Northern Border University (NBU) is a public university located in Arar, Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 2007. It stands as the only university serving the Northern Border Region.

Being the only university in the Northern Borders Region, NBU enjoys a unique position in higher education in Saudi Arabia. The university’s plans are inspired by the region’s rich values, culture, history, and location.

Clearly, this makes NBU far more than just an academic institution. It is a cornerstone of the region’s development and identity.

History and Founding

During his historic visit to the Northern Border Region, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, announced the Royal Decree to establish Northern Border University. It merged The Teachers’ College with the two branches of King Abdulaziz University, both in Arar and Rafha.

Following its founding, NBU expanded rapidly. New colleges were established, including the College of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Applied Medical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, and Community College.

Moreover, the university has continued growing ever since, adding campuses and programs to meet regional demand.

Campuses and Locations

NBU operates across four campuses in the Northern Border Region. Its main campus is located in Arar, the capital city of the Northern Border Region, while its branches are located in Rafha, Turaif, and Al-Uwayqilah.

Here is a quick breakdown of the campuses:

Arar (Main Campus) – 9 colleges
Rafha – 4 colleges
Turaif – 2 colleges
Al-Uwayqilah – 1 college

Notably, this wide geographic reach ensures that students across the entire Northern Border Region can access quality higher education close to home.

Academic Programs and Colleges

The university’s teaching is split across 16 faculties. In Arar, these include Education and Arts, Business Administration, Science, Engineering, Medicine, Applied Medical Science, Home Economics, Nursing, and Community. While In Rafha, the faculties include Computing and Information Technology, Pharmacy, Science and Arts, and Community, in Turaif, the faculties are Science and Arts and Community. In Al-Uwayqilah, the faculty is Science and Arts.

Furthermore, the university currently offers over 47 academic programs of study.

Students can choose from programs at the following levels:

Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Master’s Degree Programs

Fields of study include business, computer science, engineering, education, law, medicine, pharmacy, and sciences.

In addition, the Cybersecurity program has recently received full accreditation, reflecting NBU’s commitment to modern and in-demand disciplines.

Mission and Vision

NBU aspires to become a distinguished and credible university, recognized for its academic programs based on building competency, research, innovation, and providing services across the region and the Kingdom.

NBU’s mission is to prepare students to face challenges by providing rich and innovative educational experiences that meet the labour market’s demands. It aims to enhance their core competencies through both classroom and extracurricular activities.

The university’s core goals include:

Providing excellent education that sharpens intellect and professionalism
Stimulating research and innovation based on university research priorities
Developing strong community partnerships

Most importantly, NBU’s Strategic Plan aligns with the region’s rich natural resources, Saudi Vision 2030, and the New University System.

Research and Innovation

NBU believes in the power of scientific research and innovation to drive change. It encourages exploration across various disciplines, with particular emphasis on addressing the local community’s needs.

This approach strengthens NBU’s position as a leading center for knowledge and creativity in the region.

In addition, student teams from the College of Engineering at NBU have qualified to participate in the global Future Minerals Pioneers competition, held as part of the International Mining Conference in Riyadh.

Evidently, NBU students are competing and excelling on an international stage.

International Partnerships

NBU has partnerships and collaborations with various international universities and institutions, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the United States, the University of Stavanger in Norway, and the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom.

These global connections expose NBU students to world-class academic practices. As a result, graduates gain a competitive edge in both local and international job markets.

Digital Services and Student Support

NBU offers a full suite of digital tools to support its students, staff, and alumni. These include:

Digital Repository (SDL) – A platform for accessing scientific research and academic publications
Skills Record System – Documents all non-academic achievements and skills earned during a student’s university journey
Alumni Portal – Connects graduates with job opportunities and training programs
Surveys Management System – Collects feedback and supports data-driven decision making
Events Management System – Manages university events and invitations

The Skills Record System is an integrated platform designed to document all skills and achievements acquired by students throughout their university journey. It enables students to obtain an official record that reflects their non-academic skills, contributing to improved employability and strengthening their resume.

Clearly, NBU takes student success beyond the classroom seriously.

Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030

In alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the objective of NBU’s Applied College is to equip the labour market with qualified national professionals who can adequately support specializations and occupations that fulfill the country’s needs.

NBU monitors performance indicator levels related to its colleges as approved by the Ministry of Education, to achieve Vision 2030.

Consequently, every program and initiative at NBU serves a larger national purpose.