Welcome to KAUST booklet 3

Human Resources

TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to KAUST

Introduction to KAUST 4
4
PURPOSE OF THE USER GUIDE 4
HOW THIS GUIDE IS STRUCTURED 5
HR HELPDESK 5
INTRODUCTION TO KAUST 6
OUR VISION AND MISSION
7
KAUST Essentials: Your First Week at KAUST 7
8
USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS AND LINKS 8
RELOCATING TO KAUST 9
CURRENCY 10
HOUSING 11
TRANSPORTATION AT KAUST 11
DRESS CODE 12
WORKING HOURS 11
KAUST ID 11
IQAMA - RESIDENCY PERMIT FOR EXPATRIATES 12
EQUIPMENT AND IT LOGIN CREDENTIALS 12
EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION 12
SALARY INFORMATION 12
BANKING 12
SAUDI MOBILE NUMBER: SIM CARDS 13
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR: ABSHER ACCOUNT 13
THE KAUST SCHOOL 14
DAYCARE 14
KAUST HEALTH 15
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS OFFICE
KAUST MAPS 17
17
Your First Three Months 17
17
RESPECTING OUR DIFFERENCES
NO SMOKING POLICY 18
PERSONAL VISITORS 18
18
TAKING LEAVE 18
ANNUAL LEAVE 18
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
SICK LEAVE
ALLOWANCES

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KEY BENEFITS Welcome to KAUST
PENSION PLANS
SAVINGS PLAN 18
HEALTH INSURANCE 19
LIFE INSURANCE 19
MEMBERSHIPS OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 19
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE PROTECTION 19
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENT DEPENDENTS 19
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANT PROGRAM 19
EXIT/RE-ENTRY VISA 19
19
THE KAUST COMMUNITY – PEOPLE, PLACE, PRIDE 20
RECREATION
RECREATION CLUBS 20
BEACHES 21
SAFAA GOLF CLUB 21
THEATER AND CINEMA 22
OUTDOOR RECREATION 22
STADIUM 23
AL-MARSA YACHT CLUB, MARINA AND WATER SPORTS CENTRE 23
COMMUNITY CLUBS 23
RESTAURANTS AND FOOD SERVICES 24
VETERINARIAN SERVICES 24
POSTAL SERVICES 24
SOCIAL MEDIA GROUPS 25
KAUST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 25
26
Beyond three months 26

PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND MERIT INCREASE 27
PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS 27
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT 27
27

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Welcome to KAUST

Introduction to KAUST

Purpose of the User Guide

Hello, Salaam Aleikum, and welcome to KAUST. We are looking forward to you joining
the team!

The aim of this guide is to help orient you to KAUST and outline some key features
that will support your transition.
Things do occasionally change, so be sure to stay in contact with your Relocation
Coordinator who will guide you through the process of joining us. Once you are here
keep an eye on the announcements that are sent out - the Policy Portal also has all
the latest guidelines and can be found at policy.kaust.edu.sa when you are in KAUST.

How this guide is structured

This guide is structured around the activities and services which will support your
transition to work and the community, and include:
 KAUST Essentials: Your First week at KAUST
 Your First Three Months
 Beyond your first three months

Please note though:
 The information and subjects we cover for you in this guide do not cover all of our

policies and guidelines and this guide is not intended to replace them.
 Your eligibility for benefits that are mentioned in the guide are based on your type

of contract. Please refer to your contract’s terms and conditions for more details.
 You will only be able to access some of the external links mentioned in this guide

after you have joined KAUST on day one.

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Welcome to KAUST

HR Helpdesk

One thing that you might also find helpful after you have arrived at KAUST is the HR
Helpdesk. This is your first stop for any employment related questions you have.
The HR Helpdesk can be found in Building 16 – the Administration Building. Contact
details for this are below along with the HR Emergency On-Call number for use in case
of a HR related problem outside of normal office hours.

Ask the HR Helpdesk in Building 16, Level 2
Tel: 808 2055 (KAUST Internal number)
E-Mail: [email protected]
HR Emergency On-Call Number +966(0)544 700277

An introduction to KAUST

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate
research university of science and technology. Our main aims are to educate students
and produce research which benefits both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the rest
of the world.
We run Masters and PhD programs for students across three Academic Divisions:

 Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE)
 Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering (CEMSE)
 Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)

We also have 10 Research Centers which bring together Faculty, Researchers and
Students to focus on goal oriented research covering key topics of Water, Energy,
Environment and Food and Health.

