For the First Time in Arab History: An Arab University Joins the World’s Top 70 – KFUPM Leads the Way

OUS Academy in Switzerland
Aug 1
2 min read

In a groundbreaking achievement for Arab higher education, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) has become the first university from the Arab world in history to be ranked among the Top 70 universities globally, securing the 67th position in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.

This marks a historic turning point—not just for Saudi Arabia, but for the entire Arab region. No Arab university has ever before reached this level in any major global university ranking system, including QS, Times Higher Education (THE), or Shanghai ARWU. This is not just a success—it is a moment of pride and validation for Arab academic excellence on the world stage.

A Historic Leap Forward

Founded in 1963 in Dhahran and focused initially on petroleum and minerals engineering, KFUPM has evolved into a global science and innovation hub. From ranking #200 in 2020, it has advanced rapidly to #101 in 2025, and now, in 2026, sits proudly among the top 70 global institutions—a feat never achieved before by any Arab institution.

This historic advancement was made possible by a bold strategic shift launched in 2020, under the leadership of President Dr. Muhammad Al-Saggaf. The university became an independent public institution and launched one of the most ambitious academic transformations in the region’s history.

What Drove KFUPM’s Rise?

Independence & Governance Reform: Gained institutional autonomy in 2020, allowing agile, innovation-driven governance.
AI+X Strategy: Integrated AI education across disciplines—from engineering and business to science and humanities.
Entrepreneurship Revolution: Became the first university in the Gulf to give full startup ownership to students.
Patent Powerhouse: Ranks among the top 4 global universities in U.S. patent filings.
Academic Excellence: KFUPM ranks in the Top 5 globally for petroleum engineering, Top 10 for mining engineering, and Top 50–60 across several STEM fields.

Symbol of a New Era for Arab Education

This milestone is not only about one university’s success—it’s a signal that the Arab world is capable of producing global centers of academic innovation, research excellence, and educational transformation.

KFUPM is now the highest-ranked university in the Arab region ever, beating records previously held by institutions in the UAE, Lebanon, and Egypt, none of which have entered the Top 100.

What It Means for the Region

Historic Validation: Arab institutions can compete globally—not just regionally.
Vision Realized: Aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and broader Arab modernization strategies.
Model for Others: Sets a new benchmark for transformation, excellence, and ambition.

Fast Facts

Metric	Result
QS Global Rank (2026)	#67
First Arab University in Global Top 70	✅ Yes
Previous Highest-Ranked Arab Universities	None in Top 100
Field Strengths	Petroleum, Mining, AI, Chemical Engineering, Cybersecurity
Top Global Patent Ranking	Among world’s top 4
Strategy Launch Year	2020

Final Words

For decades, Arab universities have worked to close the global academic gap. KFUPM’s entry into the Top 70 worldwide proves that excellence is not a dream—it is achievable with vision, leadership, investment, and courage. This is a proud day not only for Saudi Arabia, but for the entire Arab world.

KFUPM’s story is not just about climbing rankings—it’s about rewriting the narrative of what is possible for Arab education on the global stage.