Saudia Cargo and Alfaisal University have agreed to work together on artificial intelligence and logistics. The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Riyadh, setting up a framework for cooperation centred on academic and scientific research in AI and the global logistics sector. The agreement is meant to bring the university world and aviation logistics closer together.
The signatories were Dr. Khaled Al-Kattan, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Dean of the College of Medicine at Alfaisal University, and Hashim H. Alsharif, Vice President of Strategy at Saudia Cargo, which is formally known as Saudi Airlines Cargo Company.
Al-Kattan said AI is reshaping how goods travel the world and that logistics is central to the Kingdom’s ambitions under Saudi Vision 2030. The partnership links Alfaisal’s AI work, from undergraduate and graduate programmes to research, with one of the region’s leading air cargo operators. Students and faculty will get to tackle real challenges in a sector of national importance.
Joint research, tailored curricula and internships
The two institutions will launch joint research programmes that place Alfaisal’s students, faculty and administrative staff inside real-world logistics operations and the rollout of emerging technologies.
Curriculum development is a core part of the deal. Aligning teaching with what the private sector needs should give graduates relevant, future-proof skills.
The agreement also covers short-term internships at Saudia Cargo’s headquarters, open to both male and female students. They will run through cooperative training programmes and the Tamheer on-the-job training initiative, provided candidates meet all eligibility requirements.
Workshops, conferences and development for Saudia Cargo staff
The partnership goes beyond student placements. Both sides plan specialised workshops and training programmes on applying AI in logistics, along with jointly hosted conferences, seminars, scientific lectures and other initiatives to modernise logistics services in the region.
Saudia Cargo will also look at development pathways for its own workforce, drawing on the university’s academic, training and professional development resources.
Al-Kattan described the arrangement as a “two-way exchange of knowledge”. Students will train alongside Saudia Cargo professionals, and the university’s programmes will open to the carrier’s employees. The shared goal is to develop national talent and support innovation and transformation in the logistics sector.
Alsharif said that combining academic expertise with smart solutions and AI plays a pivotal role in advancing the sector’s aspirations. Saudia Cargo is proud to work with Alfaisal on joint research and on curricula aligned with market needs, he added. The agreement also widens the scope for field training and professional development for students and staff. The ultimate aims are better air cargo efficiency and national talent that can drive the future of logistics in the Kingdom.
Alfaisal’s growing AI credentials
The agreement draws on Alfaisal’s expanding footprint in artificial intelligence. Its College of Engineering and Advanced Computing offers a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, which includes a compulsory summer internship in industry. The university also runs a Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence, covering machine learning, data science and complex AI systems.
Its Artificial Intelligence Centre leads on AI research and teaching and is building industry partnerships. Its AI Academy introduces pre-college students to the field through immersive summer programmes.
The MoU fits Alfaisal’s broader strategy of opening up opportunities for its academic community through private-sector alliances. The King Faisal Foundation established the university in 2002. Since then it has combined teaching, research and industry engagement in a student-centred environment, giving students practical experience that connects their education to the needs of the labour market.
A steering committee to track progress
A dedicated steering committee has been set up to oversee delivery. It includes HH Princess Aljohara bint Faisal bin Musaad Al Saud, Director of Alumni & Placement Relations at Alfaisal University, and Eng. Majdi Alrehaili, Executive Director of External Affairs at Saudia Cargo. The committee will monitor all activities carried out under the MoU.
