The King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies and King Saud University, represented by the College of Tourism and Archaeology, signed a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening scientific and training partnerships in the fields of cultural heritage, archaeology, and tourism. The agreement was signed on Monday, January 19, 2026.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the KFCRIS by Dr. Abdullah Hamidaddin, Assistant Secretary General for Scientific Affairs, representing HRH Princess Maha bint Mohammed AlFaisal, Secretary-General of the KFCRIS. On behalf of the College of Tourism and Archaeology, the agreement was signed by HE the Dean of the College, Dr. Salman Alotaibi, representing Professor Dr. Ali Masmali, Acting President of King Saud University.

The agreement aims to support cooperative training programs for male and female students of the College of Tourism and Archaeology, enabling them to acquire specialized practical skills in the fields of cultural heritage management and museums. It also includes cooperation in organizing scientific events, seminars, and cultural forums, as well as academic exchange and hosting experts in related disciplines.

The agreement stipulates enhancing student participation in cultural and volunteer activities, providing specialized academic consultations, and contributing to the evaluation of training outcomes. This will help link academic knowledge with practical application and support the preparation of qualified national cadres to work in the heritage and tourism sectors.

Areas of cooperation between the two parties include the exchange of scientific and intellectual expertise in fields related to archaeology, cultural heritage, and tourism, as well as benefiting from the research and applied capabilities of the King Faisal Center in supporting the educational and training programs of the College of Tourism and Archaeology. This cooperation aims to strengthen both the cultural and knowledge dimensions in student preparation and to connect their specializations with their civilizational and institutional contexts.

The agreement also opens prospects for cooperation in implementing joint initiatives concerned with heritage management and preservation, and in raising awareness of its cultural and economic importance, in line with the Kingdom’s orientation toward investing in cultural tourism. This reflects the role of research and academic institutions in building knowledge and supporting national competencies capable of contributing to this vital sector.

This agreement comes within the framework of the King Faisal Center’s and King Saud University’s commitment to expanding areas of institutional cooperation and integrating efforts between research and academic institutions, in a manner that serves the Kingdom’s cultural and knowledge development goals.