Saudi Arabia and the United States Forge a New Era of Higher Education Partnership
Riyadh, [Nov, 20, 2024] – His Excellency Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, and U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Michael Ratney, inaugurated the Saudi-US Higher Education Partnerships Forum today. The event, co-organized by the Ministry of Education, the U.S. Embassy, and the Institute of International Education (IIE), brought together over 80 leading Saudi and American universities to explore and strengthen educational collaboration.
A Shared Vision for the Future of Education
In his opening remarks, Minister Al-Benyan emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a global education hub. "We aim to cultivate a generation of globally competitive students by fostering a diverse and internationally-oriented education system," he stated. He highlighted the importance of joint initiatives, such as student and faculty exchanges, research collaborations, and joint degree programs, to elevate both countries' higher education institutions.
The Minister also underscored the significance of the "Study in KSA" platform, which has already attracted over 80,000 applicants from 152 countries. He invited international students to experience the Kingdom's world-class education system and contribute to its vibrant academic community.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Ambassador Ratney praised the longstanding historical ties between the two countries and reaffirmed the U.S. government's commitment to international education. He noted that the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the forum marks a historic milestone, enabling American graduate students to study in Saudi Arabia for the first time.
Rafiq Mansour, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, highlighted the impact of Saudi students studying in the U.S., with approximately 700,000 graduates currently residing in the Kingdom. He commended the Ministry of Education's efforts to facilitate educational exchange programs and visa processes for American students.
In his keynote address, Professor Nasser Alaqeeli, Deputy Minister of Education for International Cooperation, stated: "The Saudi-US Higher Education Partnerships Forum marks a significant milestone in our journey to transform Saudi Arabia into a global knowledge hub. Through this collaboration, we aim to foster innovation, create opportunities, and empower our youth to shape the future."
Key Highlights from the Forum:
Memorandum of Understanding in Higher Education and Research
A historic agreement was signed to enhance academic and research collaboration between Saudi and American higher education institutions. This landmark agreement will pave the way for increased student and faculty exchange, joint research initiatives, and the development of innovative academic programs.
University Visits
American delegates had the opportunity to visit prominent Saudi universities in Jeddah, Dhahran, and Riyadh. These visits provided valuable insights into the Kingdom's educational landscape, showcasing state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge research, and a commitment to academic excellence.
Action-Oriented Discussions
Participants engaged in fruitful discussions to develop concrete plans for future cooperation. These discussions focused on a range of topics, including joint research initiatives, student and faculty exchange programs, the development of new academic programs, and industry-academia partnerships.