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Welcome to KAUST

KAUST, as well as a university, is also a community which some 7,000 people call
home and as such provides housing, schooling, health and sports and recreation
facilities to enrich your time here.

KAUST’s Vision

KAUST aspires to be a destination for scientific and technological education and
research. By inspiring discoveries to address global challenges, we strive to serve as
a beacon of knowledge that bridges people and cultures for the betterment of
humanity.

KAUST’s Mission

KAUST advances science and technology through distinctive and collaborative
research integrated with graduate education. We are a catalyst for innovation,
economic development and social prosperity in Saudi Arabia and the world.
We exist for the pursuit and advancement of scientific knowledge and its broad
dissemination and benevolent application. We strive to enhance the welfare of
society with a special focus on four areas of global significance – food, water, energy,
and the environment.

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Welcome to KAUST

KAUST Essentials: Your first week at KAUST

Useful contact numbers and links

Emergency 012 808 0911 (911 from landline)
KAUST HR Meet and Greet Coordinator +966 (0)540 273440
Facilities Management 012 808 0959 (959 from landline)
[email protected]
HR Helpdesk 012 808 2055
[email protected]
Community Life Building 16
Human Resources https://communitylife.kaust.edu.sa
24 hour on-call 054 470 0277
Government Affairs
Service Center 012 808 0970 (970 from landline)
[email protected]
Government Affairs 24 hour on-call Building 4
KAUST Health 054 470 1111
012 808 0940 (940 from landline)
IT Helpdesk https://kh.kaust.edu.sa
Wi-Fi Networks 012 808 0910 (910 from landline)
Guest (no password required)
Taxi bookings iCampus (requires KAUST login)
Hanco: 012 808 5647
Mobile and TV Store Samara: 012 808 5616
(SIM cards) STC: 012 808 7220
Vet Clinic Mobily: 012 808 7210
056 644 6670
Bus schedule 054 135 2556
[email protected]
Off campus Central Services Area
Bus bookings https://communitylife.kaust.edu.sa/Services/Pages/Bus
The KAUST School -Services.aspx
http://kaust.saptco.com.sa/
Daycare
KAUST Portal (employee self-services) 012 808 6803
The Lens (KAUST news and updates) [email protected]
Welcome to KAUST App [email protected]
https://portal.kaust.edu.sa
Ministry of Interior: Absher https://thelens.kaust.edu.sa
Employee Assistance Program Search for ‘KAUST Events’ app on the app store and then
in the app click the ‘Welcome to KAUST’ guide
https://www.moi.gov.sa
Toll free from Saudi Arabia: 800 844 3261
[email protected]

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Welcome to KAUST

Relocating to KAUST

Arriving at the Airport
Your dedicated HR Relocation Coordinator will guide you through the process of
relocating you and your family and your personal belongings as smoothly and as
quickly as possible. If you are coming from overseas, a taxi will be arranged to meet
you at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and bring you to KAUST. Women
are advised to wear conservative clothing that covers their shoulders, arms and legs,
but an abaya or headscarf are not required for arrival at the airport or when inside
KAUST.

Once you have cleared immigration and collected your luggage, your taxi driver will
be there to meet you in the Arrivals area. They will bring you to KAUST (about 60 mins
drive) and take you first to the Visitors Center to get a temporary pass, then to the
Housing department to get your house keys and information, and then on to your
house with one of the Housing Representatives who will orient you to your house.

Your Relocation Coordinator will also meet you on your first working day and guide
you through what you will need to do during your first week. Your taxi driver, Housing
Representative and your Relocation Coordinator have all done this many times and
are used to helping people with the initial transition, so you will be in safe hands and
please feel free to ask any questions!

Currency

The currency for Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) and is attached to the
US Dollar at 3.75 SAR to $1. There are cash machines at KAUST where you may be
able to withdraw cash using an international bank card but it is best to bring some
SARs with you. The local supermarket and food outlets do accept credit/debit cards.
Salaries are paid on the 25th of each month and the payroll cut-off is usually the 19th
of the month.

Cash Advance
You can request a cash advance on your first working day of up to SR 5,000. Your
Relocation Coordinator can provide you with the cash advance form.

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Welcome to KAUST

Housing

For those living in KAUST, furnished air-conditioned accommodation is provided
relevant to your employment category and the number of dependents you will have
living with you.

