Sir Ed Byrne, the former President and Principal of King’s College London, has been appointed as the next President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). He will take up the position in January 2024, succeeding Dr. Tony Chan who served as KAUST President for the past eight years.
Sir Ed Byrne brings a wealth of experience in leading top-tier universities. He led King’s College London for 10 years, overseeing significant growth in research, student numbers, and international collaborations. Under his leadership, King’s achieved its highest ever position in the global university rankings. He also held key roles at the University of Oxford and the British Council.
This appointment is seen as a major coup for KAUST. Sir Ed Byrne’s reputation for academic excellence and commitment to global collaboration aligns perfectly with KAUST’s mission to be a leading center for scientific discovery and technological innovation.
“I am honored to be appointed as the next President of KAUST,” said Sir Ed Byrne. “KAUST has established itself as a truly remarkable institution, and I am excited to work with the faculty, staff, and students to build upon its success.”
His appointment comes at a time of significant growth for KAUST. The university has recently expanded its research facilities and is attracting top talent from around the world. Sir Ed Byrne’s leadership is expected to help solidify KAUST’s position as a leading global research university.
