Riyadh, November 21, 2024 – In a significant step towards enhancing educational collaboration between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States, the Saudi-U.S. Higher Education Partnerships Forum was officially launched on Wednesday. The event, organized by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the Institute of International Education (IIE), brought together senior officials from both countries' higher-education sectors, as well as leaders from over 80 universities across Saudi Arabia and the United States. The forum was held at a time when both nations are keen to deepen their educational and research collaborations, paving the way for future academic exchange, joint research, and faculty development.
The forum kicked off with an opening speech by Saudi Minister of Education, Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, who emphasized the Kingdom's growing aspirations to position itself as a regional and global educational hub. Al-Benyan expressed his pride in the longstanding cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. in the field of higher education, noting that such collaboration is essential in preparing Saudi students to compete on the global stage. He outlined the Kingdom’s commitment to building a diverse, globally open educational system that fosters academic excellence and innovation, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
"The Kingdom aims to be a hub for education at both the regional and global levels. Education in the Kingdom seeks to prepare students who are capable of competing globally by building an educational system characterized by diversity and global openness," Al-Benyan stated. He further explained that strengthening academic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States would require joint investments and collaborative programs, including student and faculty exchange initiatives, research development projects, and the expansion of joint academic programs between universities in both nations. Al-Benyan also pointed out that such partnerships would significantly contribute to the improvement of university rankings, driven by the quality of faculty, students, and investment in cutting-edge research and development.
A key highlight of the forum was the launch of a historic agreement aimed at boosting educational exchange between the two nations. In a symbolic moment, Minister Al-Benyan and U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on higher education and research cooperation. This agreement marks the first time U.S. graduate students will have the opportunity to study in Saudi Arabia, strengthening ties between Saudi and U.S. higher-education institutions. The agreement also lays the groundwork for future collaboration in areas such as joint research, faculty exchanges, and the mobility of students and researchers between both countries.
Minister Al-Benyan expressed his excitement about the opportunities the agreement opens up, particularly in light of the Kingdom’s Study in KSA platform, which has already attracted over 80,000 applicants from 152 countries. This initiative reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to attracting international students and promoting academic exchange, with the ultimate goal of fostering global collaboration in education and research. Al-Benyan also reiterated that educational partnerships with countries like the U.S. are critical in advancing the Kingdom's vision to enhance the quality of education, research, and innovation across its universities, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s broader goals of diversifying the economy and developing a knowledge-based society.
Ambassador Ratney, in his remarks, reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting international education and fostering cross-cultural exchange. He emphasized that the forum marked a significant milestone in U.S.-Saudi educational relations and highlighted the U.S. government’s dedication to promoting academic partnerships that align with its broader educational diplomacy initiatives. "The U.S. government is deeply committed to supporting international education and strengthening cooperation through tangible partnerships between our academic institutions," said Ratney, underscoring the importance of mutual engagement in the fields of research and innovation.
Rafik Mansour, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, highlighted the long-standing educational ties between the two countries, noting that approximately 700,000 Saudi students have graduated from U.S. institutions through Saudi government scholarship programs. Mansour commended the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to further develop its educational sector, particularly through initiatives like the Study in KSA platform, which offers U.S. students opportunities to study in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Nasser bin Mohammad Al-Aqili, Undersecretary for Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Education, also addressed the forum, emphasizing the strategic importance of Saudi-U.S. academic collaboration in advancing educational and research goals. He highlighted how such partnerships contribute not only to the academic development of students and faculty but also to broader socioeconomic objectives, including sustainable development and innovation.
The forum featured a series of panel discussions and meetings among academic leaders and government officials, focusing on the future of higher education partnerships, the role of joint research initiatives, and the development of academic mobility programs between Saudi and U.S. universities. These discussions addressed practical strategies for strengthening the academic ties between the two countries, with a particular focus on student exchanges, faculty collaborations, and research partnerships in key fields such as technology, health, and engineering.
As part of the event, members of the U.S. academic delegation visited several leading Saudi universities in Riyadh, Dhahran, and Jeddah. These visits allowed U.S. academic leaders to experience firsthand the transformative developments taking place within Saudi Arabia’s higher-education sector. The delegation was particularly impressed by the significant investments being made in university infrastructure, research capabilities, and faculty development.
The Saudi-U.S. Higher Education Partnerships Forum represents a landmark moment in the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen its academic ties with the United States and elevate its higher-education sector to new heights. The partnerships formed during this forum will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the future of education, research, and innovation in both countries, paving the way for greater collaboration and knowledge exchange in the years to come.