The houses all have TVs, cookers, fridges-freezers, dishwashers, washing machines
and tumble dryers. They also have Ethernet ports that you can plug a computer
straight into to access the internet if you have an Ethernet cable and suitable port on
your computer. Or bring a wireless router with you to create a Wi-Fi network using
the Ethernet ports. Note that you do not need a separate or built in modem in your
router – you can also buy wireless routers from the IT shop on the academic campus
which opens Sunday – Monday 8am – 5pm.
Plugs in most of our houses are of the two pin European type though newer houses
use the UK three pin type so bring some adaptors of both types as necessary. Voltage
is 220/240 AC. The air conditioning can be adjusted between 16 – 26 degrees
centigrade. General waste and recycling is collected several times a week.
For more information and to see videos of the house types please look at:
https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/live/Accommodation/housing-types
Any personal effects that you have arranged to ship to KAUST will be delivered to
your house within 5-6 weeks of your arrival.

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Welcome to KAUST

Transportation at KAUST

Community Buses
There are frequent free community shuttle bus services running across the entire
KAUST campus and community from early mornings until late at night and also
separate school shuttle bus services. You will be issued with details of the shuttle bus
service when you arrive at KAUST. There is an onsite taxi service for use either in
KAUST or off campus and there are regular free buses which go each day to the
shopping malls and hospitals in Jeddah.

Vehicle Hire
It is also possible to hire Electric Golf Carts and to buy Scooters and Bikes on site to
allow you more flexibility with moving around. Car hire is also available on site for
use in or outside of KAUST if you have the necessary driving license. Driving in KAUST
is permissible if you have a driving license from your home country. To drive outside
of KAUST you will need to obtain a Saudi driving license once you are at KAUST if you
already have an approved driving license from your home country.

The onsite taxi companies also provide car rentals.

You can also buy new cars outside of KAUST and second hand cars, golf carts, scooters
and bikes are often sold second hand through the KAUST community. There is a gas
station, maintenance garage and car wash all within the community.

For more information on campus transportation you can visit the transportation
website at transportation.kaust.edu.sa once you are at KAUST

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Welcome to KAUST

Dress code

As KAUST is a multicultural environment we ask you to apply your best judgement
and common sense when out and about in the community. Modest and non-
revealing attire is appropriate when in the community and when at work a
professional or ‘smart casual’ appearance applies. When using the swimming pools
and beaches, again modest non-revealing swimwear is requested and this should be
covered up when outside the immediate swimming areas.

Working Hours

The normal working week is Sunday – Thursday. Friday and Saturday are rest days.
Normal working hours are Sunday–Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding a one-
hour meal break. Employees in some areas may be required to work shifts and this
will have been communicated to you as part of your contract.

Your first working day will be the next working day after you arrive at KAUST (e.g., If
you arrive on a Monday your first working day will be Tuesday; if you arrive on a
Thursday your first working day will be the Sunday).

First Day
On your first day of work, please make your way to the HR Helpdesk in Building 16
for 8am (unless specified otherwise) and your Relocation Coordinator will meet you
and take you through the next steps.

KAUST ID

HR will help you, and any dependents you have, to obtain your KAUST ID card from
the Government Affairs Services Center that is located on the spine within the
university campus. Your ID is required for entry into many of our recreation centers
including cinema, off-campus activities etc.

Iqama - Residency Permit for Expatriates

If you are an expatriate you will need to obtain an Iqama which gives you the right to
live and work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. HR will help you to obtain this permit
through the Government Affairs Services Center. The permit normally takes two
weeks to be obtained. Once you have received your Iqama then you can open a bank
account, obtain an exit/entry visa for travel etc.

Equipment and IT login credentials

Your direct manager will identify and order the equipment you will need in your role
and also arrange for you to get the IT login credentials you will need to access the
KAUST IT systems.

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Welcome to KAUST

Employee Orientation

New employees will be scheduled to attend the weekly benefits orientation which
covers key things like understanding our Savings, Pension schemes and health care
access which you are eligible for. A longer orientation to understand more about the
University in general is normally attended within your first three months.

Salary information

Salary payments are paid monthly on the 25th of each month, unless the 25th falls on
a weekend or public holiday in which case they are paid on the previous working day.
Payroll cut-off is normally the 19th of the month.

New employees are asked to provide their bank account details to HR during their
first day orientation – this can be changed once you have set up a Saudi bank account,
if you so choose. Your first salary payment needs to be into one bank account but
subsequent payments can be split between two bank accounts (e.g., your Saudi bank
account and an international bank account). As said, a cash advance is available from
HR should you need it until you get paid for the first time.

