Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – September 28, 2026 – Effat University has earned international institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) in the United States, becoming the first university in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region, and the fifth in the Middle East, to receive NECHE accreditation.
The accreditation marks a significant milestone in Effat University's continued pursuit of institutional quality, academic excellence, and international recognition. It reflects the University's ongoing efforts to advance its academic programs, strengthen governance and quality assurance, enhance the student experience, and promote institutional effectiveness in line with internationally recognized standards.
With this achievement, Effat University joins the community of NECHE-accredited institutions, which includes some of the world's leading higher education institutions, such as Harvard University, Yale University, Tufts University, and Boston University.
Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Haifa Reda Jamalallail, President of Effat University, said: “Earning NECHE accreditation is the culmination of years of dedicated work and a sustained commitment to quality and excellence across our academic and institutional practices. We are proud of this achievement, which reflects the collective efforts of the entire Effat University community. This accreditation also marks a new step forward, inspiring us to continue advancing, innovating, and providing an educational experience that creates lasting impact for our students and community."
She added: “We extend our sincere appreciation to Their Highnesses, Their Excellencies, and the esteemed members of the Board of Trustees for their continued support and guidance, which have played an important role in the University's journey and in advancing its aspirations for excellence and leadership in higher education."
The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) is an independent, nonprofit institutional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Its roots trace back to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), founded in 1885. NECHE became an independent accrediting commission in 2018 and accredits colleges and universities in the United States, as well as higher education institutions outside the United States that meet its requirements and standards.
NECHE evaluates higher education institutions against a comprehensive set of standards covering areas including mission and governance, academic programs, student learning and success, faculty, institutional resources and effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
Effat University, founded in Jeddah in 1999, is a private, nonprofit university committed to providing high-quality education and advancing research, innovation, and community engagement. The University offers a diverse range of academic programs across multiple disciplines at the diploma, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, with an ongoing commitment to enhancing educational quality and the student experience in line with recognized academic standards and best practices.
Throughout its journey, Effat University has fostered a strong institutional culture of quality assurance and has pursued national and international accreditation at both the institutional and academic-program levels. Its international accreditation achievements include AACSB accreditation for its business programs, ABET accreditation for its engineering and computing programs, and NAAB accreditation for its Bachelor of Science in Architecture program.
NECHE accreditation further reinforces Effat University's commitment to internationally benchmarked institutional quality and continuous improvement, while strengthening its position within the global higher education landscape. The University looks forward to building on this milestone as it continues to advance its educational mission, contribute to the development of its students, support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, and strengthen its contributions to local and global communities.
