Top world universities would be allowed to enter the Saudi market under their own names and Saudi teaching staff would be employed to ensure transfer of skills.

The Ministry of Education plans to have universities ranked in the top 100 globally to open in the Kingdom, with an announcement on the details to be made within weeks.

According to a source at the ministry, who did not want to be named, the institutions would be required to offer courses that produce graduates needed for the country’s development.

There has been a decline in the performance of Saudi public and private universities. The ministry has received dozens of requests from several Arab and foreign universities to open branches in the Kingdom.

The source said the universities would be allowed to enter the Saudi market under their own names and teaching staff. Saudi teaching staff would be employed to ensure transfer of skills.

Universities that are eligible must be ranked in the top 100 globally, with the same curricula taught by the parent institution. In addition, they must teach Islamic studies and Arabic.

The institutions must also abide by the customs and traditions of the country and provide separate sections for men and women students.

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