Saudi Deputy Minister of Education, Engineer Saad Al-Ghamdi, revealed ongoing efforts to grant licenses for prestigious international universities to establish branches in the Kingdom. This announcement coincided with the launch of the 'Global Education Monitoring Report 2026' at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where he noted that the number of beneficiaries from the 'Study in Saudi Arabia' program has exceeded 200,000 international students.
The Kingdom aims to enhance its position as a global educational destination through these initiatives, reflecting its commitment to developing the educational sector and achieving the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to improve the quality of education and expand its reach to various demographics.
Event Details
Al-Ghamdi discussed the importance of the report, which this year focuses on the theme of 'access and equity in education', where Saudi Arabia was able to showcase its qualitative achievements in educational development. According to data released by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the enrollment rate in higher education has risen to 83.88%, reflecting the success of efforts made in this area.
The report also indicated that the enrollment rate in technical and vocational education has seen an increase of over 30% in 2024, which reflects the successful restructuring of the educational system within the framework of the Human Capacity Development Program.
Background & Context
Historically, Saudi Arabia has witnessed radical changes in its educational system since the launch of Vision 2030, which aims to transform challenges into sustainable developmental opportunities. This vision represents a response to labor market needs, as the Kingdom seeks to improve the quality of education and provide a learning environment that meets modern requirements.
The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is one of the most prominent universities in the Kingdom, achieving the 67th rank globally according to the QS World University Rankings. Several Saudi universities have also been listed among the top 100 global universities in the field of patents for 2025, reflecting the growing environment for research and innovation in the Kingdom.
Impact & Consequences
These steps are part of the Kingdom's strategy to enhance higher education and scientific research, contributing to the development of human resources capable of meeting labor market needs. The success of the strategic scholarship program, which includes over 56,000 beneficiaries, reflects the government's commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities for both Saudi and international students.
Saudi Arabia's experience in aligning education with labor market needs and increasing enrollment in technical and vocational education serves as an inspiring model for other countries seeking to turn challenges into sustainable developmental opportunities.
Regional Significance
Many Arab countries are striving to improve their educational systems, and Saudi Arabia's experience in opening branches for international universities could serve as a model to emulate. By enhancing academic cooperation with prestigious educational institutions, other Arab countries can benefit from this experience to improve education quality and provide better opportunities for students.
In conclusion, these steps represent an important move towards achieving the goals of Vision 2030, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to developing education as a key tool for achieving sustainable development.