University of New Haven Hosts First Event for Saudi Alumni in Riyadh

The University of New Haven brought together Saudi alumni and friends this week for its first official alumni gathering in Riyadh, held as preparations advance for the opening of the University’s international branch campus in the Kingdom. Dr. Jens Frederiksen, President of the University of New Haven; Dr. Leo Lester, Saudi Arabia Branch Manager; and Brian Otis, Vice President for Advancement; welcomed alumni representing a wide range of the University’s academic programs. Over coffee and canapés, Dr. Frederiksen shared an update on plans to launch the University of New Haven – Riyadh campus, which is expected to welcome its first students in Autumn 2026. In October, the University of New Haven became the first in the world to receive approval to establish an international branch campus in Saudi Arabia.

As part of the special event, Dr. Frederiksen outlined the University’s vision to offer in Saudi Arabia industry-aligned, internationally accredited programs in business, engineering, and applied sciences that support the Kingdom’s transformative Vision 2030 and its human capability development goals. The University has been an active supporter of higher education in the Kingdom for more than 20 years and long maintained a team in Riyadh to develop and consult on curricular design and program delivery. The event provided an opportunity for alumni to reconnect with one another, to hear directly from University leadership, and to ask questions about the forthcoming campus, academic offerings, and future opportunities for engagement. One younger alumnus remarked, “I am just really happy that New Haven is coming to Riyadh – I remember my time at UNH in Connecticut with such fondness.” During the discussion, another young alumnus, raised an excellent question on the importance of project-based learning in preparing students for real-world careers, prompting a thoughtful exchange with President Frederiksen and Otis.

“The University of New Haven has a long and proud history with Saudi Arabia,” said Dr. Frederiksen. “Our alumni here in the Kingdom will play a vital role in shaping the future of our Riyadh campus, mentoring our students, and helping us build strong partnerships with employers and communities across the country.” The University plans to continue hosting alumni-focused events in Riyadh to strengthen connections between graduates, support current and future students from the Kingdom, and foster deeper collaboration between the University of New Haven and its partners in Saudi Arabia.