Under the patronage of the Governor of Riyadh Region, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University celebrated on Sunday, May 17, 2026, the graduation of the 70th cohort of its distinguished students for the academic year 2025–2026, at Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh Hall in the University's Conference Building.
The ceremony commenced with the Saudi national anthem, followed by verses from the Holy Qur'an. Attendees then watched a presentation highlighting the University's achievements. The presentation noted that the University offers 161 academic programs, including doctoral, master's, bachelor's, and diploma programs, through more than 6,211 courses supervised by 3,442 faculty members. The University comprises 14 colleges, 3 institutes, and 78 academic departments inside and outside the Kingdom, in addition to 7 international branches.
The presentation also reviewed key academic and student indicators, revealing that more than 68,537 male and female students are enrolled in various academic programs. In addition, the University offers 30 university requirement courses within six educational tracks, including a specialized track in artificial intelligence, aimed at equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to achieve the University graduate attributes.
The presentation further highlighted that this year's graduating class included 15,755 graduates, comprising 7,500 male students and 8,255 female students, in addition to 490 international students representing 68 countries, as well as 3,134 graduates from the University's branches outside the Kingdom. Since its establishment, the University has graduated more than half a million students.
Following the presentation, a group of students from various colleges and academic levels delivered the graduates' speech, expressing their pride and appreciation for the occasion. They emphasized that their university journey was not merely a stage of academic achievement, but a comprehensive intellectual and human experience that contributed to building character, shaping thought, and enhancing awareness.
The graduates also expressed gratitude to their country and University for the care, support, and guidance they received throughout their academic journey. They praised the role of faculty members in developing their knowledge and refining their abilities, noting that the University contributed to instilling the values of moderation and balance, while promoting a culture of knowledge and responsibility.
One of the international graduates from the People's Republic of China also shared his experience at the University, proudly expressing his affiliation with this educational and intellectual environment. He affirmed that the Kingdom's mission extends beyond spreading knowledge, as it has also contributed to building individuals and strengthening bridges of understanding among nations.
The ceremony also featured the graduates' procession organized by the Deanship of Admission and Registration, symbolizing a journey of giving and success and reflecting the significance of this occasion in the graduates' academic and educational lives. The event coincided with a speech delivered by the Dean of Admission and Registration, Dr. Suleiman Al-Anqari, who reviewed the indicators of the 2025–2026 graduating class. He explained that the University graduated 15,755 students across various academic levels, including 2,787 diploma graduates, 9,105 bachelor's graduates, 1,677 master's graduates, 181 higher diploma graduates, and 845 doctoral graduates.
He also noted that the total number of graduates since the University's first graduating class has reached 479,625 graduates, affirming the University's commitment to preparing students for the labor market through training programs, quality initiatives, community partnerships, and innovation and entrepreneurship support programs, which have benefited more than 20,000 students.
The ceremony also included a visual presentation titled “Graduates' Feelings," featuring scenes and messages through which graduates expressed their pride and gratitude on this occasion, reflecting on their educational and personal experiences at the University and the lasting impact of that stage on their academic and personal journeys.
Afterward, the President of the University, H.E. Prof. Ahmed S. Alaameri, delivered a speech welcoming His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz and expressing his appreciation for his generous patronage and attendance. He affirmed that this support reflects the wise leadership's continuous commitment to advancing education, empowering national talents, and building human capital.
His Excellency explained that the University's mission is based on a vision focused on developing individuals through knowledge, education, and skills in alignment with national development goals and the needs of society and the labor market. He noted that the University has continuously developed its academic programs and curricula according to strong scientific foundations that enhance the quality of educational outcomes and support development objectives.
He further stated that since its establishment, the University has contributed to graduating nearly half a million students in various disciplines, many of whom now hold leadership positions inside and outside the Kingdom, reflecting the quality of its outcomes and the broad impact of its academic and intellectual contributions.
During his speech, His Excellency also delivered three messages on this occasion. In his first message, he expressed his deepest gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for their continuous support and attention to the education sector. In his second message, he congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence and serving their country. In his third message, he expressed appreciation to the graduates' families and University staff for their role and contributions in supporting students throughout their educational journey.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, distinguished graduates and honorees were recognized in appreciation of their achievements and contributions, and the event concluded with commemorative photographs of attendees and honorees.