Rutgers University and King Saud University signed a letter of intent that establishes a framework for the two institutions to collaborate in the fields of public policy, management, business administration, urban planning, city development and other areas of study to increase economic and academic cooperation.
The signing was witnessed by Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife Tammy and representatives of Choose New Jersey for the New Jersey Gulf Arab States Mission to Saudi Arabia. They arrived in the kingdom on Saturday for a six-day junket.
“The Rutgers Business School and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy will lead the collaborative initiatives with King Saud University,” said Antonio M. Calcado, executive vice president & chief operating officer of Rutgers University. “By sharing knowledge and strategies, this partnership will bring new academic and cultural perspectives to students, which is critical to finding innovative solutions to the challenges facing both regions.”
“Collaboration is the key to effective public policy, and this Letter of Intent is a commitment by New Jersey to continuously improve our educational resources,” said Wesley Mathews, president and CEO of Choose New Jersey. “As New Jersey strengthens its international relationships in academia, our students are able to meet the rising demands of key industries and become part of our skilled workforce.”
King Saud University is Saudi Arabia’s first university, founded in 1957. The institution is based in the kingdom’s capital of Riyadh and is home to more than 70,000 students.
Choose NJ is a privately funded economic development organization whose mission is to stimulate job creation and attract capital investment to New Jersey.
The trip was not without controversy. The governor was slammed on social media for leaving the state while wildfires still raged in New Jersey and municipalities were grappling with budget shortfalls, forcing towns to lay off teachers. Critics contend the trip was a waste of taxpayer money.
