By Citizenship Daily
The Forum of Saudi University Alumni in Nigeria and neighboring countries has opened under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and organized by King Khalid University.
The three-day event accompanied with exhibitions is being held in cooperation with the University of Tabuk and Najran University, according to a Saudi Embassy statement in Abuja today (Monday).
The opening was attended by the Honourable Minister of State for Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Suwaiba Saidu Ahmed, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Abuja, Mr. Saad bin Fahd Al-Marri.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for Education expressed her appreciation and gratitude to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its ongoing support to international students through scholarship programmes that provide opportunities for learning and knowledge exchange in Saudi universities.
She commended the Kingdom’s distinguished efforts in advancing education at both the regional and international levels.
The minister also thanked the forum’s organizers for their efforts in ensuring the success of the event, affirming that such initiatives help strengthen academic and research cooperation between the two countries and open broader horizons for joint scientific and knowledge exchange.
In his address at the opening ceremony, Mr. Al-Marri stated that the qualitative development witnessed by education in the Kingdom reflects the leadership’s commitment to building a globally leading educational system—one that keeps pace with scientific and technological advances and enhances the Kingdom’s standing in international academic forums.
He also highlighted the importance of activating the role of the “Study in Saudi Arabia” platform to boost the attraction of international students, enabling Saudi universities to fulfill their mission of disseminating knowledge and education and of building bridges of academic and cultural cooperation with countries around the world.
Mr. Al-Marri added that the Ministry of Education, through its scholarship programs, seeks outcomes aligned with the targets of Saudi Vision 2030 by preparing and qualifying scientific talent capable of contributing to development in their home countries upon return, and by transferring the skills and expertise they acquired during their studies in the Kingdom across scientific and research fields.
He expressed thanks and appreciation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria—represented by the Minister of Education—for hosting the forum, considering the excellent organization and for the warm reception.
He praised the depth of relations between the Kingdom and Nigeria and emphasized the importance of this forum in enhancing joint cooperation in education and scientific research and in consolidating academic partnerships among institutions in friendly countries.
The forum features six scholarly sessions over three days, with 21 speakers in the fields of education and research, as well as more than 400 participants from alumni of Saudi universities in Nigeria and neighboring countries.
This forum is among the initiatives aimed at strengthening communication between Saudi universities and their non-Saudi graduates, following up on their positive roles and contributions in their communities, and highlighting the importance of reinforcing sound Islamic identity in the face of modern challenges.
It also seeks to consolidate educational and research ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and neighboring states by promoting academic cooperation and the exchange of expertise and successful experiences—reflecting Saudi universities’ commitment to supporting, empowering, and providing continuous care for their graduates in their home countries.
