The University of New Haven said Wednesday that Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved its plan to open a branch campus in Riyadh.
The approval marks the first time a higher education institution anywhere in the world has been authorized to establish an international campus in the Kingdom, according to UNH.
Set to open in the fall of 2026, the new campus will advance Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, a national strategy aimed at diversifying the economy and expanding private-sector participation in higher education.
“This is a historic day for the University of New Haven,” said President Jens Frederiksen. “The university has been an active supporter of higher education in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years, both within the Kingdom and on our Connecticut campus, and we are excited to advance this work by establishing a campus in Riyadh that supports the Kingdom’s transformative Vision 2030 goals.”
The Riyadh campus will include a College of Business and Digital Innovation, a College of Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, and a College of Arts and Applied Sciences. It will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees, executive education and micro-credentials designed to promote lifelong learning. Students will also have access to the university’s main campus in West Haven, as well as its campus in Tuscany, Italy.
Frederiksen said the expansion reflects the university’s long-standing global focus.
“Our commitment to international education has generated significant global attention and awareness for our vision of delivering an unparalleled return on investment for our domestic and international students,” he said.