The Ministry of Education and Saudi Aramco have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote STEM skills and volunteer work, in line with Vision 2030 to build a knowledge-based economy. The partnership aims to equip students with the skills necessary to meet the demands of the future while fostering social responsibility and supporting safety initiatives in schools.
National Context and Future Vision
This collaboration aligns with broader national efforts to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places human capital development at the centre of its priorities. Through programmes such as the Human Capability Development Program, the Kingdom seeks to prepare globally competitive citizens equipped with the skills and knowledge required by a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. Public-private partnerships, such as this one between the Ministry of Education and Aramco, are key to accelerating this transformation. The expertise and capabilities of a leading company like Aramco contribute to enriching the education system with high-quality, practical programmes.
Details and Objectives of the Memorandum
The memorandum was signed during the Investment in Education and Training Forum 2026 held in Riyadh, coinciding with the International Day of Education. Under this agreement, the Ministry and Aramco will work on:
- Developing STEM skills by designing specialised educational and applied programmes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The initiative aims to promote critical thinking, innovation, and readiness for university and future careers.
- Promoting volunteer work through the adoption of Aramco’s volunteer programmes within approved high school volunteer hours and developing mechanisms to measure their societal impact.
- Supporting security and safety by creating integrated awareness and training programmes to ensure safe and stimulating learning environments.
- Exchanging experiences by cooperating on data, statistics, and technical expertise to continuously improve educational and community initiatives.
Expected Impact and Future Prospects
The partnership is expected to have a tangible positive impact locally and regionally. Locally, it will bridge the gap between educational outcomes and labour market demands while developing a national workforce ready to lead in industrial and technological sectors. Regionally, it represents a pioneering model of cooperation between government institutions and major national companies, potentially inspiring similar initiatives in other countries.
Professor Nabil Al-Jamea, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services at Saudi Aramco, said,
“This cooperation confirms the keenness of both parties to continue their joint efforts in establishing a culture of volunteering and enhancing the role of education in serving the community. It is an investment in the Kingdom’s generations and a contribution to empowering students with future skills and preparing them to benefit from promising opportunities.”
This memorandum builds on the success of the 2023 Schools Volunteering programme, launched according to the Rashid standard. More than 131,000 volunteers completed over 1.25 million volunteer hours across 892 schools, providing a strong foundation for this new partnership.
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Further Reading:
- Saudi Arabia Opens School Performance Data to Parents in Landmark Move
- Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Agenda and the African Opportunity Ahead