RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan has participated in a roundtable meeting between Saudi and British universities. The roundtable meeting, held in Riyadh, was attended by the Special Representativeof the British Prime Minister for Education to Saudi Arabia, Steve Smith, education leaders, and representatives of a number of universities in the two countries. Al-Benyan noted the role of roundtable meetings in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two Kingdoms in the education field, which started in 2018 when Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and the Prime Minister of UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic educational partnership focusing on six main fields, which include professional development of Saudi educators and enhancing their knowledge, skills and abilities. The partnership also focuses on research cooperation, student scholarships, and transnational education. The Saudi minister added that the educational partnership with the UK aims to increase the participation of the British private education sector in the Saudi educational system, as well as establishing British schools and universities in the country. It also aims to address the skills gaps and train healthcare professionals, in addition to supporting the educational development in a way that comes in line with the ambitions of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, through sharing policies related to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and curriculum development. Al-Benyan confirmed the importance of opening two British universities in Saudi Arabia by 2025, activating the student exchange programs in Saudi universities. "This is to ensure that our students have access to the latest knowledge and practical training, enhance research opportunities for researchers from both countries, and establish joint research projects that lead to high-quality outputs," he said. The roundtable meeting discussed the topic of global partnership in education within the United Kingdom's framework of science and technology, investment in university education in Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi Innovative Educational City Initiative. The meeting also touched on bilateral cooperation in the field of research and innovation, as well as reviewing the national system for research, development and innovation in Saudi Arabia and its strategic objectives. The role of the British Council in supporting educational cooperation between the two countries was also discussed.al meetings held between the Saudi University and its British counterparts.
