Academic Accreditation, the Safeer Portal, and Degree Equivalency: A Comprehensive Guide for Students in Saudi Arabia
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How to Differentiate Between Global Accreditation and Government Scholarship Lists
The higher education sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia receives immense attention, and the regulations for evaluating foreign degrees are notably rigorous to ensure quality outcomes that align with Vision 2030. Amidst this rapid development, many students experience common confusion between the concept of "International Academic Accreditation" and the "Safeer" portal lists for government scholarships.
At Swiss International University, transparency is our top priority. Because we deeply value our students from Saudi Arabia, we have prepared this guide to clarify the facts and transparently outline our academic and legal standing.
1. The Common Misconception: The "Safeer" Portal is for Scholarships, Not Exclusive Recognition
Many people fall into a common error when they search for a university's name in the "Safeer" system, believing it to be the sole list of globally recognized universities. This concept is entirely inaccurate:
The Safeer Portal (Recommended Universities): This is a list specifically designed to organize government scholarships only. It is named "Safeer" (Ambassador/Traveler) because it targets physical travel and on-campus study in a host country. This pathway does not include or accept distance learning programs.
Reading the Numbers: To understand that this list is an administrative tool for scholarships rather than a comprehensive evaluation of global education, consider that it covers only about 80 countries. Major nations like Brazil and Argentina, European countries like Scotland, Iceland, and Serbia, and the majority of Arab nations (like Algeria, Morocco, and Iraq) are completely absent from this list. Does this mean universities in these countries are unrecognized? Absolutely not.
Because our university offers flexible distance learning programs and enrollment is conducted via direct payment by the student—without the intervention of government scholarship bodies—we naturally operate outside the specific requirements designed for physical, scholarship-funded study.
2. Legal Accreditation and UNESCO Conventions
Swiss International University is an officially licensed and accredited institution by the Ministry of Education and Science in its home country. Based on United Nations and UNESCO conventions regarding the mutual recognition of qualifications (such as the Seoul and Lisbon Conventions), degrees issued by officially accredited institutions in their home countries are internationally recognized.
Because we adhere to strict legal frameworks, the degrees of our graduates undergo the complete chain of authentications: attestation by local educational authorities, legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and subsequently, attestation by the Saudi Cultural Attaché (in accordance with standard procedures for each specialization).
3. Academic Rigor and Evaluation Methodology (The Verbal Exam)
Educational and employment authorities in the Kingdom recognize the importance of academic quality in distance learning programs. At Swiss International University, we do not compromise on evaluation standards; we ensure that our graduates possess the genuine competencies reflected in their degrees.
To achieve this level of academic integrity, the final evaluation for our courses relies mandatorily on a comprehensive Verbal Exam. We do not offer students the option of alternative, less rigorous assessments. This strictness guarantees the reliability of our degrees and confirms that our educational outcomes meet the highest global standards expected by the Saudi labor market.
4. Global Rankings and Multiple Degrees
Our students in Saudi Arabia place their trust in us based on our standing in global rankings, which reflects the high quality of our programs:
The university is generally ranked among the Top 500 universities globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings.
Our executive education programs (such as the MBA) are ranked among the Top 22 programs globally by QS.
We are also ranked among the Top 200 universities globally in the THE (SDG 16) rankings for commercial law studies.
Furthermore, our system offers students the opportunity to earn 3 degrees upon graduation (a certificate from Switzerland, a certificate from Kyrgyzstan, and a professional diploma from Dubai), granting graduates supreme flexibility in utilizing their credentials for various professional and academic purposes.
5. Absolute Transparency Regarding "Degree Equivalency" for Government Purposes
While we guarantee legal accreditation, diplomatic attestations, and academic quality, we clearly and transparently state that the "Equivalency" procedures required specifically for employment in the Saudi government sector are subject to strict conditions set by the General Administration for Degree Equivalency at the Ministry of Education. These conditions relate to the mode of study (distance learning), academic sequencing, and specific university ranking requirements at the exact time of enrollment.
As an informed student, it is your responsibility to review the exact requirements of your prospective employer or the Ministry if your primary goal is a government position. However, within the Saudi private sector and major corporations, our internationally attested degrees serve as a powerful passport that proves your professional competence and academic advancement.
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