Goal 4, Quality Education, aims to ensure inclusive and equitable access to quality education.

This goal promotes the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and values needed to function well and contribute to the society.

The targets of this goal range from ensuring universal youth literacy and numeracy, expanding the global number of scholarships available to developing countries and ensuring equal access, for all, to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education.

Providing Equal Opportunities

The 2030 Vision further serves SDG4 by focusing on "providing opportunities for everyone - men and women, young and old - so they may contribute to the best of their abilities. There will be a renewed emphasis on lifelong training and efforts to seek to make the most of the potential of our workforce by encouraging a culture of high performance". 

"Saudi women are yet another great asset. With over 50 percent of Saudi university graduates being female, the government will continue to develop their talents, invest in their productive capabilities and enable them to strengthen their future and contribute to the development of the society and economy.

The government also enable people with disabilities to receive the education and job opportunities that will ensure their independence and integration as effective members of society. They will be provided with all the facilities and tools required to put them on the path to commercial success".

In the heart of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there exists a beacon of educational excellence, a place where the pursuit of knowledge knows no bounds and the commitment to fostering global talent shines ever so brightly. King Abdulaziz University stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication to education's transformative power, not only within the Kingdom but across borders and beyond. This esteemed institution has set its sights on an audacious mission: to elevate the quality of education in the region and to ignite the flame of learning within all who seek it.

With an unyielding resolve, King Abdulaziz University is not content merely with offering academic programs; it seeks to champion their constant enhancement, with a singular goal in mind – to improve the educational outcomes of its students. In this noble pursuit, the university harnesses cutting-edge technology and unwavering commitment to oversee and uphold the quality of the educational experience. 

For instance, the (EQAUP-Plus) electronic platform that was developed in-house to ensure high-quality practices and procedures are followed in academic programs at the university. It was launched in early 2016 till present. The platform allows academic programs to self-evaluating themselves using electronic forms that consist of two parts: practices and key performance indicators (KPIs). The practices and KPIs are derived from Education and Training Evaluation Authority in KSA, and cover all aspects of educational operations, research, and community services. The forms used can be customized as per the sectors' needs. Furthermore, the platform links performance quality to the university's mission, vision, and goals [view the full report on educational quality assurance at KAU].

KAU has made it a priority in its fourth strategic plan to encourage all its academic programs to obtain accreditation. The university believes that accreditation is essential in ensuring the quality of academic programs. As part of this plan, in (2023) KAU has signed an agreement with the Evaluation and Education Commission to accredit 56 academic programs, including bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs. This step aims to support the goals of KAU's Vision 2030 human capabilities development program and enhance the compatibility of KAU's academic programs with the labor market requirements. These (56) programs are in addition to the (60) academic programs already accredited, with (46) programs accredited by prestigious international bodies such as CODA, ABET, and ACIN. The university has also launched a new electronic platform to streamline international and national classification processes.

KAU has developed and implemented the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) to ensure a consistent and efficient process for maintaining educational quality at the university level. The system is designed to be dynamic and sustainable, with the goal of improving academic programs and their outputs to meet the needs of society and the requirements of the labor market. IQAS also aims to ensure that academic programs meet national and international standards and requirements for quality and academic accreditation.

All relevant authorities at the university, including academic and administrative leaders, faculty members, administrative staff, and technicians, are responsible for ensuring that their procedures are in accordance with this system. This will help to promote and disseminate the principles and culture of quality throughout the various sectors of the university.

Yet, the vision of King Abdulaziz University extends far beyond its borders.It beckons the world's eager minds, welcoming students from every corner of the globe to its vibrant campus. In this spirit of global collaboration, the university has attracted over (5,000) international students from more than (50) nationalities in 2022, a diverse mosaic of talents and dreams, all converging under the guiding light of knowledge.

However, the university's commitment to inclusive education reaches even further, as it extends a generous hand to those in need. With academic opportunities offered freely to displaced tribes and refugees, King Abdulaziz University champions the belief that education should be a beacon of hope, accessible to all, regardless of their circumstances. Furthermore, it offers not just education but also financial support, extending monthly allowances to its student.

In the heart of King Abdulaziz University's noble endeavors lies a profound commitment to nurturing minds, uplifting lives, and forging a brighter future for all. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of education and the boundless potential that emerges when knowledge knows no borders. In this institution, the pursuit of learning becomes an inspiring journey, and its impact reverberates far beyond its campus, bringing a world of possibilities to those who dare to dream.

The below areas explain, in details, how KAU is approaching this SDG while enhancing aspects related to Quality Education.