King Khalid University achieved another significant milestone in higher education across the Arab world, ranking 11th among 246 Arab universities and 4th among 34 national universities in the 2025 QS Arab Ranking. This progress reflects the university’s commitment to academic and research excellence, as well as its pivotal role in serving the community, in alignment with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 and the university’s 2030 strategy, which is also aligns with the "Qimam wa Shiyam" strategy for the development of the Asir region.

King Khalid University Acting President Prof. Saad bin Mohammed bin Du'ajim, expressed pride in this achievement on behalf of the university and its members, emphasizing that this success reflects the support of the wise leadership, the continued follow-up of the region’s Governor, and the efforts of the Ministry of Education to enhance Saudi universities so that several of them are among the top 200 universities globally by 2030. He highlighted that the university’s continuous accomplishments in international rankings are the result of the active efforts of the university’s academic and administrative staff, demonstrating the university’s commitment to realizing its vision as a beacon of knowledge and innovation. He added, “At the university, we are working with our colleagues to achieve sustainable development goals in the Asir region, in alignment with the university’s 2030 strategy and the region’s development strategy 'Qimam wa Shiyam,' and in line with Vision 2030, which focuses on developing academic and research sectors to serve the community and strengthen international partnerships.”

Prof. Du'ajim also praised the diligent efforts of the teams at King Khalid University, adding, "We appreciate the vital role played by the University’s Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, the International Rankings Unit, and the QS Rankings Team."

Meanwhile, Prof. Hamed bin Majdough Al-Qarni, the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, pointed out that the university has made remarkable progress in several indicators in the QS Arab Ranking. He stated, "We have seen significant improvements in key areas, including research, academic impact, and international partnerships, which affirm the university’s commitment to excellence in academics and research. We are working to elevate the university’s global standing by supporting innovative research, increasing international collaboration, and developing high-quality academic programs, ensuring the preparation of distinguished graduates who will contribute effectively to the progress of Saudi Arabia."

Prof. Al-Qarni also highlighted the advancements in research infrastructure, stating, “The university has updated its research infrastructure by establishing specialized research centers and providing advanced laboratories, which have enhanced researchers’ efficiency and increased opportunities for collaboration across different academic departments. Additionally, financial support initiatives for outstanding research have been launched, encouraging the publication of research in high-impact scientific journals, along with support for international academic exchanges.”

He emphasized that this achievement not only reflects the efforts in developing academic and research programs but also the university’s ability to respond to the demands of modern times and global challenges in higher education. Over the past years, the university has worked on a comprehensive strategy focused on enhancing education quality, increasing research productivity, and fostering innovation to support its ambitious vision and achieve its qualitative goals.

In this context, Dr. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, General Supervisor of the International Rankings Unit, confirmed that this progress is an important step toward achieving the university’s ambitious goals. He pointed out that detailed strategies have been developed to improve the university’s standing in international rankings by enhancing the quality of research, increasing citation rates, and expanding global academic cooperation. He added, "The university believes that this progress is not just an achievement but a milestone on the path to becoming one of the world’s top universities. Efforts will continue to enhance academic and research innovation and create an inspiring educational environment that meets global standards."

Dr. Al-Qahtani stressed the university’s vital role in contributing to national development, stating, "Developing academic and research programs is not only aimed at enhancing the university’s position in international rankings but is also part of its mission to support national development. The university is preparing graduates capable of contributing to building a knowledge-based and innovative economy in scientific and technological fields, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030."

It is worth noting that around two weeks ago, the university achieved another significant accomplishment in the 2025 Times Higher Education Ranking, advancing to 4th place nationally and placing between 301-350 globally. With this notable progress, King Khalid University is getting closer to being among the top 200 universities worldwide.