The development of the new NHU-Riyadh campus is progressing at Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City, also known as Misk City, in Riyadh. This facility will house the College of Business and Digital Innovation, which represents the university’s first academic offering in Saudi Arabia. Consequently, construction teams are currently assembling classrooms and preparing the interior spaces for the upcoming academic term.
Construction Progresses at the NHU-Riyadh campus
The physical layout of the facility is transitioning from design plans into built environments. Specifically, Saudi workplace design and fit-out specialist C1 is executing the interior construction under a contract signed by university leadership. This phase follows the initial design reveal in June, which was completed in partnership with United Kingdom education architects Kampus.
Furthermore, the project has moved rapidly through several development phases over the past few months. The university secured the site lease in May, finalized the architectural designs in June, and initiated the physical fit-out shortly thereafter. As a result, the facility remains on schedule to welcome its inaugural cohort of students this autumn.
Collaborative Design and Local Expertise
The design of the facility emphasizes experiential learning environments and collaborative spaces for students. To achieve this, C1 is utilizing its experience in delivering major corporate headquarters across the Kingdom. Notably, the firm has previously completed projects for the Public Investment Fund, ROSHN, and the Ministry of Culture.
In addition, the collaboration aims to merge specialized educational architecture with high-quality local construction standards. The design features classrooms that support hands-on training rather than traditional lecture formats. Consequently, the physical environment directly supports the practical curriculum of the business and digital innovation programs.
Leadership Perspectives on the Project
University leaders and project partners have emphasized the student-centric focus of the new facility. Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., President of the University of New Haven, stated that the institution designed the space specifically around the student experience. He noted that every design choice, including the selection of furniture, aims to support student learning.
“The University imagined a college built around the student experience; Kampus gave that vision its color, and C1 is giving it shape.”
Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., President of the University of New Haven
Meanwhile, C1 leadership highlighted the long-term educational impact of the project within the local community. Hisham Alireza, chief executive officer of C1, stated that the firm is building a place where the Kingdom learns. He added that this educational facility represents one of the most significant projects the company has delivered.
“Of everything we have delivered, none will matter longer than this college.”
Hisham Alireza, chief executive officer of C1
Academic Offerings and Future Outlook
The NHU-Riyadh campus operates as the international branch campus of the University of New Haven in Saudi Arabia. It holds an official foreign branch campus license from the Ministry of Education and has received accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education. Therefore, the institution aligns its academic standards with both local and international requirements.
The College of Business and Digital Innovation is the first of three planned colleges that the university intends to establish in the Kingdom. Students can currently submit applications for the opening semester, which begins in the fall of 2026. This initiative supports the broader goals of education and economy development within the region.
Ultimately, the establishment of the NHU-Riyadh campus at Misk City provides students with direct access to a modern learning environment. By combining international academic programs with local industry partnerships, the university aims to prepare graduates for the evolving digital economy.
