King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) will launch the annual festival of science, the Winter Enrichment Program (WEP), running January 13 to January 24, 2019. The Festival will play host to 12 keynote lectures by international experts including a Nobel Laureate, world-leading experts in sleep, consciousness, nutrition, the universe, dreams, society and history, as well as writers, artists, film makers, curators and creators. Keynote lectures are complemented by workshops, exhibitions, cutting-edge virtual reality and immersive displays. "This exciting festival of expansive thinking, coordinated, programmed and produced by our university, will bring distinguished keynote speakers, thought leaders, guests, conversations, ideas, inspiration and new knowledge to our students, our faculty and many others throughout Saudi Arabia and internationally." Said Dr. Tony Chan, President of KAUST. "Time is perhaps the most universal and unifying aspect of life. The inspiration for this year's festival came from the idea of proposing reflection on how different aspects of what we measure or perceive as time impact people and how science and culture can help to improve quality of life. "Visitors can also explore what we call consciousness, the basis of intelligence and representation of reality, the fundamental questions regarding the Universe and those global values that we learn from history that make humanity one thing." Said Chair of the Winter Enrichment Program Dr. Valerio Orlando, Professor of Bioscience at KAUST.
