The campus, which will mark the first overseas university to open an international branch in Saudi Arabia, aims to enrol 13,000 students when fully operational – although the necessary regulatory approvals are still pending.
The announcement was made at the second annual Human Capability Initiative gathering in Riyadh earlier this month, hosted by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s human capability development program.
Teaching will be tailored to the future needs of the government and industry. Three colleges are set to open: the College of Business and Digital Innovation; the College of Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing; and the College of Arts and Applied Sciences.
As all modules will be taught in English, a preparatory year program and an English as a second language (ESL) course will be offered to students who require it.
Students will also have access to scholarship sponsors and practical training courses designed to meet Saudi Arabia’s workforce development objectives.
In addition, students in Riyadh will have the same access to UNH’s resources and main campus in West Haven that all students enrolled at UNH currently enjoy.
They will also have access to scholarship sponsors and practical training courses designed to meet Saudi Arabia’s workforce development objectives.
“The University of New Haven is proud to have been an active supporter of higher education in Saudi Arabia for over 20 years, both within the Kingdom and on our Connecticut campus,” said UNH president Jens Frederiksen.
“Our focus on preparing a dynamic global workforce makes Saudi Arabia a natural partner,” continued Frederiksen.
Over the years, the university has offered private education to Saudi families, educated hundreds of Saudi students on its main campus in Connecticut, and created and managed a modern undergraduate program for King Fahd Security College, one of the Kingdom’s most revered government institutions.
“The University of New Haven is a vibrant international community, with a growing impact across the globe,” said Michael H. Ambrose, chair of the University’s board of governors.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to expand the scope of our immersive, service-focused, and professionally oriented educational programs. We will develop innovative industry-specific education and training that supports the careers needed for Vision 2030, while also furthering the reach of the University and the outcomes of our graduates,” he added.
Vision 2030 provides a blueprint for diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy, empowering citizens, increasing private sector participation in higher education, and creating a vibrant environment for both local and international investors.
The news of the University of New Haven opening a campus in Riyadh next year is extremely exciting for both the United States and Saudi Arabia
Alison Dilworth, chargé d’affaires of the US mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The chargé d’affaires of the US mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Alison Dilworth, celebrated the announcement, saying: “This is an exciting time for US-Saudi higher education collaboration.
“Following the inaugural Saudi-US Higher Education Partnerships Forum last November, we are seeing an increase in US-Saudi joint research, student exchange, and university engagement. The news of the University of New Haven opening a campus in Riyadh next year is extremely exciting for both the United States and Saudi Arabia, and we look forward to seeing this project continue to progress.”
