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On September 4, 2026, Shinshu University signed an inter-university academic collaboration agreement (Memorandum of Understanding; MoU) with King Saud University (KSU) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step forward in educational and research exchange between the two institutions. The signing ceremony was held at Hotel Metropolitan Nagano, where His Excellency Dr. Ali M. Masmali, President of KSU, and Dr. Soichiro Nakamura, President of Shinshu University, formally signed the agreement.

Founded in 1957, KSU is Saudi Arabia's oldest university and an internationally recognized research institution, ranked 107th in the QS World University Rankings.

Since exchanges began in November 2022, KSU and Shinshu University have developed a strong relationship built on collaborative research, reciprocal visits, and mutual trust. The MoU elevates this cooperation from individual researcher-led initiatives to a formal inter-university partnership, providing an institutional framework for joint research and exchanges involving researchers and students.

The ceremony was attended by a KSU delegation led by His Excellency Dr. Ali M. Masmali and including Dr. Hamad Albrithen, General Supervisor of the King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology. Representing Shinshu University were President Nakamura, Distinguished Honorary Professor Morinobu Endo, Executive Director Hironori Yasuda, and Vice President Mizue Kayama.

In his opening remarks, President Nakamura described KSU as one of Saudi Arabia's leading research universities. He expressed confidence that bringing together the distinctive strengths of the two institutions, despite their different natural and cultural environments, would create new value. Emphasizing that "this agreement is not the end, but the beginning of action," he set out his vision for deepening the partnership through concrete initiatives.

His Excellency Dr. Masmali expressed strong expectations for the partnership and KSU's commitment to close cooperation in priority fields, including water resources and nanocarbon technologies. He also voiced his hope that the partnership would advance student and faculty exchanges as well as joint research.

Following the signing and exchange of the agreements, the presentation of commemorative gifts, and an official photo session, a press conference was held.

Distinguished Honorary Professor Endo and researchers from KSU reviewed the development of the relationship and outlined future plans for joint research and researcher and student mobility. Professor Endo highlighted the institutions' previous collaboration in water treatment and desalination research, noting that the new university-wide framework would enable them to expand researcher and student exchanges and accelerate the practical application of their research.

Building on the MoU, the two universities will draw on their complementary research strengths and global networks to develop collaborative initiatives that address global challenges and translate research outcomes into solutions with tangible benefits for society.