Back to Top

Welcome to KAUST: Your IT Starter Guide

16 August, 2026

WELCOME TO KAUST
New here?
Welcome back?
Either way, we’ve got you.

Whether you’re starting your MS or PhD journey at KAUST or returning for another year, KAUST IT is here to help you get connected, get working, and find support when you need it.

WiFi Email Storage Research Support

Welcome to our new MS and PhD students, and welcome back to everyone returning to KAUST.

Starting a new academic year comes with enough things to figure out. Your technology should be one of the easier ones. Your KAUST account gives you access to the services you’ll use across campus, from WiFi and email to software, printing, storage, research computing, and secure access when you’re away from campus.

FIND US ON CAMPUS

Come meet KAUST IT

Have a question? Need help setting something up? Or just want to know what is available? Come find us.

THIS WEEK + NEXT WEEK
Student Center IT Booth
1:30 PM to 4:00 PM | Building 18 Lobby

Stop by for help, questions, setup support, or a quick introduction to the IT services available to you.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
New Student Orientation Expo
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Building 19, Level 3

Look for the KAUST IT booth, meet the team, and get answers while you explore the wider orientation expo.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
IT Services for Students
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM | Building 9, Level 2, Room 2322

Join us for a practical tour of the main IT services available to students, what to set up now, what you may need later, and where to get help.

YOUR IT STARTER KIT

Start here

You don’t need to memorize every IT service. We’ve put the essentials together so you can find what you need when you need it.

BEST PLACE TO START
Student Getting Started Guide

Your one-stop guide to accounts, WiFi, email, software, storage, printing, VPN, research tools, and getting help at KAUST.

Open the student guide
ACCOUNT SECURITY
Set up DUO

Add secure two-step sign-in to your KAUST account before you need it.

Set up DUO
YOUR ACCOUNT
Forgot your password?

Reset your KAUST password and get back into your services.

Reset your password
OFF CAMPUS
Connect to KAUST VPN

Access internal KAUST systems securely when you’re away from campus.

Set up VPN
WORK + STUDY
Work, study, and research anywhere

Learn which KAUST tools keep you connected when you’re working away from campus.

Open the guide
HOME WIFI
Improve your home WiFi

Simple tips to get better wireless performance at home.

View WiFi tips
SOFTWARE
Install approved software

Use Software Center on Windows or Self Service+ on Mac to install approved apps yourself.

Software installation guide
PRINTING
Find a printer

Send your document through Green Printing and collect it from a shared campus printer.

Find a printer
YOUR DATA
Look after your data

Learn how to store, share, and work with KAUST information responsibly.

Data responsibility guide
CAMPUS APP
KAUSTCentral

Bus information, dining, events, your digital ID, and printing are all available in the KAUSTCentral app.

Download KAUSTCentral
RESEARCH
More power when you need it

KAUST provides high-performance computing, large research storage, GitLab, and remote or virtual workstations to support your research.

Open KAUST GitLab
NEED A HUMAN?
We live in Building 14.

If you prefer to talk to someone face-to-face, come visit KAUST IT in Building 14. Our Walk-In Support Desk is through the glass doors on the right.

Open Building 14 in Google Maps
HELP IS NEVER FAR AWAY

Need IT support?

Whether you know exactly what you need or have no idea where to start, there is a simple way in.

IT SERVICE CENTER
Need something from IT? Start here.

The new IT Service Center is where you can request IT services, report an issue, communicate directly with IT, and track your requests from one place.

Open the IT Service Center
Submit a request, report an issue, or check your tickets
Browse the IT Service Catalog
Find the right service or request before opening a ticket
Watch the quick walkthrough
See how to find and request IT services
CALL
910
Call the IT Service Desk from campus.
CHAT
VITA
Ask questions and find help online.
VISIT
Building 14
Come see the IT team in person.
EXPLORE
it.kaust.edu.sa
Guides, software, services, and IT information.
KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING
Keep an eye on IT Alerts

You can see the current IT Status on the KAUST home page whenever you want to check whether services are working normally.

Every Thursday morning, we also send an IT Alerts email highlighting planned activities and maintenance happening over the weekend.

You can view current alerts, previous alerts, and scheduled maintenance activities at any time on the IT website.

View IT Alerts
TALK TO US
Tell us what you think

We take your feedback seriously, whether you’re happy with something, frustrated, confused, disappointed, or think we’ve done something really well.

We need to hear from you. If we don’t know what is working or what is causing problems, we can’t improve it or make sure we keep doing the things that help.

Give IT feedback
You don’t need to memorize any of this.

Just remember where to start. Visit the Student Getting Started Guide, browse the IT Service Catalog, open the IT Service Center, or come find us in Building 14. If you’re not sure what you need, ask us. That is quite literally why we are here.

Student Guide Service Catalog IT Service Center
Welcome to KAUST, and have a great academic year.