KAUST: Sowing Seeds of Change in Saudi Arabia @NYTimes

Michael Slackman's article in today's @NYTimes poses some interesting questions about KAUST, its impact on Saudi society and indeed the future of the Kingdom. I've posted on KAUST recently, noting the progress it represents in its approach to curriculum and the classroom. (There are no departments, professors are given contracts instead of tenure, and most importantly, classes are Coed.) Slackman describes these as well, but questions their influence on society beyond the walls of the gated KAUST community. He cites the experience of Saudi Aramco (the company built KAUST, instead of the Ministry of Higher Education). Although Aramco has been present in the Kingdom nearly as long as anyone's been drilling oil there, its Western cultural norms do not transcend the walls of the Aramco compound.

As Slackman points out, there are many reasons for this, not least of which the conservative nature of Saudi society. It will be interesting to watch KAUST and its reception in Saudi Arabia. The question is whether this is the beginning of a revolution, evolution or just another walled garden.