The school has the world's top scientific research equipment and laboratories, and is committed to promoting global scientific and technological progress through interdisciplinary research, education and innovation. ? [The school-building concept draws lessons from the "small but refined" model of California Institute of Technology? At present, the world only recruits master students and doctoral students, not undergraduates. The official language of this university is English, and it is one of the most international universities in the world. By the end of 20 16, there were 940 graduate students, accounting for 69% of international students? ; Most of the school staff come from developed areas in West Asia and East Asia, accounting for more than 90%.
As a young university, KAUST has become one of the fastest growing academic institutions in the world. According to the ranking report of QS World University Ranking-"Citations per Faculty", KAUST ranked first in the world for two consecutive years on 20 15 and 20 16, surpassing world-class universities such as Stanford University, Zurich Institute of Technology and Cornell University, highlighting KAUST's influence in the global scientific research field. ? According to academic ranking of world universities (ARWU), in 20 16 years, KAUST ranked 29th in the world in engineering field and within the range of10/-150 in science field.