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In brief A team of researchers from KAUST published their research in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters on April 1, 2015. Associate Professor of Marine Science Michael Berumen et al's research overturned the prevailing paradigm by showing that whale sharks (R. typus) observe year-round residency by simply living at greater depths further offshore for periods during the year. The team was recognized for their combined use of visual sighting and acoustic telemetry of whale sharks. KAUST welcomed a group of Saudi Aramco retirees to the campus on March 16 as part of the Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion. Over 600 retirees from around the world visited the Kingdom during Saudi Aramco’s two-week reunion to participate in excursions, events and tours. As part of the Jeddah excursion, Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance Nadhmi Al-Nasr and General Counsel William Stamm welcomed the group to KAUST. The group toured the labs, library and museum, remarking on the exceptional opportunity to become reconnected to Saudi Arabia, as many of them still consider it their home.
The Office of the Arts will host several performances in April. Don’t miss the upcoming concerts featuring our own KAUST musicians at the Community Concert on April 20 and the Sunset Concert on April 22. Come discover the hidden talents in our community at the annual Talent Show on April 30. The 2016 Artists of KAUST exhibit will open with a reception on April 22 from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. in the University Library. The exhibition will run through May 5, showcasing paintings, photography, textiles, jewelry, sculpture and ceramics created by the KAUST community. The Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) team has called for proposals for the 2016 WEP event. Proposals should be aimed at developing interdisciplinary activities to create a sense of community at KAUST. As of publication, the deadline for submissions is April 30. Email ContactWEP@kaust.edu. sa for more information. WEP 2016 will take place from January 10 to 21, 2016.
The Beacon Volume 5, Issue 8 PUBLISHED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
The Beacon Staff Managing Editors: Michelle D’Antoni, Salah Sindi Editor: Nicholas Demille Designer: Mahjubeh R. Mashhadi Arabic Editor: Saad Al-Husainan Writers: Caitlin Clark, David Murphy, Meres Weche Photographer: Ginger Lisanti Translator: Adel Alrefaie
The Beacon is published monthly. © King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
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THE BEACON | APRIL 2015
Cover: KAUST celebrates the arrival of Shaheen on campus. 1. Participants of the 2015 Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion pose with Nadhmi Al-Nasr and William Stamm during their visit to KAUST. 2. The KAUST Petrobowl team receives their Middle East award. From left to right: Scott Berdahl, Stepan Shpakov, Ahmed Saad, Petrobowl judge Robert Kuchinski and Dias Urozayev.