University of New Haven and Saudi Ministry of Investment Announce Strategic Collaboration to Build Sports-Sector Talent in the Kingdom
A joint collaboration unveiled at World Football Summit 2025 in Riyadh will support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and build momentum toward the launch of the University’s flagship Sport Management degree at its new Riyadh campus in 2026.
December 22, 2025
(L-R) Leo Lester and Basim Ibrahim.
The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) and the University of New Haven announced a strategic collaboration to build human capital for the Kingdom’s rapidly growing sports sector, following a joint announcement at the World Football Summit 2025, held in Riyadh on 10–11 December 2025.
The announcement was made by Basim Ibrahim of the Ministry of Investment and Dr. Leo Lester, Saudi Arabia Branch Manager for the University of New Haven.
Working in close coordination with the Ministry of Investment, the University of New Haven has already delivered pilot Sports Event Security courses on behalf of the Ministry of Sport and is working to expand its lifelong learning offerings in the Kingdom through professional training, executive education, and joint capacity-building initiatives.
In parallel, the University of New Haven is set to launch its Riyadh campus in 2026, including its flagship undergraduate degree program in Sport Management, building on the University’s established strengths in sport management, business, security, and public safety. The Riyadh campus is being developed in alignment with the Kingdom’s higher-education regulations and international accreditation standards and was the first international branch campus to receive consent to establish.