Students Begin Their Academic Journey at University of New Haven – Riyadh

Classes began at the University of New Haven – Riyadh (NHU-Riyadh) on 23 August 2026. The first undergraduate and graduate students were welcomed at Misk City by Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., president of the University of New Haven, Leo Lester, Ph.D., senior vice president for NHU-Riyadh, and Riyadh Campus Dean Mohammed Alshagawi, Ph.D.

To set the standard of excellence, NHU-Riyadh placed a strict limit on enrollment for the first semester: one cohort of undergraduates and two cohorts of graduate students, selected from thousands of expressions of interest.
NHU-Riyadh is the first international branch university in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The University of New Haven signed its memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Ministry of Education and Ministry of Investment in April 2025. Consent to establish the campus followed from the Council of Ministers in October 2025, and U.S. accreditation approval from the New England Commission of Higher Education was received in April 2026. On 23 August 2026, NHU-Riyadh opened its doors to students.

“Sixteen months ago, this university was a signature on a memorandum,” said President Frederiksen. “Now it has come to life with motivated students and dedicated faculty. Welcoming these students in person was truly inspirational, and seeing their enthusiasm for American education in the heart of Riyadh was a validation of everything we have worked for.”

“Beyond just starting their classes, students began something much larger: a journey of self-discovery, of skills earned, and of ambitions that will help drive the global economy of the future,” said Dr. Lester. “Everything we have signed and everything we have built was for this moment: to create a transformational experience for our students in the Kingdom.”

NHU-Riyadh teaches at Misk City through its College of Business and Digital Innovation, the first of three colleges planned in Riyadh.