Social Responsibility and COVID-19

Supporting communities and adapting initiatives during the pandemic

Amid COVID-19, KAUST stepped up its engagement with the village of Thuwal to roll out coronavirus awareness and well-being initiatives. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, KAUST has produced a number of short films designed to boost community well-being and ensure understanding of COVID-19 personal protection measures. Distributed via social media channels, these efforts supported the Ministry of Health’s “Everybody is Responsible” media campaign.

KAUST has also helped implement physical-distancing measures in Thuwal’s retailers, restaurants, banks and mosques, while delivering COVID-19 advice leaflets to households. To support students in their switch to home-based learning, computers and tablets were distributed where needed. In preparation for the return of teachers to schools to deliver remote teaching at the start of the fall term, KAUST equipped the schools in Thuwal and other local villages with signage, and is also preparing individual packs of personal protective equipment for students when school-based learning is permitted.

These initiatives have been led by KAUST’s Social Responsibility Department, which serves to utilize the university’s unique range of talent and skills via community volunteers. In addition to the COVID-19 response, the department was determined that ongoing and planned projects would continue, and adapted each accordingly. KAUST’s 2019/20 Capacity Building Program for young professionals in Thuwal – which delivers English language and information computer technology training – switched smoothly from its campus-based course to remote learning, with all attendees graduating successfully. In celebration of Ramadan, KAUST delivered over 1,100 boxes of healthy food items to the community, with volunteers undergoing remote training with KAUST on health, safety and environment factors, as well as doing a Red Crescent certification to ensure safe handling.

The annual Science Summer Camp also transitioned online, with students aged 10-18 from Jeddah and Thuwal attending over 200 hours of lectures, workshops and activities delivered by KAUST professors, graduate students, researchers and post-docs during the three-week program. The department continues to coordinate online projects, such as supporting students to participate in virtual university visits and attend KAUST Sci-Cafés. The Social Responsibility Department is also curating a collaboration between The KAUST School, KAUST IT, and teachers in Thuwal and local villages to deliver needs-based training that complements the Ministry of Education coaching for online classroom management and optimal use of Microsoft Teams.

The Social Responsibility Department has a long-standing relationship with Thuwal community leaders, schools and organizations. KAUST supports Thuwal in the fields of education, economy and the environment by providing individuals and groups with the support, knowledge and resources to thrive, thus helping KAUST to be a good neighbor and responsible citizen. Corporate social responsibility and young talent development are core parts of KAUST’s strategies for serving Saudi Arabia.

AL BIR CHARITABLE SOCIETY IN THUWAL

“On behalf of the members of the Board of Directors of Al Bir Charitable Society in Thuwal, it gives us great pleasure to thank KAUST. The Social Responsibility Department delivered health awareness, preventive educational initiatives and support programs as part of their ongoing partnership to help develop our local Thuwal community.”

Ayish Ahmed Al Jahdali, Chairman of the Board of Al Bir Charitable Society in Thuwal