RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s delegation participated in the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference and Expo in the US, with 20 Saudi universities attending under the Council of Universities’ Affairs.
The delegation held bilateral meetings with several US universities, including MIT, Stanford, and Yale, to discuss academic and research cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Arabia’s participation is the largest to date in terms of universities and agreements, highlighting the growing global presence of Saudi higher education.
Hani Choudhry, head of the delegation and deputy secretary-general of the council, said the participation is unprecedented in scale, diversity of workshops, and scope of partnerships, reflecting a major transformation in the sector.
The program included specialized workshops showcasing the diversity and integration of the Saudi academic experience.
Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University presented two initiatives to develop future-ready Arabic language programs that enhance global competitiveness, cultural development, and intercultural communication.
The Saudi Electronic University presented a workshop on “Future Higher Education: Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, and Saudi-American Cooperation,” focusing on the future of higher education and international collaboration in technology and knowledge.
King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences presented a workshop on “Enhancing Excellence in Biomedical Research: Leadership, Innovation, and Global Cooperation,” highlighting leadership in research, expanded international collaboration, and innovation in the research system.
The expo, themed “Global by Design,” will run until May 29 in Orlando, Florida.
