Ministry of Education announced the launch of working group during the HE leaders roundtable

During the HE leaders roundtable, the UK-KSA Research & Innovation Working Group and the UK-KSA Transnational Education Working Group were launched by his Excellency Dr. Al Muhammed Sudairy – outcomes aimed to ensure continuity in establishing future Higher Education partnerships between the kingdoms.

Please refer to the news published on the Ministry of Education website here.

To discuss the policy and priorities for international collaboration, internationalisation of education and the opportunities and challenges facing HEIs in a changing context, a virtual KSA-UK Higher Education Leaders roundtable was organised by the British Council in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Education on 29 March 2021.

The roundtable consisted of two-panel discussion sessions:

1. Research and Innovation – policy and priorities for international collaboration
2. Internationalisation of Education – opportunities and challenges in academic, research, and TNE partnerships

The roundtable was a huge success, with over 100 high-level Saudi and UK education leaders and experts attending the event, including Sir Steve Smith, the Prime Minister Special Representative for Education to Saudi Arabia who gave a welcome note. Welcome, and keynote addresses were also made by his Excellency Dr Muhammed Al Sudairy, Vice Minister for Universities, Research & Innovation at the Ministry of Education, Ms. Eilidh McLean Kennedy, Country Director of British Council Saudi Arabia and Professor Nasser Al-Aqeeli, Deputy Minister for Research & Innovation at the Ministry of Education.

Participation in the event was by invitation only; bringing together senior representatives of a high calibre to engage in meaningful and fruitful discussions. This included Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Vice-Rectors, Directors, Deans, and Supervisors from departments such as Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Scholarships, Development, Educational and Academic Affairs from Saudi HEIs and the Ministry of Education. UK participation ranged from Pro-Vice Chancellors, Vice-Presidents, Directors, Senior Lecturers and Deans covering Global Engagement and International Partnerships, Research and Innovation, Business Development and faculties such as Engineering, Education, Management, Medical, and Dental Sciences.

Saudi Arabia has already taken transformative steps to increase investment opportunities and collaborations for local universities to grow competitively. In line with Vision 2030, the government is investing $1.6 billion in research and development in the next two years, part of which $75 million is allocated to support international partnerships in higher education. In addition, the new universities law also facilitates this change, encouraging universities to establish partnerships with international HEIs and international institutions to operate in the kingdom as well as expand regionally.

British Council is currently working with the Ministry of Education to establishing the working groups, further information would be shared in due course.

Please see attached the booklet, which includes the program outline, speakers bio, and participating HEIs from Saudi and UK sides.