Podcast: In conversation with Tony Chan

Dr. Chan reflects on his presidency at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), offering a rare, firsthand account of what it takes to build a Western-style research university within a rapidly changing Saudi Arabia. From navigating cultural expectations and national ambitions to attracting global talent, he shares how leadership operates at the intersection of academia, geopolitics, and societal transformation. The conversation widens to the growing political pressure on U.S. universities, the erosion of public trust in higher education, and what institutional leaders must do to protect the “soul” of the university while responding to real-world constraints.

Topics covered in the episode include:

• Why KAUST adopted US-style research culture and governance

• Fitting KAUST into the local academic ecosystem

• Recruiting global faculty and top Saudi students

• Political pressure on US universities and funding threats

• How top institutions might evolve by 2040

• AI hype versus evidence, and the risk of another AI winter

With deep technical expertise and a global lens, Dr. Chan brings clarity to some of the most pressing questions facing universities today — from national security concerns to AI’s impact on knowledge, equity, and scientific leadership.

Whether you’re an academic leader, policymaker, researcher, or simply curious about how higher education is evolving worldwide, this episode offers thoughtful, unfiltered insight into leadership in a fractured global landscape.