Riyadh:According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) in Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant international milestone by gaining official recognition from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in the United States. This recognition marks ETEC as the first national accreditation body from the Arab world and the Middle East to receive such acknowledgment, with the recognition granted for a seven-year term.

The scope of the accreditation includes both public and private higher education institutions and academic programs across all disciplines, ranging from associate degrees to doctoral levels. This encompasses various learning models, including in-person, hybrid, and distance education. Additionally, it covers international educational institutions abroad that voluntarily seek the center's accreditation, as well as programs offered by international branch campuses operating legally within Saudi Arabia.

This achievement enhances global confidence in Saudi Arabia's quality assurance framework, boosting the international profile and competitiveness of domestic universities. It also supports initiatives aimed at increasing foreign student enrollment, such as the "Study in Saudi Arabia" program. With this recognition, institutions accredited by ETEC are now eligible to apply for international affiliate membership with CHEA, providing access to a global network of over 1,600 higher education institutions and shared academic resources.

The recognition underscores the maturity and reliability of Saudi Arabia's educational quality assurance standards. It aligns with the goals of the Human Capability Development Program under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the country as an attractive global destination for higher education and academic collaborations.