Rutgers and Saudi Arabian Nursing School Forge Partnership to Strengthen Global Nursing Workforce

A delegation from Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib College for Knowledge visits U.S. to promote collaborative agreement

Against the backdrop of a global nursing shortage and increasing demand for skilled health professionals, the Rutgers School of Nursing and the Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib College for Knowledge of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have joined forces to expand nursing education and promote international collaboration.

During a three-day visit to Rutgers’ New Brunswick and Newark campuses, leaders from the newly established Saudi nursing college met with Rutgers faculty and administrators to explore academic models, clinical partnerships and student support systems. The visit included the signing of a memorandum of understanding that establishes a framework for academic exchange, joint research and shared learning between the two institutions.

The Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib College for Knowledge – a private, nonprofit institution founded in September 2024 under the Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, one of the Middle East’s largest health care systems – admitted its first class of nursing students in August. 

“Health care challenges transcend borders,” said Angela Starkweather, dean and professor of the Rutgers School of Nursing. “By sharing knowledge, research and innovation, we can prepare nurses everywhere to meet the needs of their communities – and, in doing so, improve health outcomes globally.”

By sharing knowledge, research and innovation, we can prepare nurses everywhere to meet the needs of their communities – and, in doing so, improve health outcomes globally.

Angela Starkweather

Dean, Rutgers School of Nursing

“Our collaboration with Rutgers is an investment in the future of nursing education in Saudi Arabia,” said Monir M. Almotairy, founding dean and associate professor of the Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib College for Knowledge. “We are delighted to be thought partners alongside Rutgers in areas such as leadership, faculty development, simulation, curriculum enhancement, student engagement, and to bring those lessons back home to benefit our health care system.

Saudi Arabia faces a nursing shortage as health care demands rise and the nation works to expand access under Saudi Vision 2030. The country has relied on an expatriate workforce, with Saudi nationals accounting for only a small percentage of practicing nurses.

To improve care quality, Saudi Vision 2030 calls for broad health system reforms that expand local training and career opportunities. In response, both government and private sectors are investing in nursing education, scholarships and faculty development – particularly to recruit and retain Saudi citizens. 

The memorandum of understanding – the first between Rutgers and Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib College for Knowledge – outlines four primary areas of collaboration: faculty development, curriculum innovation, student and faculty exchange and the design of future postgraduate nursing programs. Together, the institutions aim to strengthen nursing education and research, promote academic and cultural exchange, and build long-term capacity within Saudi Arabia’s health care system.

“Initiatives like this foster genuine two-way learning,” said Emilia Iwu, assistant dean of global health and clinical associate professor at the Rutgers School of Nursing. “Working alongside our international colleagues allows us to learn from each other’s strengths, share innovations in education and practice, and advance nursing together – in the U.S. and abroad.”

Working alongside our international colleagues allows us to learn from each other’s strengths, share innovations in education and practice, and advance nursing together – in the U.S. and abroad.

Emilia Iwu

Assistant Dean of Global Health, Rutgers School of Nursing

Iwu, who will coordinate the initiative alongside Caitriona Brennan, director of education and training, added, “Together, we’re creating pathways for faculty and students to grow as global citizens and leaders in health care.”

In addition to Almotairy and Brennan, the visiting delegation comprised Ayman Al Khadra, chief medical officer of the Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, and Abdullah Bukhari, executive director of academic affairs at the College for Knowledge. 

“This partnership exemplifies Rutgers Health’s commitment to working across borders to advance education, research, and patient care,” said Brian L. Strom, chancellor of Rutgers Health and executive vice president for health affairs at Rutgers. “By helping to launch and strengthen new programs in nursing and health professions worldwide, we extend Rutgers’ mission of improving health and transforming care on a global scale.”

From Oct. 22 to 24, the delegation visited Rutgers’ Newark and New Brunswick campuses, meeting with university leaders, faculty and staff representing every facet of nursing education – from admissions and academic affairs to simulation, research and clinical partnerships. The itinerary included tours of simulation and clinical learning labs, as well as working sessions on topics such as graduate and undergraduate nursing programs, faculty and student exchange opportunities, and joint research initiatives.

The new partnership marks Rutgers School of Nursing’s latest step in advancing global engagement and health equity. The Center for Global Health leads this effort by promoting international collaboration, education and research that connect Rutgers faculty and students with partners across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Its programs include study-abroad opportunities, global research collaborations and capacity-building initiatives that strengthen nursing education and practice in diverse settings. The center also supports visiting scholars and international fellowships focused on addressing emerging global health challenges.