News

King Khalid University under the auspices of the International Relations Administration is taking the necessary steps to lay the groundwork and subsequently fulfill its commitment to forming partnerships and applicable joint ventures with other educational institutions and government entities throughout the world. By integrating educational programs and systems with highly reputable partners around the globe, the university will achieve its goals through advanced research activities and community outreach.

The International Relations Administration was established by university decision number (5/60) on the 16/1/1431 AH. The vision of the administration is based upon the core objective to establish long-term mutually beneficial relationships with reputable domestic and international institutions.

Vice Rector of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Saad Al-Amry, said: "His Excellency Rector Al-Solamy and the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Research are determined to forge ahead with the expansion of domestic and international partnerships and agreements, and exchange expertise in specialized research fields." He added that the university has been successful in creating these partnerships. These domestic and international ventures have benefitted numerous departments within the university and have significantly contributed to our partners as well in many scientific disciplines.

Vice Rector Al-Amry stressed that we must continue to develop the framework and regulations that will continue to foster these cooperative programs and international research projects. These programs will be continuously evaluated using both quantitative and qualitative measures in accordance with best practices as recognized by the top educational institutions worldwide. This is a significant challenge as these ventures involve cooperation among faculty members of different institutions, student exchange programs, and cooperative research efforts. Despite inherent complexities, these programs and integrated partnerships will ultimately lead to cutting-edge research breakthroughs and joint degree programs.

The International Relations Administration at King Khalid University is responsible for ensuring that the following objectives are met:

• Promoting a culture of international cooperation within the faculty and staff at the university;
• Creating and maintaining an environment that facilitates these domestic and international joint ventures among the various scientific institutions;
• Sponsoring and coordinating international conventions and associated ancillary meetings and follow-up reports;
• Ensuring the availability of sufficient funds to implement the various program and projects;
• Providing research and logistics support to our faculty members in order to enhance international cooperation and faculty exchange programs;
• Serving as a reference institution and repository of information for research and guidance at the regional and international level;
• Coordinating the exchanges and consultations among relevant institutions and agencies to ensure that our domestic and international ventures comport with and support Vision 2030.

To date, the International Relations Administration has entered into 40 agreements, joint ventures, and partnerships. These encompass several areas and disciplines including but not limited to: Graduate studies, scientific research, curriculum development, training of faculty members and university students, and the exchange of academic professors in medicine.

The International Relations Administration has several agreements and partnerships with American universities such as:

• University of Arizona - Medicine, pharmacy, curriculum development, and scientific research;
• The University of Nevada Las Vegas – Medicine and curriculum development;
• The University of Pennsylvania – Pharmacy and curriculum development;
• The University of Wisconsin - E-learning qualification programs;
• Michigan State University - E-learning qualification programs.

Also in Europe, the university cooperation agreements include:

• The University of Groningen (Netherlands) – Computer Science;
• The University of De Montfort (UK) - Environmental Research and Health;
• The University of Lyon (France) - Particle physics, astrophysics, quantum mechanics, and plasma fusion applications;
• The University of Madrid (Spain) – Advanced materials engineering;
• AGH University of Technology and Science (Poland) – Electrical engineering.

In Asia and North Africa, agreements include:

• The University of Ghadi Amravati (India) - Advanced materials design and manufacturing;
• The University of Malaya (Malaysia) - Advanced materials technology;
• The University of Damanhur (Egypt) - Immune systems research and cancer treatment;
• The Institute of Agricultural Research (Egypt) - GIS and remote natural resource detection;
• The Pasteur Institute of Tunisia - Infections and cancer research.

Director of the International Relations Administration said: "The administration is currently working on a comprehensive five-year strategic plan that would result in King Khalid University’s international recognition as a top 200 institution in the world by the year 2030. A critical part of this strategic plan is continuous performance improvement, constant expansion of specific objectives, and ensuring the success of partnerships and joint ventures. Overall, our success demands constant vigilance and adherence to the highest academic standards." He added that there would be many specific programs targeting continuous development of faculty members and students in scientific research and learning skills.

In addition to existing partnerships and ventures, there are numerous other initiatives currently under consideration. These include cooperative agreements with Georgetown University in Washington D.C., Queen Mary University of London, Queen's University Belfast, the Royal College of Surgeons in England, a number of universities in Finland, and the Indian National Institute of Agriculture. In the Arab world, we have received requests for cooperation from four Moroccan universities.

These proposed cooperative agreements will lead to further projects and programs that will enhance the university’s global standing and be mutually beneficial to all concerned parties. Through excellence in academia, research, and project management, King Khalid University will have a positive impact on a local and global scale.

The International Relations Administration is helping the university to stay on the leading edge of global scientific and applied research. Through these partnerships and agreements, King Khalid University will further enhance its standing within the academic community and raise the bar for scientific research and complex program management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.