British Council Marks 50 Years in Saudi Arabia with New Partnerships in Education, Research, and the Arts
The British Council celebrated 50 years of connecting people in Saudi Arabia through education, English, and culture, marking a key milestone in its enduring partnership with the Kingdom.
To commemorate the anniversary, Kate Ewart-Biggs OBE, Deputy Chief Executive of the British Council, visited Riyadh to meet with government officials, partners, and colleagues to reflect on five decades of achievement and to announce new developments supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.
Since its establishment in 1975, the British Council has worked with ministries, schools, universities, and cultural organisations to build skills, nurture innovation, and strengthen cultural connections between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Expanding Access to English and Learning
The British Council continues to deliver IELTS and a portfolio of English assessments, while also developing new English tests tailored to the needs of schools, universities, and professionals in the technical, business, and healthcare sectors.
Strengthening Higher Education and Research Collaboration
The British Council continues to play a central role in advancing academic and research links between the UK and Saudi Arabia. It supported the University of Strathclyde in establishing its new Riyadh campus, contributing to the Kingdom’s higher education priorities.
This year also saw the launch of a new fund supporting joint research, with an investment of nearly GBP 1 million from the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Research, Development and Innovation Authority, focusing on energy and healthcare innovation and strengthening knowledge exchange and scientific collaboration.
Promoting Cultural Exchange and Creative Industries
As part of the visit, Kate Ewart-Biggs met with key cultural partners to reflect on the British Council’s long-standing support for Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing arts and creative industries sector.
Through ongoing collaborations with the Ministry of Culture’s Commissions, Ithra, and the Royal Commission for AlUla, the British Council continues to create opportunities for emerging Saudi artists, curators and cultural leaders to engage with peers in the UK, fostering creative exchange, shared learning and new ideas.
Speaking about the milestone, Matthew Knowles, Country Director, British Council Saudi Arabia, said: “Fifty years in Saudi Arabia represents more than a milestone — it reflects decades of partnership, trust, and shared ambition. Our journey has been defined by collaboration with ministries, universities, schools, and cultural organisations that share our belief in the power of education and creativity to transform lives.
As we look ahead, our focus is on the future. Expanding access to English and learning opportunities, deepening academic and research collaboration, and supporting the Kingdom’s growing creative economy.
This is an exciting moment for the British Council in Saudi Arabia, and for the generations of learners, educators, and artists who will shape the next fifty years of connection between our two countries.”
The British Council’s 50th anniversary celebration in Saudi Arabia reflects its ongoing commitment to creating opportunities through education, research, and the arts, continuing a legacy that connects people, ideas, and institutions between the UK and the Kingdom.