Banking

SAMBA and SABB banks maintain branch offices on campus and offer full banking
services to the community. They also maintain a number of ATM machines located
around campus for deposit and withdrawal in both SAR and USD. To open an account
you will need your Iqama, to have registered your address with the Saudi national
address registration (address.gov.sa) and you will also need a Saudi mobile phone
number as logging into the website and app and some transactions use a two-factor
authentication by sending a verification code to your mobile phone. HR can help
guide you through these steps during your first few days. Opening a bank account
usually takes 3-5 working days so it is advisable to start this as soon as you have
received your Iqama and a Saudi mobile number.

Saudi Mobile Number: SIM cards

You can obtain a Saudi SIM card from the on-site IT mobile and TV Store which is
located on the academic campus and which supplies STC and Mobily SIM cards as
well as other services. Pre-paid top up services are available through the on-site
supermarkets.

Ministry of Interior: Absher account

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is very advanced in its online services and one thing you
will need to do early in your time at KAUST is register for an Absher account. This is
the website for the Ministry of Interior and records such information as your passport

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Welcome to KAUST

details, dependents details, vehicle details etc. It also has a record of all your trips in
and out of the Kingdom. Again, HR can guide you through how to register for an
Absher account.
https://www.moi.gov.sa

The KAUST School

Inspiration, Integrity, and Achievement are cornerstones of The KAUST School (TKS).
Located in a University setting, The KAUST School’s curriculum offers students the
inquiry-based International Baccalaureate curriculum authorized in all three
programs: Pre K-12; Primary Years (PYP), Middle Years (MYP and Diploma (DP).
Further information about The KAUST Schools can be found at:
http://tks.kaust.edu.sa

Daycare

The Daycare is operated by an external provider – Building Blocks Private School and
operates from two locations in the community. The Daycare as is open from 7.30am
– 5.30pm Sundays to Thursdays. KAUST Daycare is designed and equipped to meet
the needs of the children from the age of 2 months and also offers an afterschool
program for children in K1, K2 and K3.
More information about KAUST Daycare can be found at:
https://facilities.kaust.edu.sa/Services/Pages/Daycare.aspx
You can also email Building Blocks to enquire about enrollment via –
[email protected]

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Welcome to KAUST

KAUST Health

KAUST Health aspires to provide modern, holistic healthcare to the KAUST
community and maintain a world-class ambulatory healthcare center. KAUST Health
caters for the majority of our healthcare needs close to home, with a highly trained
team, in a comfortable and modern facility.

Together with Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH), the clinic offers a range of routine
and specialty services for the community, which are delivered by our competent and
caring full-time physicians and visiting specialists. KAUST Health are constantly
working to increase the scope of their services to reflect the changing needs of the
community without compromising the quality and safety of care you expect. You may
visit kh.kaust.edu.sa for more information and appointments can be made by calling
808 0940 (012 808 0940 from a mobile) once you are on-site.

Government Affairs Office

The Government Affairs Services Center serves as the primary contact point for all
questions, requests and inquiries related to government documentation, approvals,
and services. It coordinates between KAUST and various Saudi governmental
ministries and offices on matters such as travel documents and visas, dependent and
family paperwork, permits, and final exit forms, etc. The Government Affairs Services
Center can be found at:

Building 4, Level 2, Office 2252 on Discovery Walk
Tel: 054-470-1111 or Email: [email protected]
https://governmentaffairs.kaust.edu.sa

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Welcome to KAUST

KAUST Maps

Getting familiar with KAUST’s layout can be daunting to start with but comes in time.
Maps help and we have a good searchable online map resource at
(http://maps.kaust.edu.sa/maps) once you are on-site. You should also be issued
with a hardcopy map when you move into your house.
We have also included an overview map of the KAUST site and the Academic campus
below:

Overview KAUST Map

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Welcome to KAUST

KAUST Academic Campus

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Welcome to KAUST

Your First Three Months

Respecting our differences

KAUST is an amazing place to live and work, not least of which is because of the
diverse nationalities and cultures all living in one community. We ask people to be
aware and respectful of the different beliefs and norms which they are likely to
encounter while living here. The University has a zero-tolerance approach to
violence, threats or harassment.
We also ask that people respect a dress code which is sensitive to our multi-cultural
community. This includes have a professional appearance while on the Academic
Campus and also modest dress while out in the community areas.

No Smoking Policy

Please note that we operate a no smoking policy in all University buildings except for
private residences and designated outdoor locations in the academic campus.

