We are a global university and proudly part of North East England. That is the message our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O'Brien, took to the Times Higher Education's World Academic Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, recently.
The Summit attracts university leaders from all over the world. It was being held in the Middle East for the first time, in partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The theme was universities as agents of progress.
The event welcomed over 850 registered participants and more than 100 university presidents, vice-chancellors, and global thought leaders from across six continents.
It explored how higher education can confront the great challenges and transformations shaping the future — from artificial intelligence and global collaboration to sustainability and human capital development.
Culturally conscious leadership
Professor O'Brien joined a panel to discuss culturally conscious leadership in higher education. She spoke about our work to embed cultural diversity into institutional governance, student engagement, and curriculum development.
Her role, she told delegates, was to think about how we can bring international and national outlook together, in our place.
Connecting with Durham alumni
During her visit, the Vice-Chancellor was able to connect with more than 40 of our graduates, at an event hosted at the British Embassy by Stephen Hitchen, the UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and himself a Durham alumnus.
Professor O'Brien praised the work of Dr Eman Altuwaijri in developing our Saudi alumni group.
Engaging with partners
The Vice-Chancellor and senior colleagues also visited Princess Naurah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh. PNU is the largest female-only university in the world, and one of our key partners. We work together across areas including energy and archaeology research.
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