford University or the University of Cambridge. Features two tracks: KAUST-Oxford (broad interdisciplinary STEM) and KAUST-Cambridge (advanced mathematics and computation).
• Women in STEM Program A 15-month hybrid college preparation program designed in collaboration with Alwaleed Philanthropies and RIDA Development to equip Saudi women with tools and confidence for successful graduate admissions in STEM fields. Combines online and in-person sessions covering STEM subjects, standardized test preparation, soft skills, and mentorship.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specialization A multi-level four-stage training program for Saudi university students and recent graduates covering AI fundamentals through advanced levels. Delivered via Coursera prerequisites, in-person training sessions, and an 8-week summer program, with tracks in Python Basics or Mathematics prerequisites, and domains spanning machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, NLP, and reinforcement learning.
• Bioinformatics Specialization A multi-level four-stage program for Saudi university students and fresh graduates covering bioinformatics essentials through advanced levels. The curriculum spans R and Python programming, RNAseq analysis (bulk and single-cell), genomics, proteomics, and machine learning in bioinformatics, and includes a summer program at elite partner institutions including Duke University.
• Cybersecurity Specialization A multi-level four-stage program for Saudi students and recent graduates organized in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA). Covers network security, secure coding, malware, cloud security, incident response, penetration testing, forensic analysis, and encryption techniques, with a summer program at partner institutions including the University of Glasgow.
• Energy Transition Specialization An intensive multi-step four-stage training program for Saudi university students (3rd-5th year) or recent graduates in energy-relevant fields. Covers renewable energy sources, energy storage technologies, hydrogen technologies, CO2 capture and conversion, and system integration, with a strategic partnership with King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE).
• Water Sustainability Specialization A multi-level four-stage program for Saudi university students and recent graduates in biology, chemistry, physics, or relevant fields. Covers emerging waterborne contaminants, wastewater treatment, water desalination, quantitative microbial risk assessment, and hands-on analytical instrumentation, with a summer program component.
• Professional Master of Science Degree A professional master's degree program offered by KAUST for professionals seeking to advance their credentials in science and technology fields.

Quantifiable outcome

• 76%+ female graduates across programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for national advancement in energy sector. K.A.CARE aims to be a leading center for innovations in atomic energy and renewable energy applications, developing national competencies and enhancing technology localization. Partnership supports KAUST Academy's Energy Transition specialization program.
• National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizational partnership to design and deliver the Cybersecurity Specialization Program. NCA is Saudi Arabia's national authority for cybersecurity. Program objective is to empower talented students in cybersecurity, fostering passion and fortifying knowledge to support the Kingdom's digital transformation and Vision 2030 goals.
• Alwaleed PhilanthropiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Alwaleed Philanthropies to present the Women in STEM college preparation program. Jointly sponsored with RIDA (هيئة تنمية البحث والتطوير والابتكار). Program designed to equip women with essential tools for successful graduate admissions in STEM fields.
• University of OxfordflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerElite partner institution for High School Summer Program (HSSP) and AI specialization summer programs. KAUST-Oxford track delivers interdisciplinary STEM curriculum including mathematics, programming, sciences, leadership, and research projects. Students spend 3 weeks at Oxford completing the program.
• University of CambridgeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerElite partner institution for High School Summer Program (HSSP) KAUST-Cambridge track. Track focused on advanced mathematics, computation, and analytical problem-solving. Students spend 3 weeks at Cambridge completing specialized training.
• Duke UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for Bioinformatics Summer Program. Duke University provides intensive training in bioinformatics with hands-on experience in machine learning models, large datasets, and collaborative research. Top students selected for 8-week summer program.
• University of GlasgowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for Cybersecurity Specialization. University of Glasgow provides in-depth cybersecurity training with immersive training, expert guidance, and hands-on experience. Program offers digital security expertise aligned with national cybersecurity leadership goals.
• Broad InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious research institution mentioned in alumni testimonials as a collaborative environment for bioinformatics specialization students. Alumni report working alongside brilliant minds from multiple disciplines at the Broad Institute.
• University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Paul Fannon from University of Cambridge provides course leadership for Bioinformatics specialization. Cambridge academics contribute to curriculum design and instruction emphasizing statistics, machine learning, and personalized medicine.
• KAUST Center of Excellence on Generative AI (GenAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternal KAUST center chaired by Professor Bernard Ghanem, providing AI curriculum leadership and ensuring programs remain at forefront of AI research. Center brings best research, facilities, and products to the Kingdom in partnership with global leaders.
• KAUST Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies (CREST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternal KAUST center chaired by Professor Husam N. Alshareef, Dean of Physical Science and Engineering. CREST advances cutting-edge research in renewable energy and energy storage, providing expertise for Energy Transition specialization.
• CourseracoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline learning platform partner providing prerequisite courses and access to 200+ courses, specializations, and guided projects. Students auto-enrolled in courses upon program acceptance, with free certificates for completed achievements.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• edX: Global MOOC platform founded by Harvard and MIT, offering university-level STEM, AI, and computer science programs. Comparable to KAUST Academy's specialization curriculum as a broader MOOC-based alternative for the same emerging-technology STEM learner segment.
• MiSK Foundation: Saudi non-profit foundation focused on youth development, education, and cultural programs including STEM and leadership tracks. Comparable to KAUST Academy as a Saudi youth development institution targeting overlapping pre-university and young professional segments.
• Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies: Stanford University's pre-college and gifted youth programs including summer institutes and online offerings. Comparable to KAUST Academy's HSSP and SRSI as an elite university-affiliated summer program serving ambitious pre-university students globally.
• KFUPM (King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals): Saudi public research university with STEM specialization programs and youth outreach initiatives. Comparable to KAUST Academy as a peer Saudi university running STEM talent development, summer programs, and pre-university initiatives, though at a larger institutional scale.
• SABIC Academy: Corporate training academy operated by SABIC, one of Saudi Arabia's largest petrochemical companies. Comparable to KAUST Academy's Professional Master of Science and professional development offerings, though anchored in industrial applied training rather than research university STEM specializations.

Others

• Coursera: Global MOOC platform that is both a content delivery partner (auto-enrollment for 200+ courses) and a broader competitor in online STEM education. Comparable because it underpins KAUST Academy's prerequisite stage and competes for the same online STEM learner demand.

Direct peers

• Saudi Digital Academy (SDA): Saudi government-funded digital skills and technology training academy offering programs in AI, data, cybersecurity, and software development. Directly comparable to KAUST Academy's specialization programs in AI, Cybersecurity, and Bioinformatics, serving overlapping Saudi university student and graduate segments.
• Mawhiba (King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity): Saudi Arabia's national talent identification and development foundation for gifted pre-university students. Directly comparable to KAUST Academy's pre-university programs (KMC, SRSI, STEPs, HSSP) as both compete for the same Saudi gifted-student pool and operate under national talent development mandates.

Regional players

• KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology): Saudi national science agency and research institution operating talent development and research programs in STEM fields. Comparable to KAUST Academy as a Saudi national STEM talent and research pipeline, though broader research mandate and government agency positioning.
• Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University: Saudi women's university with strong STEM and computer science programs. Comparable to KAUST Academy's Women in STEM initiative and broader female STEM participation focus, though operating as a full degree-granting institution rather than a non-degree academy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KAUST_Academy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/academy-kaust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KAUST academy