University of New Haven – Riyadh and Hilton Sign Letter of Collaboration to Pursue Internship and Talent Development Opportunities in Saudi Arabia

The University of New Haven – Riyadh (NHU-Riyadh) and Hilton hotels in Saudi Arabia have signed a letter of collaboration to develop internships for NHU-Riyadh students. The letter was signed on 5 July 2026 by Leo Lester, Ph.D., senior vice president for NHU-Riyadh, on behalf of the University of New Haven, and Sara Yahya, Regional Director of Recruitment for Hilton in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

Under the letter, NHU-Riyadh students would intern with Hilton in the Kingdom, supported by mentorship and graduate-recruitment engagement. The two organizations would also work together on aligning teaching and learning opportunities with the skills the Kingdom’s hospitality industry needs. Specific arrangements would be set out in separate written agreements as they are developed.

Hospitality and tourism are central to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic transformation. Hilton is one of the leading international hospitality operators in Saudi Arabia, with a growing portfolio across the country.

“Having a campus on the ground in the Kingdom significantly enriches the opportunities we can offer Saudi students, and what we can offer to support Saudi industry,” said Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., President of the University of New Haven. “Working with Hilton, our students will learn alongside one of the world’s leading hospitality brands, and Hilton can draw on a US-accredited business college that is principally focused on meeting the workforce needs of businesses in the Kingdom .”

“This is what NHU-Riyadh’s students should expect from a University of New Haven education delivered in Saudi Arabia: a clear line from the classroom to the workplace, with corporate partners who lead the industries our students are training to enter,” said Leo Lester, Ph.D., senior vice president for NHU-Riyadh. “Hilton is exactly the kind of partner this campus was built to attract.”

NHU-Riyadh opens this autumn at Misk City with the College of Business and Digital Innovation, the first of three colleges planned in Riyadh.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 28 world-class brands comprising more than 9,200 properties and over 1.3 million rooms, in 144 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 4 billion guests in its more than 100-year history. Named as the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune, Hilton aims to create the best culture for its 500,000 team members around the world. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 250 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.