2 universities, 10 international schools licensed in 2025, 2026: Al-Benyan

Education Minister, Yousef Al-Benyan

Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan said the ministry licensed two international universities and 10 international schools, in addition to establishing an international partnership with a local university, during 2025 and 2026.

Speaking at the government press conference, Al-Benyan said Saudi universities are moving toward developing specialized identities that reflect their areas of excellence. 

King Faisal University (KFU) focuses on food security and environmental sustainability, while the University of Jeddah specializes in transportation and logistics services. Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) focuses on Hajj, Umrah and crowd management, while Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) specializes in the Arabic language and Shariah.

He said the ministry is working to align education outcomes with labor market needs through three main areas. The first is curricula, through coordination with relevant entities to ensure they contribute to developing the capabilities of Saudi students across various fields.

He noted that the National Curriculum Center’s membership includes several entities, including the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Sports.

The second area is specialized schools, including schools specializing in arts and culture established in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, which contribute to developing students’ capabilities in these fields.

The third area is universities, with institutions taking leading roles and specializing in various fields to support sectors that are government priorities, including tourism, sports and culture.

The Ministry of Education has the necessary enablers to support these sectors, along with indicators to monitor progress and measure its impact, Al-Benyan affirmed.