- Saudi Arabia's Minister of Education announced that approximately 14,470 Saudi students are studying in the U.S.
- He highlighted the establishment of over 120 research collaborations
- This collaboration underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to educational excellence and innovation
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Education, Yousef Al-Benyan, declared that there are around 14,470 Saudi students studying in the United States, mostly under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Programme. He reiterated that the United States has been a major study destination for Saudi students for more than 70 years, driving the academic and professional success of hundreds and thousands of individuals.
Since the beginning of the scholarship scheme, hundreds of thousands of Saudi students have been dispatched to US universities, creating a solid pool of experts in different fields such as medicine, engineering, sciences, and management. Al-Benyan underscored the significance of this academic presence in creating a pool of competent workers responding to the needs of the changing job market.
In addition, he mentioned that leading Saudi universities, including King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, and King Faisal University, have signed more than 120 research collaborations with U.S. institutions. These partnerships cover key areas like renewable energy, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Furthermore, the minister emphasized that over 15 joint cooperation and training programs are in place with American research centers and universities. These programs are aimed at enhancing expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and clean energy, as well as supporting researcher exchange and building technical and academic capacities. This strategic collaboration highlights Saudi Arabia's focus on driving educational excellence and innovation through international cooperation.
