H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History

[M177-01] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:00:53 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

As always, very awkward with technology, Ironically, I'm the chair of the board of a technology university. Here you go. Sometimes awkwardness can deliver. Let's hope I can prove it.

[M177-02] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:01:17 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

With this great assembly that I have in front of me, I was promising Sir Edward and the management that I shall keep up with the speech that they have written to me, but as always, I will have to disappoint. Because, you know, it is really different. When you sit down there, you see the thing completely different from when you sit or stand up here and you see what you are surrounded with. And what you are surrounded with is not people. I have a great deal of respect for the imagination of the people in front of me.

[M177-03] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:02:12 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

I have a great deal of respect for the dedication of the people in front of me. I have a great deal of respect for the effort and the time and the sweat and the tears you all put to be here. And I have a great deal of respect for the families that made you come here and be part of this.

[M177-04] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:02:51 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

This is off script. There is no one can claim it except me and nobody will be accountable for it except me. But let me give you or give me a chance and give me, on behalf of the board, to take you through to a small journey which has not been more than six months. I first have to say something. To be fair, I cannot leave this podium without mentioning one person. That person is His Royal Highness, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

[M177-05] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:03:54 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

And why not that I don't mention him? He is the very person who made me stand before you today, a proud person, because I was here when the grand opening of the University had taken place. And if anybody came around and said one day you will become the chairman of this university, in a plain language I would say what kind of stuff you're dealing with before you start talking to me about these things, or what kind of stuff you had taken to make it more blunt, although we have people from the Ministry of Interior here, I don't know. But this is the true thing, you know, a few back here, I was here attending the inauguration. It was a big dream. And again, we have to also mention a person which is King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (Rahmathu Allah alayhi)

[M177-06] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:05:14 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

And we, out of sheer respect for ourselves, we have to remember him as the person of creating this idea and his imagination that put us all in this huge vicinity and this huge gathering. So, it's only decent of us that we remember those who created a change and created an impact, because it's only then that people will be motivated to continue creating the change, and because they are going to get the recognition for it then and after. And as a society, I think we owe it to them. But let me take you back to what we have been doing over the last six months.

[M177-07] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:06:14 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

One, I was and will continue to be a believer of the bottom-up approach, that bottom-up approach can deliver us, because there is no better community to try a one bottom-up approach than this community. You're all graduate students. The faculty are of experience beyond anybody's imagination. So, as the employees of this university, it is an incubator of talent, and if I cannot exhaustively, or cannot as a board exhaust the talent of this vicinity, of its own people, I don't know what would be the right job. So, in earnest, I have initiated on behalf of the board some few town hall meetings, a few with the students, and the faculty, each is separate from the other, they were very productive town halls.

[M177-08] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:07:42 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

I remember the first town hall we had done with the student, I think we had a survey, because we had to rely on the student council. And unfortunately, the participation was 20 percent, but let me, even with that participation of 20 percent, I would like to go through a few things that we had done for the ---, based on the result of that survey.

[M177-09] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:08:21 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

Well, first of all, you know, one of the crippling things, that was crippling KAUST was Shaheen. And now, you know, I think everybody knows that Shaheen is up and kicking, and we're there, and I remember promising the people when I was visiting Shaheen that in my next visit, it will be up and running, it is up and running.

[M177-10] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:08:57 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

As I said, we've listened, I've listened to the student and let me take you through the result of the 20 percent responded to, because I want to make sure that those who did not participate can understand the value of each and every individual participation. It counts and I will show you how it counts and measure it with the result of the first survey.

[M177-11] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:09:33 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

Yes, I know, which is a good and healthy thing, that the last survey, which has just been finished, just a couple of days, I think, or it's been sift, the respondents were 60 percent. But I want to make sure that the next one will be 110 percent. How? I think you will enjoy what we are going to show you now, to make sure that you probably borrow some student from different universities to come and participate. There we get the 110 percent. So, it's not a new math science. You've asked for creating pathways for graduates to work in the kingdom. Work is underway with a primary residency, with the primary residency authority, to open eligibility for student prime residency, which would also allow a spouse to work in the kingdom.

[M177-12] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:10:55 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

In the meantime, graduates with job offers can transfer their Iqamas without leaving Saudi Arabia and those still job seeking will be able to extend their current Iqama for additional time and we have worked it out with his highness Prince Abdulaziz Bin Naif, Minister of Interior, to do that extension. However, it's only, I will only stop until I get that primary residency, because as I was walking around a while ago, I was telling you, we are not in the hostage taking business, but we would like to be in a good way in the hostage taking business by offering you better jobs than when you get anywhere in this whole world. And to be honest and to be candid, it was stupid not to have that a long time ago. So I would say we want you, we need you, and there is no better place that is more exciting for you to work, but Saudi Arabia.

[M177-13] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:12:31 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

I got excited, I know, I have to, one other ask, no, complaint. It's concerning the housing. We're pleased to inform you that the KAUST board just today, and that's why I got late, and Amin here suffered not having his lunch except at 4.30. And this is one technique that I managed to get the board to agree to everything, was to keep them lingering without lunch until we, and we made sure that that item be the last item, this way the amount of suffering goes to the utmost that they could have agreed to anything, which they did and it worked.

[M177-14] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:13:31 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

KAUST board approved a renewable, capital renewable program, we still have to be careful by taking it a further step because it requires some financial adjustments that we need to do, which will prioritize actually a housing upgrade plan to address the mold, call it the mold, the black mold issue that have caused health and allergy problem for some.

[M177-15] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:14:04 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

And in general, and in general, it would address the quality of housing issue, because again, it's the working place in its entirety that would make people focus on the real thing that they are here for, which is training, educating, and putting the right enables for that to happen at its full and this program will be addressed in about three years' time. Why? You know it better than me. We have to evacuate some people from their current housing, put them in different housing, fix this, we did it at KFUPM and because of that, I would do the following. I would ask you to bear with us, because it's a cumbersome job, but there is no other meaningful way of doing it but doing this approach. So, I seek your pardon for allowing us to have that three years, because it is shameful and should have been done a long time before.

[M177-16] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:15:24 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

Three, addressing the issue of dependent health insurance costs. KAUST will now cover health insurance costs for students and their dependents with the stipend deduction removed. It should have waited a couple of years not to graduate, but anyway. Improving the student community experience, and you on campus, by the way, 80 requests came. Well, Amin and I know and can sympathize, because your daughter has dogs, I have a son who has cats. So, finally it's coming, The Cat Hotel has been put together now, as you know. The campus asked for a pet care facility. It has opened, and it only took us two months, if I'm not mistaken, but it's offering boarding, day care, believe it or not, grooming, even Aramco did not do it for the employee of course and medical services to support student well-being.

[M177-17] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:17:08 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

Hotel costs, I have, luckily, we have Lubna Al Olayan as a board member, well as a committee member and a board member in one of the endowment companies. So, I approached her and she was kind enough to agree that, we have agreed for all those who are on campus that if they are visited by their families or friends, that they get a 30% discount. Not only, but even alumni. Because we really have a need to continue connecting with the connection with the alumni with Kaust. So, what is better than having to make sure that they have a meaningful way of coming back and visiting the university.

[M177-18] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:18:20 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

Now, we have strengthened the student and graduate support. A dedicated independent, which is something I've never heard about it, but I'm pronouncing it. Omdi person has been appointed to provide neutral and confidential support, ensuring great fairness and transparency for the student. That was something that you called for and now we have it, it's there and you have the right to approach.

[M177-19] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:18:58 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

Strengthening early career support. I think you know that we have held a fair, an employment fair. It was held in October to attract over 20 employers, resulting in job offers, we plan to do more to support student journey to find employment. Actually, we will make sure we have an experience with KFUPM, Aramco approach actually universities. So, I think I honestly believe that this thing can be can be happening within this year that we will have a regulated approach of how you should be approached. You don't have to approach people, the product of this university is a product that should be approached. In fact, people should line up to recruit you. You don't have to go to the workplace to be recruited. Your talent, your capability, your dignity is going to be looked after because you earned it.

[M177-20] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:20:25 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

Now I lost my card. There is some other issue. No, it's card seven. Strengthening the student graduate and graduate support. I dedicated independent, I'm sorry, now page eight if you don't mind.

