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Saudi Leader in Higher Education and Research Leverages the Anaplan Platform to Drive Financial Digital Transformation

By Dominic Sow · 24 July 2025

Anaplan KAUST Financial Planning for agile university forecasting
Anaplan, the leading scenario planning and analysis platform for enterprise decision-making, today announced that King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia’s leading science and technology research university, has selected Anaplan to modernize its financial planning and forecasting processes. The initiative will support KAUST’s strategic vision by enabling more agile, transparent, and data-informed decision-making. As part of its commitment to operational excellence and innovation, KAUST sought a solution to streamline financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes while ensuring seamless alignment across departments. After an extensive evaluation, KAUST selected Anaplan for its proven ability to integrate financial data, optimize resource allocation, and provide real-time scenario modeling to better manage uncertainty.  "KAUST is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance our financial planning and operational efficiencies," said Richard J Sobieray, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at KAUST. "Anaplan’s powerful enterprise platform, combined with the expertise and partnership of Tru Consulting, will enable us to transition to a dynamic and collaborative planning environment, enhancing our finance performance to support our long-term strategic goals." By adopting Anaplan, KAUST is investing in a flexible foundation that not only improves financial agility but also drives smarter, faster decisions in a dynamic academic environment. Key benefits of the platform to include:
  • Real-time forecasting capabilities to inform strategic decisions
  • Enhanced collaboration between finance and operational stakeholders
  • Scalable architecture to support long-term institutional growth
"We are thrilled to support KAUST in their journey toward financial transformation," said Andrew Haas, Regional Vice President Middle East and Africa at Anaplan. "Anaplan’s advanced planning capabilities will enable KAUST to improve financial agility and enhance data-driven decision-making, aligning with their mission of pioneering innovation." The implementation will be led in collaboration with Tru Consulting, which has extensive experience working with leading higher education institutions to ensure a smooth and effective transition. This initiative reinforces KAUST’s commitment to adopting innovative technologies that enhance institutional effectiveness and support its research and educational excellence. "As KAUST transforms its financial operations, we're eager to apply our expertise in higher education finance and utilize Anaplan’s scenario planning and analysis platform to ensure seamless adoption and maximum value realization," said Mela Fezzy, CEO at Tru Consulting. "Anaplan’s capabilities will provide KAUST with a forward-looking, data-driven planning approach that aligns perfectly with their strategic vision."  With the Anaplan KAUST Financial Planning initiative in place, the university makes its commitment to long-term excellence and data-driven agility even stronger.

Companies in this story: Anaplan

People in this story: Andrew Haas

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