Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University recorded a continuous series of academic, research, innovation, and community achievements during the 1447 AH academic year (corresponding to August 2025 – June 2026). These accomplishments strengthened its national presence and enhanced its international competitiveness, emerging as the result of its strategic plans aimed at investing in human capital, infrastructure, and digital transformation, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a knowledge- and innovation-based national economy.
August 2025
At the beginning of the academic year, the University welcomed its male and female students amid a fully integrated academic and technological ecosystem. This included the modernization of classrooms, laboratories, and central research facilities; the development of digital admission and registration systems; and the enhancement of the central library, clinical simulation center, digital content center, and digital production studio. These efforts ensured a smooth and effective launch of the educational process from day one.
In parallel, the Deanship of Student Affairs announced the launch of online registration for student housing and the provision of comprehensive support services for students with disabilities, as well as psychological and social support through the virtual clinic and the “Ask Me” and “Peer Mentor” programs. The Deanship of Admissions and Registration and the Academic Advising Unit also launched comprehensive orientation programs. Student extracurricular activities were expanded through a diverse system of student clubs.
The University delivered more than 4,500 e-courses under flexible learning pathways and developed digital platforms such as “Taqareer” and “MyPSAU,” achieving a 82.85% score in the Digital Transformation Index for 2024, and earning the “Excellence” category in the National Digital Education Index.
September 2025
Institutional activities diversified during September. On 15 September, His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Mohammed bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Kharj, patronized the “Celebration and Launch” ceremony, during which the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club was inaugurated. Several agreements were signed with the Abdullah Al Rajhi Charitable Foundation, Nqaa Association, Karaj Club, and GYM2A Sports Company. Talented students were honored, and an exhibition of achievements and the Research and Development Center were showcased.
On 26 September, the University President inaugurated the new University website, comprising more than 50 sub-sites designed in accordance with the highest unified government design standards. On 29 September, the University hosted a delegation from the Strategic Committee of the Council of Universities Affairs to review its development projects. On 30 September, it organized the International Translation Day Forum, including a dialogue session and exhibition aimed at promoting awareness of translation’s role in cultural communication.
October 2025
October witnessed significant momentum. At the beginning of the month, the University organized the second edition of the “Pharmacist at Sattam” program in conjunction with World Pharmacy Day.
On 7 October, the University joined as a founding partner in the International Initiative for Green Skills and Learning led by the United Nations and supervised by Times Higher Education, becoming the first institution globally to implement the experimental framework for green skills assessment.
On 12 October, the University achieved a leap of more than 250 positions in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, placing in the 401–500 band globally and fifth nationally.
On 19 October, data from the Deanship of Educational Services showed a 40% increase in open educational resources, reaching 1,960 resources, with an 80% rise in engagement. On 25 October, the number of professional certification holders reached 685, reflecting a growth of nearly 110% compared to the previous year. The month concluded with the 8th blood donation campaign, “A Drop of Blood Saves a Life,” recording 162 donors in cooperation with Prince Sultan Military Medical City.
November 2025
In November, the University continued its qualitative achievements. On 2 November, it announced the growth of international scholarship students, targeting 1,457 students (4.27% of the total). On 7 November, it signed a cooperation agreement with the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) during Biban 2025 to enhance entrepreneurship.
On 9 November, the University received the highest evaluation (3/3) from the Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority, following financial impact achievements of 803 million SAR across 18 initiatives.
On 10 November, the University registered a patent with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property for an innovation titled “Handheld Screwdriver Holder for Dental Implants.” On 18 November, it celebrated International Students Day with a cultural pavilion featuring 22 countries.
The University also advanced in rankings, rising more than 100 positions in interdisciplinary research rankings to 116th globally on 23 November, and climbing 45 positions in the Arab University Rankings by Times Higher Education to 16th regionally on 26 November, while entering the global top 500.
December 2025
The University organized the World Arabic Language Day celebration under the theme “We Are Proud of It,” featuring theatrical and poetry performances by scholarship students. On 23 December, it hosted a delegation from the U.S. Embassy to discuss academic cooperation opportunities.
January 2026
At the beginning of 2026, the University continued to strengthen cultural and knowledge exchange by launching the first “Sattam Authors Exhibition” and the Sattam Cultural Café, featuring 12 authors and 40 books.
On 18 January, it adopted the upgraded Blackboard Ultra learning management system for the second semester, enhancing the quality and efficiency of digital education.
February 2026
In February, the University participated in the World Defense Show 2026, presenting innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics, and intelligent systems, supporting integration between scientific research and national industries.
March 2026
March marked a significant medical milestone. On 5 March, a medical team from the College of Medicine and University Hospital performed a specialized intervention for sacroiliac joint pain using fluoroscopy-guided technology.
On 16 March, the University won three international medals at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions: two gold medals for a cryogel porous dressing and a dental implant screwdriver holder, and a bronze medal for a device measuring pathological tooth mobility.
April 2026
On 6 April, the Physics and Mathematics programs received full programmatic accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission.
On 7 April, the President of the University inaugurated the “Academic Advising Compass” forum. On 19 April, the Digital Innovation Hackathon 2026 concluded with Team “Ufuq” winning for its smart educational system project.
On 22 April, the 17th graduation ceremony honored approximately 9,000 graduates under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar, Governor of Riyadh Region. On 30 April, the month concluded with a forum on the role of government entities in promoting national values and intellectual awareness, alongside a memorandum of understanding with the Intellectual Protection Center.
May 2026
In May, innovation and community engagement were prominent. On 7 May, the “Agenthathon” AI Agents Hackathon launched with over 1,000 participants from 17 universities and prizes exceeding 200,000 SAR.
On 11 May, the University supervised the “Hajj Assistant Robot,” serving pilgrims in 96 languages at the Al-Kharj Hajj Service Center. The University also contributed a delegation of 99 participants to support pilgrims in the holy sites, including field surveyors and healthcare volunteers in cooperation with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority.
On 12 May, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week was inaugurated, showcasing hydrogen vehicles, sign language translation gloves, and smart cardiac resuscitation devices. The University also launched the central Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club headquarters.
On 18 May, it launched the “Career Empowerment Days” initiative. On 20 May, the University President participated in the Jisr 3 Forum. On 27 May, the University joined the Ministry of Education pavilion at NAFSA 2026 in the United States to present its programs and build international partnerships.
June 2026
The academic year concluded in June with unprecedented international achievements. On 14 June, the University obtained five patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in nanotechnology.
On 18 June, it advanced 50 positions in the QS World University Rankings 2027 to rank 677 globally, achieving 88th globally and 2nd nationally in the International Research Network Index.
On 24 June, it concluded the year by rising more than 250 positions in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, entering the 201–300 band globally. It also ranked 27th globally in Gender Equality, 18th in Partnerships, and 34th in Quality Education.
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