KAUST recently signed an agreement with NESMA Holding Co. to open an embroidery center in the village of Thuwal. This initiative is part of KAUST and NESMA’s commitment to social responsibility and to raising the standard of living in the region. This initiative is also a realization of NESMA’s vision to establish “a factory in every village" and to participate in creating job opportunities for Saudi women, as well as people with disabilities.

The new center will be comprised of the same departments found in NESMA’s centers in Jeddah and Khulais—sewing, electronic embroidery, design and thermal printing. All employees will be trained to operate the individual sections and, at full capacity, the center will be able to employ up to 60 women.

NESMA President Saleh Al-Turki expressed his delight about the agreement by saying, "the main objective of the project is to create meaningful career opportunities for Saudi women and to help raise the standard of living for the people of Thuwal."

Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, KAUST Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance, said that KAUST’s contribution is part of the University's mission to help develop Thuwal village, which includes creating good job opportunities. Al-Nasr also pointed out how KAUST has continually been committed to the development and modernization of the village since the University’s founding.

KAUST has supervised all new development projects in Thuwal and the University cultivates a great sense of social responsibility towards the people of its host town, as is the case for all well-established international universities and scientific institutions. Al-Nasr explained how such a fundamental commitment is of great importance to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who pays considerable interest to the development and welfare of the people of Saudi Arabia.

KAUST has taken the lead in helping to develop Thuwal, with projects such as the establishment of a modern port for fishermen, a beautifully built cornice and various other ongoing infrastructure projects.