Personal Visitors

All KAUST residents are able to request passes for personal visitors, which include
immediate family members residing either inside or outside of Kingdom, and also
friend and other family members already inside the Kingdom. Immediate family
members can visit you in Kingdom for up to 30 days per visit after they have obtained
a visa. Visitor Passes can be requested and managed via the KAUST Portal. For more
information please refer to vms.kaust.edu.sa once you are on-site or contact the HR
Helpdesk.

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Welcome to KAUST

Taking leave

There are a number of different types of leave available to you depending on the
occasion.

Annual Leave

The holiday year follows the calendar year and the usual entitlement for employees
is 30 working days per year, pro-rata depending on your date of joining. This can differ
though depending on your employment category and will be set out in your Offer
Letter. Generally you need to complete your 90 day probationary period before
taking leave.

Public Holidays

The University follows the official Saudi Arabia national holidays such as Eid and Saudi
National Day as well as certain University-declared days off. These holidays may vary
from year to year and will be published every year in the Academic Calendar.

Sick Leave

If you are off work through illness then you can log this via the KAUST Portal if it is 2
days or less or through a form and medical certificate from a medical practitioner if
it is beyond this.

There are various other types of leave which can be taken depending on the occasion,
such as marriage leave, maternity leave and paternity leave. If these become relevant
to you please contact the HR Helpdesk for more information or you can find out more
via the KAUST Policy Portal under Human Resources (policy.kaust.edu.sa).

Allowances

In addition to your base salary, you will be eligible for certain ‘over-base’ allowances
which will depend upon your employment contract and will have been detailed in
your Offer Letter. Such allowances may include things like:

- Over-base or Competitive Adjustment Allowance which is a percentage of your
base salary

- Relocation Assistance Allowance – a one off payment to help with you
relocating to the Kingdom

- Annual Travel Allowance to help with the costs of travelling back to your home
country

- Housing and Transportation Allowances for those living outside KAUST

Key Benefits

There are a number of generous benefits available to KAUST employees which are
outlined below:

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Welcome to KAUST

Pension Plan

This will vary slightly depending on your nationality, but KAUST contributes the
equivalent of 10% of your base salary into a cash accumulation plan which vests after
3 years of service. The percentage contribution KAUST makes increases after 5 years
of service.

Savings Plan

KAUST will match your contributions into a Savings Plan up to 10% of your base salary
(though you can contribute up to 90% of your base salary). You can choose whether
to keep this money in cash or invest it in a variety of options through a third-party
financial institution.

Health Insurance

KAUST provides a health plan which is completely funded for the employee and
dependents in Saudi Arabia and with optional subsidized plans for use outside of the
Kingdom.

Life Insurance

KAUST provides life and accident insurance coverage for the employee and their
eligible dependents

Memberships of Professional Associations

KAUST will pay for the annual membership of one professional body relevant to the
person’s occupation.

Currency Exchange Rate Protection

KAUST will mitigate the temporary financial hardship caused to an eligible expatriate
employee where the US dollar depreciates by more than 10% against the currency of
the expatriate’s country of origin.

Travel Assistance for Student Dependents

In order to help maintain family ties, this benefit provides eligible employees with
financial travel assistance for their student dependents who are studying overseas to
be able to visit their family who are in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Employee Assistance Program

As employees or postdocs at KAUST, you and your family members have access to
the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for information, resources, guidance and
counselling. The EAP offers a variety of services and support to assist you to achieve
work/life balance and emotional and physical well-being, maintain positive
relationships, adjust to living overseas, referral to personal financial advice, support
with long-distance caregiving, parental support and much more.

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Welcome to KAUST
The EAP is free, confidential, independent and impartial and can be accessed 24/7
toll free from within Saudi Arabia by ringing 800 844 3261 or emailing
[email protected]

Exit/Re-Entry Visas

In order to leave and re-enter the Kingdom you will need a valid Exit/Re-entry visa.
This is obtained through the Self Services section on the KAUST Portal and through
paying the appropriate fee through your bank under ‘Government Payments’. The
main options are to purchase a one year multiple exit/re-entry visa or single exit/re-
entry visa which can be valid for different lengths of time. KAUST supports the cost
of exit/reentry fees by paying 1,000 SAR per person, per year to assist with your
exit/re-entry visas, which is enough for five single visas of one month duration each.
This amount is paid together with your annual travel allowance in January of each
year.

The KAUST Community – People, Place, Pride

KAUST is not just a University and place where we work but also a small town and
place where many of us live. As such there are a range of community services which
you would expect in order to serve our residents. These are outlined below.

