The Round Table program was held as part of the "Future Trends: Universities and Sustainable Development" forum organized by King Khalid University. The program brought together a group of representatives from local and Arab universities, the Association of Arab Universities, the QS organization, representatives of the Times classification of global universities, and the Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education, to enhance academic and strategic partnerships and exchange experiences in the fields of scientific research, international classifications, sustainability, and the role of universities in development.

This program is part of the forum's activities, hosted by King Khalid University with the participation of a group of speakers and experts from various Arab universities, with the aim of exploring the roles of universities in sustainable development and strengthening their partnerships with various sectors, based on the forum's three pillars: people, land, and the economy.

The discussions focused on key themes, most notably the role of universities in developing innovation and entrepreneurship, the impact of university partnerships on the development of societies and the sustainability of cities, and the promotion of integration between scientific research and economic needs. Participants also discussed ways to improve the positions of universities in international rankings such as QS and THE, and the role of industry and innovation in achieving sustainable development, stressing the importance of aligning the outputs of higher education with the requirements of the labor market.

The meetings concluded with a number of recommendations aimed at strengthening the position of universities in the knowledge economy, supporting innovation, achieving sustainability in societies, and enhancing the competitiveness of universities in international rankings, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals and Saudi Vision 2030.