UCL strengthened its Middle East links during a delegation visit to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, announcing new collaborations, connecting with alumni and taking part in the Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit.
In the run up to UCL's 200th anniversary celebrations in 2026, UCL President & Provost Dr Michael Spence led a senior delegation visit to Riyadh, Jeddah, Thuwal, Dubai and Sharjah in October.
He was accompanied by Angharad Milenkovic, Vice-President Advancement, Professor Nick Witham, Executive Dean of UCL's Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences, Professor Priti Parikh, Vice-Dean (International) of The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment and Professor Paolo Taticchi, Deputy Director (MBA, Global Engagement and Executive Education).
As part of the university's first institutional visit to Saudi Arabia, UCL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), setting out a shared commitment to deeper collaboration across research, education, innovation, and commercialisation.
The two universities have identified potential areas for future collaboration, including student entrepreneurship and innovation, academic programme development including collaborative MBAs, and joint activity in bioengineering fields including vaccine manufacturing.
UCL President & Provost, Dr Michael Spence said: "UCL is committed to fostering a globally connected community driven by innovation, and we recognise the importance of equipping future leaders with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. This MoU with KAUST reflects our shared ambition to explore new models of collaboration, bringing together complementary strengths to advance entrepreneurial education and support innovation ecosystems across borders."
KAUST President Sir Ed Byrne said: "KAUST is in the midst of a transformational phase, expanding its reach through international hubs designed to amplify research, enable translational innovation, and accelerate commercialization. The UK, and London in particular, represents a vital node in that network, and UCL, with its outstanding capabilities in bioprocessing, health innovation, entrepreneurship, and global policy, is a natural partner in this endeavour."
During the visit, Dr Spence took part in a panel event on 'Higher education and the future economy' at the THE World Academic Summit, hosted at KAUST's campus in Thuwal. The summit brought together more than 700 university leaders and academics from around the world.
Professor Joanna Chataway (UCL Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy - STEaPP) was also among panellists in a session about 'Universities as agents of policy change'.
Dr Spence joined the THE President's Forum with other global university leaders, exploring how universities can respond to rapid global changes like shifting political and economic landscapes, breakthroughs in technology, evolving talent needs and the demand for deeper international collaboration.
The visit built on a strong foundation of UCL activity in the Middle East over the years, including innovation and partnership activity with UCL Business - the commercialisation company for UCL - and UCL Consulting (UCLC), the leading provider of academic consultancy services in the UK.
The delegation connected with alumni and supporters in the region through high-profile meetings and a reception in Dubai.
More than 40 UCL alumni were welcomed by delegation members Elizabeth Phipps Drewett, Associate Director of Alumni and Supporter Relations, and Nick Marsden, Associate Director of Development (Faculties), for a special reception at ME Dubai, held in the iconic Opus building. The event offered alumni a chance to reconnect, network, and celebrate UCL's global community. Guests also heard the latest updates from London, including exciting plans for UCL's bicentennial celebrations in 2026 and recent research developments presented by Professor Parikh.
Dr Spence also had an introductory meeting with the Minister of Education, Vice Minister of Education, and Deputy of Scholarships for Saudi Arabia in Riyadh to discuss potential cooperation.
At the same time as the delegation visit, Dr Will Lovegrove, UCL's Director of Strategic Innovation Partnerships travelled to Saudi Arabia to attend the Elsevier 'Tomorrow Today in Research 2025' conference. UCL's Innovation & Enterprise team were commissioned to deliver an innovation dashboard by Elsevier, which Dr Lovegrove presented.
me as the delegation visit, Dr Will Lovegrove, UCL's Director of Strategic Innovation Partnerships travelled to Saudi Arabia to attend the Elsevier 'Tomorrow Today in Research 2025' conference. UCL's Innovation & Enterprise team were commissioned to deliver an innovation dashboard by Elsevier, which Dr Lovegrove presented.