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Welcome to KAUST

Recreation

We have extensive recreation and sports facilities available to KAUST employees and
their dependents. There are also a host of clubs, leagues and competitions that will
keep you both fit and busy. The current facilities and offerings include:

Recreation Clubs

KAUST has three large recreation clubs – The Harbor Sports Club, the Island
Recreation Club and the Racquet Club which between them offer a wide variety of
facilities and activities including swimming pools, gyms, bowling, sports courts and
restaurants. There are also a range of exercise and yoga classes running through the
week.

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Welcome to KAUST

Beaches

We have two beaches – North Beach and South Beach with sporting and recreation
facilities including sun loungers, volleyball, barbeque grills and swimming at South
Beach with Lifeguards in attendance.

Safaa Golf Club

Safaa Golf Club is a championship-designed nine-hole golf course with paid
membership open to employees and their dependents. It is a great facility for
enjoying your hobby or trying a new one.

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Welcome to KAUST

Theater and Cinema

Situated in Discovery Square, the 200-seat Theater and Cinema shows the latest
movies—from Hollywood blockbusters to the latest Arabic and Hindi movies. Other
popular international movies are shown at certain times.

Outdoor Recreation

There are extensive outdoor recreational areas including several football fields,
parks, open spaces, picnic areas and playgrounds for children. Walking and cycling
are popular around the community—for both exercise and transportation.

Stadium

The University has its own 5,000-seat stadium for large ceremonies, functions and
sports events.

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Welcome to KAUST

Al-Marsa Yacht Club, Marina and Water Sports Centre

The Al-Marsa Yacht Club offers a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, meeting
rooms, and stunning views of the Marina, the KAUST Beacon, and the Red Sea. The
Harbor area includes a deep-water marina with pontoon berthing for up to 85 boats
and all associated facilities such as maintenance, fuel and expert advice. The allied
Water Sports Center offers various activities including diving, kayaking and sailing for
enjoyment and courses.

Community Clubs

And then there are a whole host of shared interest Community Clubs (Self Directed
Groups) which are set up and run by community members and cover such interests
as Photography, Sports, Arts and Movement related activities. Please see the link on
the Get Active intranet site Community Clubs once you are on-site

Restaurants and Food Services

Food service operations vary from fast-food vendors, snack bars, and cafes to
cafeteria-style eateries and fine dining restaurants. They can be found at the Main
Campus, Central Services area, Island Recreation Center and Pure restaurant, Harbor
Sports Club, Racquet Club, KAUST Inn, Golf Course, Marine Al-Marsa restaurant, and
include many outlets within the Harbor Walk, Discovery Square, and campus spine
(Discovery Walk).

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Pets and Veterinarian Services

Residents are allowed to have up to 2 pets (excluding in apartments or shared
accommodation) in the community and there is also veterinary and boarding services
available. All pets (excluding fish) need to be registered with the vet.

There are certain procedures to be followed for transporting pets to the Kingdom and
you should speak with your Relocation Coordinator or the HR Helpdesk to find out
more about this, or look at the related guidelines under the Policy Portal
policy.kaust.edu.sa.
The contact details for the Vet Clinic is 056 644 6670/054 135 2556
[email protected] and the clinic is located in the Central Services Area.

Postal Services

A domestic and international postal service to and from KAUST is available from the
UPS/DHL office in Discovery Square. You can get a mailbox from the UPS counter and
the mailboxes are accessible 24/7.

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Welcome to KAUST

Social Media Groups

In addition to the KAUST Official Facebook page, you will also find several useful
Facebook groups set up by the community. These include KAUST Community, KAUST
for Sale, KAUST Give Away, KAUST Shared Taxis and KAUST Pets.

KAUST Volunteer Program

Volunteering is a great way to benefit both the community and enhancing your own
experiences of your time at KAUST through using your skills and knowledge in
meaningful ways. For more information see the Community Life Intranet site
(Community Life) or email [email protected]

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Welcome to KAUST

Beyond three months

Performance Reviews and Merit Increases

The University has an annual Performance Management Program (PMP) which is
used to assess performance, award merit increases and set contribution objectives
for the year ahead.

Promotions and Transfers

All employees generally need to have spent two years in their initial role before they
are eligible for promotion or an internal move to a different role. Internal vacancies -
once you become eligible - are listed on the KAUST Portal under the Recruitment link.

Learning and Development

The Learning and Development team within HR run a number of development
programs across the University, including Core Skills Programs and English Language
tuition for employees and their spouses. There is also an extensive Learning
Management System which can be found on the KAUST Portal under the Learning
link.

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