The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia's leading center of scientific research and technological advancement, is set to host the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit in 2025 for the first time in the Middle East, recognizing the significant contributions of Saudi Arabia and KAUST to the global academic community. KAUST President Edward Byrne said in a press release on Thursday that the summit strengthens the cooperative spirit within academia, focusing on making strategic, impactful contributions to global challenges. "Building on the success of this year's event, we will continue the tradition of cultivating collaboration and driving global change," Byrne said, adding: "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." Times Higher Education Chief Global Affairs Officer Phil Baty said that "the 2025 World Academic Summit 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 commercialization, outline strategies to shape the next generation of leaders, and collaborate to make a meaningful impact on lives around the world," he added. Source: Saudi Press Agency