Develop and deliver transformative learning experiences that nurture students holistically and prepare them for work and life. For the undergraduate and graduate students to derive maximum value from their experience at UBT, it is critical to ensure there is a well-established continuum of intellectual growth and personal development that extends well beyond classroom interactions. To achieve this, UBT is committed to extending and integrating students’ academic experience into a larger and holistic student lifecycle journey, emphasizing learning by doing and providing pathways for purposeful learning and professional development. This focus area challenges UBT to integrate seamlessly academic innovation, collaborative experiential learning, quality academic and career advising and development to (a) increase student retention, progression and graduation, (b) achieve a more complete and transformative learning experience and ensure work-ready, sought-after graduates.

Develop and maintain high quality market-driven academic and executive programs that meet local and international standards, delivered by talented faculty who adapt innovative and engaging learning and teaching practices. Curriculum is the cornerstone of UBT’s academic excellence. This theme reflects UBT’s commitment in the next five years to improve the quality, breadth and relevance of its academic and professional programs, adopt innovative and technology-enhanced practices in teaching and learning for greater impact on learners within UBT and professionals in the industry. This theme seeks to challenge UBT to strengthen its market position in two major areas: Academic Programs and Executive Education. Concerning academic programs this area challenges UBT to transform the curriculum by providing a holistic experience integrating program intellectual rigor, practice-based learning and essential soft skillset. Regarding executive education, UBT seeks to increase its market presence through highly-responsive, value for money executive programs that caters for the immediate needs of professionals in public and private sectors. Another important dimension that cut across the activities in this theme is enhancing faculty teaching and learning skills, developing outcome-based assessment and technology-enhanced learning tools and practices.

Create a vibrant intellectual environment that stimulates innovative research in key focus areas with tangible impact on the curriculum, Industry and the Economy. Create an innovative research ecosystem with cross-college collaborations and local and international partnerships aimed at addressing real issues with tangible impact on the industry and the community. This theme challenges UBT to advance its reputation locally through research that aligns with KSA’s vision 2030 and the country’s transformation plan and internationally through research initiatives that address world issues including the Sustainable Development Goals.

Develop strong and constructive relationships with the wider communities by contributing to the cultural, social and economic wellbeing of the local and international communities. Community engagement is an integral part of UBT vision and mission. It demonstrates UBT’s commitment to the cultural, social and economic development of Saudi Arabia as well as contribution to the global community. By this theme, UBT intends to forge mutually beneficial partnerships with the community to achieve higher economic and social impact. To meet this goal, UBT will, in the next five years, be providing opportunities for faculty members, staff and students to integrate community-based initiatives with scholarly activities through (a) active participation in internships and student exchange, (b) offering lifelong learning programs in the form of awareness and community building programs and (c) engagement in community development projects. UBT will ensure that it has a coordinated and consistent program of wider community engagement to enable it to play a tangible and visible role in addressing real issues in the economy, the community regionally and internationally.

Develop globally relevant partnerships to advance UBT’s mission and foster an international learning culture for the development of faculty and students, research and curriculum. This theme reflects UBT’s commitment to extend its reach beyond the national boundaries by establishing partnerships that advance the university’s mission. UBT has already developed significant international partnership covering France, London and the USA. UBT will further grow and nurture these partnerships in the next 5 years to increase knowledge sharing in teaching and learning, seek opportunities for research collaboration and joint degree programs and attract international students’ as well as facilitate student exchange and pursuit of graduate studies internationally.

Cultivate a system-wide culture of quality, organizational integrity, effectiveness and sound governance that will enable UBT to achieve its mission and strategic objectives. This theme is a key enabler to UBT mission to sustain a strategically and operationally fit institution. It demonstrates UBT’s commitment to build a strong foundation business continuity through a system that integrates quality assurance, strategic planning and a framework for governance and accountability. Through this theme, UBT is committed to putting in place a system of “checks and balances” taking into consideration: (a) internal assessment and accountability and (b) external review and assessment through benchmarking, peer review and accreditation.

Create a campus environment conducive to attracting, retaining, developing and rewarding talented faculty and staff. This theme is a critical enabler to UBT’s mission and core themes. It focusses primarily on developing an organizational culture that values diversity and ensures that people play a meaningful and productive role, that they embrace UBT’s core values, are effectively developed and motivated to perform highly. It is also emphasizes faculty and staff are valued and adequately rewarded for their contribution to the mission and aspirations of UBT. This theme challenges the UBT community of faculty and staff to embrace change and seeks continuous improvement through engagement, leadership and teamwork across the colleges and departments.

Provide quality facilities and infrastructure that enable effective, responsive and safe delivery of campus services for the benefit of students, faculty and staff and users beyond the University. The provision of academic and support services across UBT is complex, with a range of providers and funding sources. This strategic enabler reflects the UBT commitment to provide, continuously upgrade and maintain campus facilities that enables the students’ learning experience, faculty teaching and research, and staff access to adequate services.

Enhance UBT’s financial sustainability through increased income generation, efficient financial planning and resource allocation to meet academic and operational objectives. The strategic enabler reflects UBT commitment to optimize its financial resources to deliver its mission in a sustainable manner. This would include developing effective strategies for revenue generation and diversification, prudent spending as well as ensuring operational efficiency and management of the university assets. UBT is committed in the next five years to increase its revenue from its existing sources, including, academic programs, executive education, research and consultancy and the language academy. Further, the university is exploring to grow other sources of fund through philanthropic donations and endowment (Waqaf).