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UK Seeks Educational Investments in Saudi Arabia | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Prince Mohammed bin Naif and Britain’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Simon Collis. (SPA)


Riyadh – British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Simon Collis revealed that Riyadh and London are working together in the field of higher education and that this cooperation will expand over the next ten years.

He added that over 100,000 Saudis graduated from British universities over the past ten years.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on Monday, Collis said that investment in higher education is high among private and public sectors. He stated that Saudi scholarships in the UK have several social and educational benefits and they support economic and investment cooperation.

The ambassador noted that there are great opportunities to build better relations through increasing Saudi scholarships to British universities. He pointed out that Saudi graduates are the real ambassadors of their country and they are the bridge for the exchange of experiences and techniques between both countries.

He said that the UK is open to investments in higher education through several institutions and universities.

Collis hoped the cooperation would change the stereotypical image in relations, expecting great development in the coming years. There are several British schools in the kingdom and many of their graduates are enrolled in British universities, he stated.

The ambassador said: “There is great development in the higher education sector under the patronage of the British Education Ministry. Cooperation is underway in training teachers, teaching the British curriculum and exchanging expertise. This is a new program and we expect a rise in cooperation programs between the two countries in the upcoming years.”

Last week, Collis had said on the sidelines of the UK Alumni Awards organized by the British embassy: “The educational experience and personal relationships that graduates bring home last a lifetime.”

At the ceremony, he expressed his belief that the UK’s graduates are “great ambassadors for their country”, adding that international talent is welcome in Britain.

“As Saudi Arabia makes strides to implement Vision 2030, UK alumni will continue to have an important role to play in transferring skills, creating new jobs and driving innovation, and we hope these stories will inspire the next generation,” he said.

This year, the awards are being held in 14 locations: Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey and the US.

The awards seek to demonstrate the impact that a British education can have on individuals worldwide and to inspire others to reach their potential by studying in the UK.

The Study UK Alumni Awards was created by the British Cultural Council and UK higher education institutions.