KAUST officially opened on September 23, 2009, at an inauguration ceremony, where King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud gave a speech where he stated that places like the university that "embrace all people are the first line of defence against extremists".
The inauguration of KAUST on September 23, 2009, marked a significant milestone. In his inaugural speech, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud stressed that institutions like KAUST, which foster diversity and inclusivity, are essential in preventing the spread of extremism.