Saudi Arabia: The Emerging Global Destination for Higher Education Investment, Nora Alkhathlan

Nora Alkhathlan
Director
Education Sector, Ministry of Investment
Saudi Arabia

Workshop Objective: The workshop aims to introduce leading global universities to the strategic transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia’s education sector and to present key opportunities in higher education and technical and vocational training (TVET). It will highlight the Kingdom’s efforts to develop a world-class education and research ecosystem aligned with Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP). The session will also strengthen dialogue between the Ministry of Investment (MISA), the Ministry of Education (MoE), and top international institutions to explore collaboration models and academic best practices.

Target Audience:

1. Presidents and provosts of the world’s top 200 universities (QS, THE, Shanghai).
2. Senior leaders of international expansion and partnerships offices.
3. Directors of global research and innovation centers.
4. Representatives of private higher education providers and education development companies.

Expected Outcomes

1. Raise international awareness of Saudi Arabia’s growing higher education and training market.
2. Build an Expression of Interest (EOI) list of global universities seeking to establish a presence in KSA.
3. Arrange follow-up bilateral meetings with interested universities to explore partnerships.
4. Strengthen coordination between MISA and the Ministry of Education to streamline licensing and operational pathways for foreign institutions.

Key Messages

1. Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformative phase in its education system as part of Vision 2030.
2. Significant opportunities exist in higher education and TVET, particularly in fields aligned with national priority sectors such as health, tourism, industry, energy, and digital technologies.
3. Global universities are invited to play a pivotal role in developing human capital and advancing research excellence.
4. The alignment between MISA and MoE ensures a supportive and transparent environment for establishing sustainable academic collaborations.