Vice Chancellor to help improve Saudi education

Vice-Chancellor Sir Anthony Seldon has accepted an unpaid Government role as Special Representative for Education for the UK Saudi programme.

It includes providing intellectual leadership and a strategic steer to the UK / Saudi education partnership, working closely with both governments to develop a coherent programme for change and forging links between the UK and Saudi education systems.

Sir Anthony will use his expertise running schools and now a university to identify priorities from early years to primary and secondary education and the transition to further education and higher education.

The partnership follows a meeting between Education Secretary Damian Hinds and Saudi Education Minister Dr Ahmed Al-Issa, who pledged to work together to modernise Saudi Arabia’s education system as part of the first official visit of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia to the UK.

The Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing the UK to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 education reforms to create a better future and greater inclusivity for Saudi Arabia.

Sir Anthony said: “I am happy to accept this education invitation from the government. The post is unpaid and time spent on the work will eat into my leisure time, coming on top as it does of my leadership as V-C of The University of Buckingham, a job I love. I accept in the hope and belief I might make a difference, helping steer Saudi Arabia to deliver a high-quality academic and holistic / wellbeing education for all, in line with the humane, civilised and internationally respectful values I have tried to advance all my career in education.”

Secretary of State for Education Damian Hinds added: “Education can play a leading role in driving forward social change. It is right that we look for opportunities to work together in this sector, on top of the many relationships that already exist between our two countries.”

The partnership will also increase commercial opportunities and trade between UK and Saudi in the Education sector and is part of a wider plan to support Saudi Arabia to develop new opportunities for young people.