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A Behind-the-Scenes Upgrade for Microsoft 365 at KAUST

20 January, 2026

#InsideIT

More Value, Same Tools: What’s New in Microsoft 365 at KAUST

KAUST IT has completed a behind-the-scenes update to our Microsoft 365 environment under a new campus agreement. This article highlights the end-user features now available within Microsoft 365, and how to get started.

At a glance: What this means for you

Who benefits most
Staff and faculty who use Microsoft 365 and Outlook for email and collaboration.
Who is not directly impacted
Students and faculty who use Gmail and Google Workspace. Their day-to-day experience remains the same.
What’s changed
Your core Microsoft 365 tools stay the same, but additional capabilities are now available within the platform as part of the updated campus agreement.
Key features now available in Microsoft 365
  • Power BI Pro to create, publish, and share dashboards
  • Viva Insights for personal productivity and focus time
  • Expanded Power Automate and Power Apps capabilities for more advanced workflows and apps
  • Large online events in Microsoft Teams
  • Meeting transcripts and recaps for easier follow-up
What’s not changing: Your email platform, storage, and day-to-day Microsoft 365 experience.

Both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace remain available at KAUST. Which platform you use, along with available features, depends on your affiliation and role at the university.

Data and dashboards

Power BI Pro: Create, publish, and share dashboards

This update does not simply provide access to Power BI. It provides Power BI Pro, which unlocks capabilities beyond basic viewing.

  • Create your own dashboards and reports
  • Publish and share dashboards with colleagues
  • Collaborate on reports across teams and departments
How do I start?
  1. Open Power BI and sign in with your KAUST Microsoft account
  2. Explore sample dashboards or connect your own data
  3. Start small, even a single visual can be useful
Personal productivity

Viva Insights: Personal productivity insights

Viva Insights is a personal productivity tool built into Microsoft 365 that helps you reflect on how you work and suggests small ways to protect focus and balance. Viva Insights is personal and private, and insights are visible only to you.

  • Protect focus time
  • Understand meeting-heavy days or weeks
  • Set quiet hours and healthier boundaries
How do I start?
  1. Open Microsoft Teams
  2. Search for Viva Insights and open the app
  3. Explore the dashboard, no setup required
Automate and simplify

Power Automate and Power Apps: More room to grow

KAUST already uses Power Automate and Power Apps for everyday workflows and simple applications. With the recent Microsoft 365 update, expanded Power Platform capabilities are now available to support more advanced and scalable solutions.

  • Use more advanced connectors in automations and apps
  • Build solutions that scale beyond simple list-based scenarios
  • Reduce blockers where advanced scenarios previously required separate licensing
Who benefits most
Administrative and operational teams, research support groups, and power users improving cross-department processes.
How do I start?
  1. Explore templates in Power Automate
  2. Explore examples in Power Apps
  3. Start with one small process and build from there
Events and webinars

Large online events in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams can support large, structured online events such as academic talks, seminars, and town halls, not just regular meetings.

  • Better structure for large audiences
  • Clear roles for organizers and presenters
  • A smoother experience for attendees
How do I start?
  1. When scheduling in Teams, look for event-style options
  2. Plan roles such as organizer and presenter
  3. Contact KAUST IT if you are planning a large or high-visibility event
Meetings that last

Meeting transcripts and recaps

Meetings are easier to follow and revisit when key discussions do not disappear afterward. Teams supports meeting transcripts and related artifacts to support follow-up and clarity.

  • Helps participants catch up and revisit decisions
  • Supports accessibility and inclusion
  • Reduces follow-up confusion
How do I start?
  1. Enable transcription when organizing a Teams meeting
  2. Let participants know transcription is enabled
  3. Revisit the meeting chat afterward to find transcripts and related content

One platform, more value

These capabilities are part of the Microsoft 365 environment at KAUST. You do not need to use everything, but knowing what is available helps you choose the right tools when you need them.

KAUST IT is here to support you in exploring what works best for your role.