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KAUST Social Responsibility, as with many other organizations, has worked to adjust how it conducts its programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. With tactical changes to delivery and the support of participants and other stakeholders, ongoing projects and upcoming activities have been adapted to ensure they can continue and have a positive impact.
The 2019-20 Capacity Building Program (CBP) for Thuwal young professionals began in October 2019 with English Language Training taking place at classrooms in the Thuwal Community Centre. Following successful completion of the English course, 50 participants enrolled on the next phase of the program, Computer Information Technology certification (CIT), in January 2020. Classes and end-of-module module assessments took place in dedicated classrooms on the KAUST campus. When lockdown restrictions were implemented in the Kingdom in March, the students switched to remote learning and remain on target to complete their training in June.
Our Young Learners Development Program (YLDP) is a rolling series of initiatives and projects designed to help the next generation of students reach their full potential by developing skills in STEM, English, digital literacy, soft skills and environmental awareness. Planning is continuing for upcoming projects, including the YLDP Summer School, and Environment Program for the 2020-21 school year, with contingency plans in case the situation still requires remote learning. The current English Language Training courses being delivered to 5 Grade 12 students, is now in its third week of virtual learning.
The Sharing is Caring campaign takes place each year in advance of Ramadan and is an opportunity for the KAUST community to prepare meaningful gifts and messages of celebration for its neighbors in Thuwal. Unfortunately, adherence to restrictions to protect against COVID-19 has meant that preparation this year has had to be without the valued input of the KAUST community, but, with support from our partners in Thuwal, the Albir Society and specially trained volunteers, over 1100 boxes of healthy food items will be. The volunteers received virtual training from KAUST Health & Safety on food safety best practices while handling deliveries, and also completed the Saudi Red Crescent online certification in infection control, to ensure an understanding of and compliance with strict hygiene protocols.
These adjusted activities are just one part of the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the direction of University president Tony Chan, a group of faculty has formed the Rapid Research Response Team (R3T) with the focus of collaboration with and support of the Kingdom’s healthcare sector to help combat the spread of COVID-19. The Team is focused on the development of rapid diagnostic platforms, genomic analysis of the virus and bioinformatics tools to help track the spread and evolution of the disease, in close contact with the Saudi Center for Disease Control and the Ministry of Health. Check the R3T website to keep updated on KAUST’s contribution to the global response.
KAUST Social Responsibility is dedicated to advancing the KAUST mission of being a good neighbor and responsible citizen, and ensuring that intellectual and social capital is used to sustainably improve quality of life in our neighboring communities.
April 20, 2020
