Business Track
This track is designed for those who are interested in business operations, financial management, strategic planning, and branding strategies to drive organizational success and growth.
This track has four streams
Innovation
Communications
Finance & Internal Audit
Procurement
Innovation
Overview
This stream is designed for those who are passionate about driving forward-thinking solutions, fostering entrepreneurial spirit, and making an impact through transformative ideas and innovation.
The Innovation Department at KAUST is at the forefront of fostering creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit within the university community. Committed to driving innovation and bringing transformative ideas to life, the department serves as a catalyst for interdisciplinary research, industry partnerships, and technological advancement.
Qualifications
- Degrees Required: Management Information Systems | Sales
If you possess skills in MS Office, graphic design, project management, data analysis, or digital marketing, this stream is for you.
Opportunities
Trainees in this department will assist in facilitating engagement between KAUST and industry or government partners by contributing to the development of agreements, coordinating visits, and organizing meetings. They will participate in creating visit agendas and liaising with various departments throughout the university to ensure smooth coordination.
Moreover, trainees will gain experience in drafting and developing collaboration agreements using KAUST formats, following consultation with the KAUST legal team and under the supervision of their direct manager. They will also work on creating dashboards to manage key accounts, providing insights into engagement activities and pipeline status for each account.
Additionally, trainees will play a role in finalizing the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and conducting trials to ensure its effectiveness. Through these tasks, they will develop valuable skills in stakeholder engagement, agreement drafting, data management, and CRM utilization within an innovation-driven environment.
Degree Required: Management Information Systems | Sales
Communications
Overview
This stream is for those who are passionate about crafting compelling stories, shaping brand identities, and leveraging digital platforms to connect with diverse audiences.
Qualifications
Degree Required: Marketing & Communications
If you have an understanding of social media management, video production and development, and excellent command of written English/Arabic, this stream is for you.
Opportunities
The Global Branding and Communications department at KAUST serves as the driving force behind the university’s worldwide reputation and outreach efforts. Committed to enhancing KAUST’s brand presence and fostering effective communication strategies, the department employs innovative approaches to engage with diverse audiences across various platforms.
Trainees in this department will play a vital role in supporting the global branding and content teams in various aspects of social media content creation, marketing, and community management. Key responsibilities encompass creating concepts and producing engaging captions, videos, reels, and other original content tailored for diverse social media platforms. They will leverage KAUST networks and thought leaders to foster user engagement and enhance brand visibility, collaborating with stakeholders and communications strategists to develop content calendars and schedules aligned with deadlines and strategic objectives. Trainees will implement and manage social media boosting strategies to maximize reach and impact, while also monitoring, listening, and responding to user interactions to ensure alignment with KAUST’s content and engagement strategy. Additionally, they will assist in the rollout of the KAUST brand strategy across social media channels, ensuring consistent messaging and brand representation.
The Innovation Department at KAUST is at the forefront of fostering creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit within the university community. Committed to driving innovation and bringing transformative ideas to life, the department serves as a catalyst for interdisciplinary research, industry partnerships, and technological advancement.
Trainees in this department will play a vital role in preparing content and materials to bolster marketing campaigns led by the marketing & communications team. They will support the implementation of marketing strategies and campaigns aimed at promoting TAQADAM programs, events, and initiatives.
Responsibilities include preparing WhatsApp and email content, as well as drafting email copy for program communications. Trainees will actively participate in market research activities to gain insights into startup audiences, their media habits, and active channels. Additionally, they will aid in the creation and review of marketing collateral, spanning social media posts, email newsletters, and digital advertisements sourced from external vendors or the internal marketing & communications team.
Furthermore, trainees will collaborate closely with the creative team to develop visual assets and multimedia content tailored for marketing purposes. They will contribute innovative ideas during brainstorming sessions to enhance outreach and engagement with the target audience effectively. Identifying opportunities for program representation through startup events, podcasts, or ecosystem activities will also be part of their responsibilities.
Moreover, trainees will support in maintaining alignment with program partner SABB, staying updated on the latest marketing activities, and identifying co-marketing and amplification opportunities.
