The education sector in the Kingdom expanded as NHU-Riyadh and EtonHouse signed a letter of intent to introduce university level learning into school environments.
The initiative allows pupils at EtonHouse International School Granada in Riyadh to interact directly with academic programs from the University of New Haven – Riyadh (NHU-Riyadh). Representatives signed the preliminary document in Riyadh, with Senior Vice President Leo Lester representing the university and Chief Executive Officer Shaqeel Said representing EtonHouse Saudi Arabia.
Scope of the NHU-Riyadh and EtonHouse Agreement
Under the signed letter, both educational institutions will design enrichment activities for school pupils. These activities include lectures, student workshops, and direct mentoring from university faculty members. In addition, NHU-Riyadh will provide advisory guidance on school curriculum structures and academic readiness.
“Dual enrollment, mentoring, and campus visits all start from the same idea: university should not be a mystery to school pupils. We will work with EtonHouse on a memorandum of understanding that turns these intentions into activities pupils can join.”
Leo Lester, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for NHU-Riyadh
Alignment With National Education Goals
The collaboration follows guidance from the Saudi Ministry of Education encouraging institutions to bridge the gap between secondary schools and higher education. This initiative aligns with broader economic plans under Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritize knowledge development and human capital in the business environment.
EtonHouse operates an international network founded in Singapore more than 30 years ago. The group provides inquiry-based schooling for more than 20,000 students across eight countries, including China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bhutan, and Saudi Arabia.
Experiential Learning and Academic Pathways
The two parties plan to formalize these enrichment plans in an upcoming memorandum of understanding. Future phases will explore long-term programs as EtonHouse develops its full K-12 curriculum, including dual-enrollment classes and structured degree progression routes into NHU-Riyadh.
“This collaboration turns the same instinct toward the other end of a student’s journey, enabling EtonHouse pupils to experience a university classroom years before they apply to one.”
Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., President of the University of New Haven
Campus Background and Future Plans
NHU-Riyadh represents the international branch campus of the University of New Haven in Saudi Arabia. Situated in Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk City) in Riyadh, the campus holds a foreign branch campus license from the Ministry of Education and maintains accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The institution launched its academic operations on 23 August with the College of Business and Digital Innovation, representing the first of three planned colleges at the site. Through this initiative, NHU-Riyadh and EtonHouse plan to give secondary students direct exposure to higher education faculties and emerging career paths before graduation.
