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Professor Sir Edward Byrne to Lead KAUST as President

Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC. SPA
Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC. SPA
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Professor Sir Edward Byrne to Lead KAUST as President

Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC. SPA
Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC. SPA

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) announced on Wednesday the appointment of Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC as its new president, effective September 1.

Byrne's appointment marks a significant milestone for KAUST as the university continues its transformative journey through the implementation of its Accelerating Impact Strategy. His extensive background in academia and industry uniquely positions him to propel KAUST in supporting the goals of Vision 2030 and solidifying its standing as a leading research technology university.

A statement said that by translating research advancements into practical innovations, fostering robust collaborations with public and private sectors, and enhancing KAUST's role in economic development, Byrne will guide the institution into a new era of growth and impact.

His previous roles include President and Principal of King’s College London and President of Monash University, where he led significant expansions and research initiatives. Byrne brings a wealth of experience, expertise and academic excellence across various sectors, said the statement.

“As the University embarks on a new era delivering its Accelerating Impact Strategy, it is an honor to join an academic community at the forefront of translating research into economically productive innovations for the benefit of society across the Kingdom and the world,” the statement quoted Byrne as saying.

"Drawing on my extensive career leading top-ranked global universities and visionary approaches to scientific discovery, I welcome the opportunity to lead an Institution that is paving the way for future progress and is committed to making the discoveries that will power tomorrow.”

Aligned with Vision 2030, KAUST’s focus on research, development and innovation is central to driving economic diversification and technological advancement in the Kingdom. The University's efforts in these areas support the Kingdom's ambitions.

Byrne succeeds Professor Tony Chan, who significantly enhanced KAUST's alignment with Vision 2030, expanding its global research and academic influence.

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Debby Pours More than a Foot of Rain on Coastal Georgia, South Carolina

A street is flooded by Tropical Storm Debby on August 6, 2024 in Savannah, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
A street is flooded by Tropical Storm Debby on August 6, 2024 in Savannah, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Debby Pours More than a Foot of Rain on Coastal Georgia, South Carolina

A street is flooded by Tropical Storm Debby on August 6, 2024 in Savannah, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
A street is flooded by Tropical Storm Debby on August 6, 2024 in Savannah, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)

Tropical Storm Debby inundated coastal Georgia and South Carolina with a deluge of rain that could flood Charleston, Savannah and other cities on Tuesday, a day after it slammed into Florida's Gulf Coast as a hurricane.

At least six people have died in Florida and Georgia in the wake of the storm, which is expected to linger over the southeastern and mid-Atlantic coasts for days.

Between 10 inches (25 cm) and 20 inches (51 cm) of rain was expected to fall along parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina through Friday and cause catastrophic flooding, the National Hurricane Center said. The governors of those states have declared states of emergency.

Cedrick King, a businessman from coastal Brunswick, Georgia, said he and his family packed up their belongings on Tuesday and were ready to make the five-hour drive to Atlanta.

"We're headed north, far away from this storm," he said.

The storm featured 45 mile-per-hour (72 km per hour) winds as it moved slowly just south of Savannah, Georgia, early on Tuesday morning. Heavy rainfall could cause flooding in parts of the mid-Atlantic through Sunday, the center said.

More than 8 inches (20 cm) of rain have already fallen on Savannah and Valdosta, Georgia, the National Weather Service said. Charleston and Hilton Head, South Carolina, have received between 10 and 12 inches (25 and 30 cm) of rain so far, the weather service said, with more on the way.

Charleston Mayor William Cogswell said more than 2 feet (61 cm) of rain is expected in his city before the storm passes. Even at low tide, storm surges of between 4 and 6 feet (1.2 and 1.8 meters) will prevent floodwaters from draining into the sea, he said.

There are "not enough pumps in the world" to handle that much rain, Cogswell said late on Monday. He has since extended a citywide curfew until Wednesday morning.

"Nobody should be out on the streets in these conditions unless it is an absolute emergency," the mayor said.

About 50 miles (80 km) west of Charleston, fears of a breach at the McGrady Dam in Colleton County, part of the state's Lowcountry, prompted the county sheriff's office to warn residents to evacuate immediately on Tuesday morning.

Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida's Gulf Coast on Monday morning, dumping 8 to 16 inches (20 to 41 cm) of rain in parts of central Florida, according to local reports. The storm has been blamed for five deaths in Florida and one near Valdosta, Georgia.

Nearly 110,000 customers were without power in Florida as of Tuesday morning, according to poweroutage.us, down from a peak of 350,000 on Monday. And more than 17,000 were without power in Georgia. Hundreds of flights to and from the state were canceled.

Weather conditions could spawn tornadoes as well, according to the National Hurricane Center. A suspected twister flipped over cars and damaged restaurants in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, about 30 miles (48 km) north of Charleston, early Tuesday morning. Mayor Thomas Hamilton Jr. said there were minor injuries.

The hurricane center said Debby would slow down and move east and off Georgia's shore on Tuesday before turning north and drifting inland over South Carolina near Charleston on Thursday.

Vice President Kamala Harris postponed a presidential campaign stop scheduled this week in Savannah, the Savannah Morning News reported.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said the city could expect a "once in a thousand year" rain event.

"This will literally create islands in the city," Johnson said.