University of Arizona and Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University in Saudi Arabia Sign Academic Educational Exchange Services/Microcampus Agreement
Establishing two new engineering dual master’s degrees in 2023 in Engineering Management and Innovation, Sustainability & Entrepreneurship, and opening doors for exchange and collaboration
On May 10, 2022, leadership from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, and Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University (PMU), Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, met virtually to sign the first UArizona microcampus agreement in Saudi Arabia.
The collaboration between the two universities establishes a dual degree Master of Engineering - Innovation, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship that will start in Spring 2023, and a Master of Science in Engineering Management that will begin in Fall 2023.
“It gives me great pleasure to be signing this agreement with PMU, one of the most esteemed universities in the Middle East,” University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins said. “After several years in discussion, delayed by the pandemic, the University of Arizona is thrilled to be offering these dual graduate degree programs in Innovation, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship and Engineering Management to students in Saudi Arabia.”
Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University, a private university in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, was founded by Prince Muhammad bin Fahd, former governor of the Eastern Province. In the 2021 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, PMU ranked fourth on the list of the top higher education institutions in the region. PMU offers degree courses in Engineering, Information Technology, Business Administration, and Sciences & Human Studies.
“I am very pleased to be here today to formalize the agreement between our two institutions that will be launching engineering graduate level collaborative dual degree programs,” President of Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University Dr. Issa Al-Ansari said. “I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Robbins and everyone from the two institutions who have worked together to make this possible. Such collaborations will set the foundation to develop joint academic programs and to proactively promote forward thinking and futuristic studies with the highest global impacts and outcomes especially in the fast pace and dynamic fields of engineering.”
The development of the dual master’s degree programs is the result of discussions at all levels amongst deans from both universities and will promote exchange and create opportunities for research and collaboration.
“After many years of discussion, we are pleased to be expanding our worldwide locations to many countries in the Middle East and are proud of this relationship with such a highly regarded university in the region,” said Assistant VP for Middle East and North African Affairs Hassan Hijazi, who has been facilitating this agreement.
Representatives from the University of Arizona will plan to visit the PMU campus in Al Khobar in the near future for a more formal and in-person signing ceremony.
“We look forward to a fruitful, prosperous and productive relationship between our two universities for many years to come,” Dean of Global Education JP Jones said, “and to the expansion of this program and deepening the partnership not only through Engineering, but through our other departments in the university as well.”
Media contact:
David Richards, Executive Director, International Marketing and Communications
davidrichards@arizona.edu