Finance & Internal Audit
Overview
This stream is designed for those who are enthusiastic about delving into the world of finance and eager to embark on a rewarding career in Finance or Internal Audit.
Qualifications
- Degree: BA or MA degree in Finance or Accounting
If you have some experience in financial systems, are a competent user of Microsoft Excel, Data Analytics and Data Visualization, this stream is for you
Opportunities
At KAUST, the Finance Department serves as the central hub for managing the university’s financial resources and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Comprised of skilled professionals with diverse financial expertise, the department oversees budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, and strategic financial planning initiatives.
Trainees in this department will play a pivotal role in providing financial information and analyses to key stakeholders, including Budget Owners such as VPs, Directors, Business Managers, and fellow members of the Finance Division team. Moreover, they will actively contribute to the annual budgeting process by assisting Finance Business Partners in preparing headcount and operating expenditure budgets. This entails supporting quarterly reforecasting exercises and collaborating closely with Business Managers to grasp the current financial landscape and forecast plans for the remainder of the fiscal year. Trainees will review financial data, pinpointing variances, and seeking explanations to comprehend the financial implications of ongoing activities. Additionally, they will undergo training to familiarize themselves with the SAP Finance system, enabling them to assist in tasks such as setting up new cost centers, managing data, and uploading budgets. Serving as the primary point of contact for designated Business Managers, trainees will proactively address ad-hoc queries and requests for financial information, ensuring timely and accurate responses to facilitate informed decision-making processes.
The Internal Audit team is responsible for evaluating the University’s risks and eliminating its threats by improving its efficiency of operations, protecting its assets and ensuring that it is legally compliant.
Trainees in this department will be responsible for gathering and analyzing information to assess the nature of operations and controls, essential for supporting internal audit planning. They will actively participate in the preparation of audit programs and assist in executing all necessary audit procedures, employing appropriate techniques and applications. Moreover, trainees will compile evidentiary information and data to form the basis of Audit Observation Worksheets (AOWs), which serve as the foundation for developing an informed, objective opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of existing systems and the efficiency of reviewed activities. Additionally, they will be involved in drafting AOWs, contribute to the preparation of Internal Audit reports, and provide support in determining the status of open audit report observations.
Procurement
Overview
This stream is designed for those who are eager to gain hands-on experience in procurement processes and are passionate about contributing to efficient and effective procurement operations.
Qualifications
- Degree: BA or MA degree in Industrial Engineering | Business Administration | Management Information Systems
If you are adept at using MS Office, have basic knowledge of procurement processes, and can use e-procurement applications, this stream is for you.
Opportunities
The Procurement Department at KAUST is responsible for managing the acquisition of goods and services necessary to support the university’s operations and strategic objectives. Comprised of skilled professionals, the department oversees the entire procurement process, from identifying sourcing needs and evaluating suppliers to negotiating contracts and ensuring compliance with procurement policies and regulations.
Trainees within this department will be responsible for managing various aspects of the procurement process, including handling project tenders, purchase requisitions, and issuing Purchase Orders. Additionally, they will play a key role in generating weekly procurement requisition reports, assisting in sourcing new vendors, and facilitating vendor registration processes. Trainees will also be involved in amending catalog orders, following up with Accounts Payable on pending invoices, and supporting supplier management activities.
Beacon Development offers comprehensive environmental consultancy services, strategic guidance, and environmental monitoring across the Red Sea region. As a prominent leader in environmental consulting in Saudi Arabia, it provides invaluable support and expertise to numerous giga-projects, government and corporate entities, as well as non-profit organizations and local initiatives. With a focus on research and assessment, Beacon Development is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and safeguarding the environmental integrity of the region.
Trainees in this department will collaborate closely with the procurement team to gain comprehensive insights into the entire procurement process cycle. Their responsibilities will include initiating vendor registration, raising project requests, and diligently following up on the status of these requests until purchase order issuance. Additionally, they will create service entry sheets, oversee payments with accounts payable, and provide support in inventory management and transportation fleet management.
Degree Required: Business Administration | Accounting
