King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) - SAP Innovation Awards 2025
Learn how King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), a leading research institution and city, partnered with SAP AppHaus to address fragmented digital systems and communication challenges. They developed KAUSTCentral, a secure, unified hub and super app, enhancing service access, user engagement, and operational efficiency for over 100 nationalities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic - 5265. Download the DocumentPUBLIC
Entry Pitch Deck
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
(KAUST)
KAUST Smart
Higher education and research
Connecting communities and unifying the digital
ecosystem with the KAUSTCentral super app
Entry Pitch Deck
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
(KAUST)
KAUST Smart
Higher education and research
Connecting communities and unifying the digital
ecosystem with the KAUSTCentral super app
COMPANY NAME:
HEADQUARTERS:
INDUSTRY:
WEBSITE:
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES:
Company information
2
King Abdullah University of Science
and Technology (KAUST)
Thuwal, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Higher education and research
www.kaust.edu.sa
www.kaustcentral.kaust.edu.sa
>5,500 staff and students
190 faculty members
>8,000 community members
Founded in 2009, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
(KAUST) is a world-class research university on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea
coast, advancing science and technology through interdisciplinary
innovation. KAUST serves students, global academia, and industry
partners, solving tomorrow’s challenges through cutting-edge research
and consultancy.
Committed to sustainability, KAUST integrates energy-efficient
infrastructure with projects addressing climate action, reducing and
capturing carbon dioxide emissions. KAUST embodies an intelligent
enterprise, leveraging data to optimize operations and promote social
and environmental responsibility.
PUBLIC
HEADQUARTERS:
INDUSTRY:
WEBSITE:
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES:
Company information
2
King Abdullah University of Science
and Technology (KAUST)
Thuwal, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Higher education and research
www.kaust.edu.sa
www.kaustcentral.kaust.edu.sa
>5,500 staff and students
190 faculty members
>8,000 community members
Founded in 2009, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
(KAUST) is a world-class research university on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea
coast, advancing science and technology through interdisciplinary
innovation. KAUST serves students, global academia, and industry
partners, solving tomorrow’s challenges through cutting-edge research
and consultancy.
Committed to sustainability, KAUST integrates energy-efficient
infrastructure with projects addressing climate action, reducing and
capturing carbon dioxide emissions. KAUST embodies an intelligent
enterprise, leveraging data to optimize operations and promote social
and environmental responsibility.
PUBLIC
CHALLENGE: SOLUTION: OUTCOME:
KAUSTCentral
3
Energy reduction in our smart offices
with “My Workplace” implemented
Penetration and outreach in a
community of >14,000 members
External vendors
onboarded
10%
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
87% >10
• KAUST, a world-class research institution and
city, faced a fragmented digital landscape with
disconnected systems managed by different teams.
• Secure access to corporate and city services was
needed for staff and residents without formal
contractual ties.
• Communication challenges emerged due to the
absence of a unified platform, especially during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The diversity of KAUST’s dynamic population,
representing over 100 nationalities with varying
residency durations, highlighted the need for
cohesive and inclusive solutions.
In collaboration with SAP AppHaus, KAUST developed
a user-centered innovation methodology, guiding the
creation of KAUSTCentral:
• Secure, unified hub and super app, enabling smooth
service access for community members and visitors
• Support on SAP Business Technology Platform and
integration of SAP Mobile Services, SAP Document
service, SAP HANA, SAP Push Notification 365, and
SAP Business Application Studio
• Robust user identity validation framework, helping
ensure cybersecurity compliance
• Scalable ecosystem that enhances service delivery,
user engagement, and operational efficiency
• Establishment of a user-centric innovation
methodology, leveraging agile practices to govern
the journey and drive cross-department collaboration
• Launch of the KAUSTCentral ecosystem, a
groundbreaking platform unifying the digital
landscape, hosting more than 27 features, and
significantly boosting user satisfaction
• Implementation of a secure identity validation system,
enabling personalized, safe access to corporate and
city services for community members, including visitors
• Enhanced communication channels, replacing
outdated methods with targeted, real-time updates,
fostering engagement and inclusivity
PUBLIC
Internal systems
integrated
>10
KAUSTCentral
3
Energy reduction in our smart offices
with “My Workplace” implemented
Penetration and outreach in a
community of >14,000 members
External vendors
onboarded
10%
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
87% >10
• KAUST, a world-class research institution and
city, faced a fragmented digital landscape with
disconnected systems managed by different teams.
• Secure access to corporate and city services was
needed for staff and residents without formal
contractual ties.
• Communication challenges emerged due to the
absence of a unified platform, especially during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The diversity of KAUST’s dynamic population,
representing over 100 nationalities with varying
residency durations, highlighted the need for
cohesive and inclusive solutions.
