The first mixed-gender university in Saudi Arabia, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a culturally progressive institution in the city of Thuwal that’s rich (literally) in innovation and high technology. With approaching 1,000 enrolled students from around the world, this new university continues to thrive and foster an open, academic atmosphere as it works through its growing pains and the difficulties of introducing a predominately Western, progressive culture in a highly conservative, Middle Eastern land.

It is understandable that one may experience trepidation when considering pursuing an education at KAUST – religious traditions in Saudi Arabia are in stark contrast to those in the West. Women are required to wear an abaya and often cover their heads in public, and, generally, have markedly fewer rights than their male counterparts. However, life on the sharia-free KAUST campus is much different – religious police do not patrol the campus, women are allowed to mix with men freely and are not required to wear the traditional abaya or cover their heads with cloth, and generally enjoy the rights they have in Western societies. Overall, students at KAUST lead a liberal, Western lifestyle (aside from drinking alcohol, which is not allowed). With that said, though – once a female student passes beyond the gates of KAUST into town, she is in violation of Saudi law if she is not wearing an abaya.

All that notwithstanding, KAUST offers many fine opportunities for the academically-minded, culturally inquisitive grad student. Offering a Master of Science degree (18 months) and a PhD program (3-4 years), studies are offered in 11 fields organized across three academic divisions – chemical and life sciences and engineering, mathematical and computer sciences and engineering, and physical sciences and engineering. With a massive amount of funding coming from the king himself, KAUST’s facilities are said to be the most advanced in the Middle East, if not the world.