PRESS RELEASE
[AUSTIN – September 9, 2025] — The Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) in Austin, Texas, and the University of Business and Technology (UBT) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, announced today a new agreement to strengthen collaboration between the two organizations through a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The understanding aims to expand academic exchange and foster deeper engagement between UBT and TIEC’s network of Texas higher education institutions.
As part of the newly signed MOU, the two institutions have agreed to collaborate on a range of academic and cultural initiatives designed to deepen engagement and create new opportunities for students and faculty alike. Areas of cooperation may include the development of new academic programs, potential joint grant proposals, faculty and student exchanges, and co-hosted events like conferences and workshops. The partnership will also support curriculum innovation, accreditation efforts, and the exchange of expertise in disciplines of shared interest, with all activities conducted in accordance with the regulations of both countries.
“Our new agreement with UBT reflects TIEC’s commitment to building meaningful international relationships that connect Texas’s diverse higher education institutions with like-minded partners around the world,” said Deneyse Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of TIEC. “By working together, we’re creating new pathways for students and faculty that strengthen academic exchange and prepare graduates in both Texas and Saudi Arabia to thrive in a globally competitive workforce.”
“This collaboration with TIEC offers valuable opportunities for our faculty and students to engage with a broad and dynamic network of Texas institutions,” said Dr. Weam Hussni Tunsi, president of UBT. “We are committed to pursuing joint research initiatives and professional development that support academic excellence and global readiness in both regions.”
TIEC represents a diverse network of higher education institutions across Texas, facilitating international education programs and partnerships to expand global opportunities for students and faculty. UBT is a leading private university based in Jeddah, dedicated to advancing academic excellence through innovative programs and research that prepare students for competitive careers in a rapidly evolving global economy. Together, TIEC and UBT aim to foster collaboration that enriches educational opportunities for faculty and students in Texas and Saudi Arabia.
To learn more about TIEC’s academic partnership management programs and team, please visit https://www.tiec.org/academic-partnership-management.
About the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC):
Founded in 1985, the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that forges international partnerships and fosters a worldwide community dedicated to educational excellence, connecting Texas with the world. TIEC’s membership encompasses more than 60 institutions, representing universities and colleges across Texas as well as affiliate members in 15 countries. TIEC has contributed to the development and expansion of higher education institutions in more than 40 nations across a broad spectrum of disciplines. TIEC brings four decades of experience promoting member institutions internationally, amplifying their excellence in innovation, research, and student learning outcomes, to bridge Texas expertise with global opportunities for collaboration.
About the University of Business and Technology (UBT):
Founded in 2000 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the University of Business and Technology (UBT) has grown into one of the Kingdom’s leading private universities. UBT offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs through its four colleges: Business Administration, Engineering, Law, and Advertising, in addition to its English Language Institute. Accredited by the Saudi Ministry of Education and recognized by international ranking bodies such as QS, UBT is committed to academic excellence, innovation, and preparing graduates with the skills required by the labor market.
Media contacts:
Susan Katz, Texas International Education Consortium
susan.katz@tiec.org