In collaboration with SAP AppHaus, KAUST developed
a user-centered innovation methodology, guiding the
creation of KAUSTCentral:
• Secure, unified hub and super app, enabling smooth
service access for community members and visitors
• Support on SAP Business Technology Platform and
integration of SAP Mobile Services, SAP Document
service, SAP HANA, SAP Push Notification 365, and
SAP Business Application Studio
• Robust user identity validation framework, helping
ensure cybersecurity compliance
• Scalable ecosystem that enhances service delivery,
user engagement, and operational efficiency
• Establishment of a user-centric innovation
methodology, leveraging agile practices to govern
the journey and drive cross-department collaboration
• Launch of the KAUSTCentral ecosystem, a
groundbreaking platform unifying the digital
landscape, hosting more than 27 features, and
significantly boosting user satisfaction
• Implementation of a secure identity validation system,
enabling personalized, safe access to corporate and
city services for community members, including visitors
• Enhanced communication channels, replacing
outdated methods with targeted, real-time updates,
fostering engagement and inclusivity
PUBLIC
Internal systems
integrated
>10
4
KAUSTCentral is more than an app; it is the
foundation of KAUST’s digital ecosystem,
smoothly integrating services to enhance
daily life. By leveraging advanced
technology, we have created an innovative,
user-centric platform that streamlines
operations, fosters connectivity, and sets a
new standard for smart communities.
Saham Al-Husseini
Director, KAUST Smart, Technologies and Special Projects,
National Transformation Institute, KAUST
PUBLIC
KAUSTCentral is more than an app; it is the
foundation of KAUST’s digital ecosystem,
smoothly integrating services to enhance
daily life. By leveraging advanced
technology, we have created an innovative,
user-centric platform that streamlines
operations, fosters connectivity, and sets a
new standard for smart communities.
Saham Al-Husseini
Director, KAUST Smart, Technologies and Special Projects,
National Transformation Institute, KAUST
PUBLIC
COMPANY NAME:
Participating partner information
5
Extentia Information Technology,
A Merkle Company
Extentia collaborated with KAUST to create KAUSTCentral, a transformative digital platform
supported on SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP). By integrating user-centric
design, smooth authentication, and multiservice capabilities, Extentia enabled KAUST’s
vision of a smart city ecosystem, delivering convenience, sustainability, and an enhanced
user experience for faculty, students, employees, visitors, and residents.
PUBLIC
As KAUST’s implementation partner, we
developed KAUSTCentral using services
supported on SAP BTP. This unified platform
offers an innovative, intuitive, and
comprehensive solution, transforming and
bundling intelligently managed experiences
as part of the smart city concept.
Devashish Nayak
Vice President—Delivery
Extentia Information Technology,
A Merkle Company
Participating partner information
5
Extentia Information Technology,
A Merkle Company
Extentia collaborated with KAUST to create KAUSTCentral, a transformative digital platform
supported on SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP). By integrating user-centric
design, smooth authentication, and multiservice capabilities, Extentia enabled KAUST’s
vision of a smart city ecosystem, delivering convenience, sustainability, and an enhanced
user experience for faculty, students, employees, visitors, and residents.
PUBLIC
As KAUST’s implementation partner, we
developed KAUSTCentral using services
supported on SAP BTP. This unified platform
offers an innovative, intuitive, and
comprehensive solution, transforming and
bundling intelligently managed experiences
as part of the smart city concept.
Devashish Nayak
Vice President—Delivery
Extentia Information Technology,
A Merkle Company
GLOBAL CHALLENGES
Challenges
BUSINESS CHALLENGES
6
Numerous global challenges have influenced the development of
KAUSTCentral:
• Health and well-being: Promoting both physical and mental
health for employees and community members to address rising
rates of anxiety and stress
• Sustainability: Creating smart cities that are environmentally
friendly and aligned with global sustainability goals
• Inclusivity: Ensuring that community members feel safe,
respected, and valued as well as improving access to information
and preventing social isolation
• Digital transformation: Adapting to AI, Big Data, and automation
to meet evolving technological demands
• Cybersecurity: Strengthening data protection in the face of
increasing cyber threats
As a dynamic city and campus hosting a diverse community,
KAUST faces critical challenges impacting operational efficiency
and quality of life:
• Silos among business teams, hindering collaboration and
service delivery
• Limited awareness and secure access to services for
community members, beyond employees and students,
affecting inclusivity
• Disconnected communication channels, leading to
fragmented user experiences
• Inconsistency in delivering timely information to targeted
user groups
• Limited visibility into space utilization, hindering data-driven
decisions
• Need to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies,
governance, and data privacy regulations
• Insufficient focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions,
optimizing energy use, and promoting sustainability
PUBLIC
Challenges
BUSINESS CHALLENGES
6
Numerous global challenges have influenced the development of
KAUSTCentral:
• Health and well-being: Promoting both physical and mental
health for employees and community members to address rising
rates of anxiety and stress
• Sustainability: Creating smart cities that are environmentally
friendly and aligned with global sustainability goals
• Inclusivity: Ensuring that community members feel safe,
respected, and valued as well as improving access to information
and preventing social isolation
• Digital transformation: Adapting to AI, Big Data, and automation
to meet evolving technological demands
• Cybersecurity: Strengthening data protection in the face of
increasing cyber threats
As a dynamic city and campus hosting a diverse community,
KAUST faces critical challenges impacting operational efficiency
and quality of life:
• Silos among business teams, hindering collaboration and
service delivery
• Limited awareness and secure access to services for
community members, beyond employees and students,
affecting inclusivity
• Disconnected communication channels, leading to
fragmented user experiences
• Inconsistency in delivering timely information to targeted
user groups
• Limited visibility into space utilization, hindering data-driven
decisions
• Need to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies,
governance, and data privacy regulations
• Insufficient focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions,
optimizing energy use, and promoting sustainability
PUBLIC