In a strategic move aimed at building the next generation and developing human capital, Saudi Aramco , a global leader in energy and chemicals, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Ministry of Education . This partnership aims to combine efforts to promote a culture of volunteerism, develop students' skills in vital areas, and support safety and security initiatives within the school environment.
Historical background and national context
This collaboration comes within the framework of the major transformations taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the umbrella of Vision 2030 , which places human capital development at the heart of its priorities. Saudi Aramco has long played a pivotal role that extends beyond the energy sector, serving as a key partner in community development through its numerous initiatives in education, health, and the environment. For its part, the Ministry of Education is working to modernize the education system to meet the demands of the future labor market, focusing on skills rather than rote learning, making this partnership both complementary and perfectly timed.
Details and objectives of the memorandum
The memorandum was signed during the “Investment in Education and Training 2026” forum in Riyadh, which coincided with the International Day of Education, lending the event special significance. The memorandum includes several key points, most notably:
- Volunteer work: A study to include Aramco's volunteer programs within the approved volunteer hours for high school students, thus instilling the value of giving and community service in the younger generation.
- Future Skills (STEM): Designing and implementing specialized educational and applied programs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with the aim of promoting innovation and problem-solving abilities among students.
- Security and Safety: Developing awareness and training programs to raise awareness of security and safety concepts in schools, by leveraging Aramco’s long-standing experience in this field.
In this context, Mr. Nabil bin Abdullah Al-Jamea , Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services at Saudi Aramco, stated that “this collaboration confirms the keenness of both parties to continue their joint efforts in establishing a culture of volunteering and achieving a sustainable social impact. It is an investment in the Kingdom’s generations and a contribution to empowering students with future skills and preparing them to benefit from promising opportunities.”
Importance and expected impact
At the local , this partnership is expected to transform the educational environment, providing students with practical opportunities to apply their knowledge and develop their personal and professional skills. At the national , the memorandum directly contributes to achieving the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, one of the Vision 2030 programs, by building a qualified national workforce capable of competing globally. It also represents a pioneering model of effective public-private partnerships for achieving sustainable development.
It is worth mentioning that this cooperation is an extension of previous successes, such as the “Schools Volunteer Program” which was launched in 2023 in cooperation with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and witnessed the participation of more than 131,000 volunteers who completed more than 1.25 million volunteer hours, which confirms the existence of a solid foundation on which to build to achieve more accomplishments.