[M177-21] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:20:53 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

Faculty, The faculty survey was just finished just recently and again, we will have a town hall. We will go through all of the result of that survey. I'm glad that the faculty believed the board better than the student. So, their participation is 80% now, which tells you a lot that people have created high expectation of delivering. I would have to tell you that with the help and support of the board, we will attend to your request, subject to having a town hall like what we did before to go through these results and if we can and have the mean and can do it, we shall do exactly again what you require to enable you to excel in doing your job and fulfil your message as an educator. It's very simple.

[M177-22] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:22:04 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

However, there was a calling, an urgent calling, which has to do with equality. There are employees that have been for years and years and years have not been equally treated. So, today with us, again, using the hunger approach, we have gotten an approval of the board that we attend to, we are actually ready to announce that the board has approved a new compensation and benefit framework to ensure equality and merit-based, consistent with nationality, consistent without nationality differential.

[M177-23] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:23:14 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

I don't want to prepare you, but it was disgusting to have people being treated differently simply because they belong to a different nation and talent is cross-border. It doesn't know creed. It doesn't know nationality. It doesn't know religion. It's all about your personal capability. It's meritocracy. What will get this place to go up high and noticeable is meritocracy and meritocracy only.

[M177-24] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:24:04 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

Now, I'm going to keep some of the details in my pocket because I was warned by the management that if you tell everything, maybe people would not participate in that town hall. So, as a word of encouragement, if you participate in that town hall, you will be able to know what is going to be forthcoming. But however, I can give you a bit of a flavour, it took me an arm and a leg to convince the management I should share it with you. But anyway, it's on the education allowance for independent, not eligible to attend the KAUST school that there will be an allowance for them and also, parent medical insurance for Saudi employees will be granted.

[M177-25] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:25:04 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

And more, if you are interested, come and attend, that's for the faculty. The students, of course, they are spoiled and they will become more spoiled with me, that's for sure. You know, we keep forgetting board, faculty, management and I intend not to make it, you know, look down on it. You are the real, ---, What is the product of the university? It's who graduates from this university. So, you have to focus on what you produce in the university. It's simple.

[M177-26] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:25:51 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

So I pity those people that do not understand that our success is by making you more successful. It's not a manaya. It's not being, oh, he's nice. He's kind. He's down to earth. No, we need you to succeed because only then we will demonstrate our success and without your success, we need to be changed because we're not doing the right thing. It's as simple as that. And it's not a choice, it is a mandate that we have to deliver.

[M177-27] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:26:41 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

As I was walking, and I need to close because, you know, Sir Edward has an ejector. He might eject me. I have one thing to share with you and two few words for the graduates. Bashir, you're here in front of me. Your dad, Professor Osama. Osama, this is Professor Osama Dabbous. He educated hundreds of students at KFUPM. I insisted that Bashir, his son who works for Aramco, to bring him from Dhahran, by any mean. You know why? His grandson, where is the other Osama? Where is the other Osama? Where is he? I don't see him. Can you come over? The grandfather Osama was not a Saudi, and he became a Saudi because he educated so many Saudis. So, that his son becomes a Saudi, and he works now for Aramco. For his grandson to be a Saudi, and he graduated with honour, and he is going to Oxford because of what? The Rhodes Scholarship.

[M177-28] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:29:05 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

So truly, welcome to the new Saudi Arabia. This is the new Saudi Arabia that doesn't know but meritocracy and talent and whoever wants to live with us, he's more than welcome. Whoever wants to share our dream, he's more than welcome. Whoever wants to be an accomplisher in Saudi Arabia, he is more than welcome. We should never let go with the idea that we should become the model of civility and we will have to rise and rise to be acquainted with the who's who in this global endeavour to modernity, civility, and growth, and prosperity.

[M177-29] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:30:03 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

And again as I was touring around all of you, all of you are welcome. All of you want you to be part of us and to be part of our fabric and our society and please if you want to come and work for us, stay and we will hug you and hold you until you say I have enough of you. Thank you.

[M177-30] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 00:30:43 · H.R.H. Minister of Energy Speaks at KAUST's Largest Graduation Ceremony in Its History · 2025-11-26 · مشاهدة عند هذا التوقيت

Better turn the microphone just in case ---.