Higher Education System in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Second Half of 20th Century and 21st Century

This article examines the achievements, challenges, characteristics, and future prospects of the higher education system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with particular emphasis on potential collaboration with the Russian Federation. The study investigates the activities, structure, and organization of the educational processes at three leading universities in the Kingdom: King Saud University (KSU), King Abdulaziz University (KAU), and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). An analysis of documents outlining the prospects for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia in mutually beneficial areas, notably higher education, is presented. Data from major international ranking agencies, including the Academic Ranking of World Universities, QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, are provided. The article characterizes the structure of leading universities in the Kingdom, their funding sources, and distinctive features of their corporate culture. Special attention is given to the developmental directions of these universities, their scientific and educational projects, and their appeal to both Saudi nationals and international faculty and students. Based on an examination of the experiences of interaction between the authorities of the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as their official statements, prospective areas for collaboration between the educational systems of both nations are highlighted.