King Saud University (KSU) and the Project Management Institute (PMI) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen project management capability across academia and industry, supporting human capital development through globally recognised best practices.
The partnership brings together KSU, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leading non-profit governmental university founded in 1957, and PMI, the world’s foremost authority in project management. The agreement focuses on enhancing KSU’s human resource capabilities by promoting international standards, applied knowledge, and professional excellence.
The MoU was signed by Mr Abdulmajeed Al-Qusaibi, Chief Human Resources Officer at KSU, and Mr Hanny Alshazly, Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa at PMI. It establishes a broad framework for collaboration centred on thought leadership, research, and knowledge exchange.
Under the agreement, KSU and PMI will co-develop and publish case studies, research outputs, and other knowledge resources that highlight real-world applications and impactful initiatives. The partnership also creates opportunities for senior leaders from both organisations to contribute as speakers and participants in regional and global events, while jointly exploring initiatives to build and strengthen the professional project management community.
“This collaboration with the Project Management Institute reflects King Saud University’s commitment to investing in people, advancing knowledge, and adopting globally benchmarked practices,” said Mr Al-Qusaibi. “By leveraging PMI’s expertise and international network, the University aims to strengthen project leadership capabilities, empower its workforce, and support sustainable institutional excellence.”
As part of the MoU, PMI will support the launch of a tailored digital platform providing KSU faculty and staff with exclusive access to PMI’s professional development ecosystem. This includes globally recognised certifications, experiential learning opportunities, and engagement with an international network of project management practitioners and experts.
“Our partnership with King Saud University, one of the Kingdom’s premier institutions, reflects PMI’s commitment to advancing national workforce capability in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030,” said Mr Alshazly. “Through this collaboration, we are supporting academic, research, and service excellence, while strengthening the capability to lead change and deliver sustainable impact. We are proud to support King Saud University in enhancing institutional performance and long-term success through alignment with global project management standards.”
