Executive Summary
Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University’s 2025 Annual Report reviews the University’s institutional performance, strategic achievements, and progress toward its goals. It reflects the University’s commitment to the directives of the wise leadership, governance and transparency requirements, and alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
First: Institutional Performance Overview
With the grace and support of Allah, the University made significant progress in its academic, research, and administrative performance during 2025. It achieved high completion rates across most indicators of its strategic plan and continues to diligently pursue all its objectives in line with future aspirations.
The University is also continuing to develop its new institutional identity, centered on emerging technologies, in preparation for updating its strategic plan in the coming period.
• 24 performance indicators.
• 20 indicators achieved: 83%.
• 3 indicators partially achieved: 13%.
Second: Key Achievements
University Initiatives
The University implemented 22 major initiatives contributing to:
• The University’s strategic objectives.
• Saudi Vision 2030 realization programs.
• National strategies
University Rankings in International Indices
• 401–500: Times Higher Education.
• 721–730: World University Rankings.
• 701–800: Shanghai Ranking.
Operational and Capital Projects
The University implemented 64 projects covering infrastructure, technology, quality of life, and cybersecurity.
Projects Related to Saudi Vision 2030 Programs
A total of 18 projects:
• 12 projects under the Human Capability Development Program.
• 3 projects under the Quality of Life Program.
• 2 projects under the National Transformation Program.
• 1 project under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
According to the SciVal database, the University outperformed global averages across eight Sustainable Development Goals:
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
• SDG 4: Quality Education.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
• SDG 13: Climate Action.
Automation of Administrative and Financial Processes
• 43 digital platforms and services automated and enhanced.
• 48 websites updated.
Student Activities and Local and International Awards
• 1,149 extracurricular student activities and events.
• More than 82,000 participants.
• 40 participations in external events and competitions.
• 12 local and international awards.
Conferences, Forums, Lectures, and Exhibitions Organized or Attended by the University
• Total activities: 123.
• Total beneficiaries: 51,297.
Student Services
Approximately 74,000 students benefited from services related to:
• Student housing.
• Food services.
• Sports facilities.
• Counseling and guidance.
• Student Fund.
• Student clubs.
Quality of Teaching and Learning
• An average student satisfaction score of 4.01 out of 5 for the teaching and learning environment, based on a five-point Likert scale.
• 25 online courses developed and 10 academic programs updated.
• 1,288 students across 17 disciplines participated in the Readiness Assessment.
• University students outperformed the average of their peers at other Saudi universities in six of the 17 disciplines.
Professional Certifications
• 113 professional certifications.
• 685 recipients of professional certifications.
• 108% growth compared with 2024.
• 70% of academic programs accredited.
• 766 scholarship students, representing 2.3% of the University’s total student population.
Quality of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies
The University’s National Ranking by Number of Published Research Papers
• Fifth nationally in Scopus.
• Sixth nationally in Web of Science.
Published Research
• 4,053 scientific papers indexed in Scopus.
• 3,352 complete research papers indexed in Web of Science.
• 93.2% of research papers published in first- and second-quartile journals.
• More than SAR 96 million in research funding.
• Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI): 1.79.
• 11 specialized programs introduced.
Partnerships and Innovation
• 31 local and international cooperation agreements activated.
• 2 patents registered in the University’s name during the reporting year.
Financial Sustainability and Spending Efficiency
• Self-generated revenue increased by more than SAR 39 million, exceeding the annual target by 108%.
• The University received a score of 3 out of 3 in the assessment conducted by the Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority.
Community Service
• 182 social responsibility programs.
• Approximately 20,000 beneficiaries.
• 229 volunteering opportunities.
• More than 2,400 volunteers.
• 35,179 total volunteer hours.
• An average beneficiary satisfaction score of 4.27 out of 5 for social responsibility programs, based on a five-point Likert scale.
Third: Key Challenges
• Declining competitiveness in retaining highly qualified faculty members and staff.
• A shortage of experienced professionals and specialists in highly technical fields, coupled with difficulties in recruiting talent for operational and technical areas, including technology, cybersecurity, projects, maintenance, auditing, legal governance, and investment.
• Structural pressures on the operating budget and their impact on contractual obligations, resulting from financial commitments carried forward from the previous year and limited funding allocated to current programs and projects.
Fourth: Future Directions
In light of the report’s findings, the University reaffirms its commitment to further developing its educational and research ecosystem, strengthening strategic partnerships, accelerating digital transformation, and achieving financial sustainability. These efforts will enhance institutional performance, maximize developmental impact, and consolidate the University’s standing nationally and internationally in the years ahead.
For further information, please click the link below:
