The United Nations SDG 1 targets the eradication of all forms of poverty. Aligning itself with UN goals for SDG 1, as part of its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has also introduced numerous programmes, notably the cash transfer programme, which is a national social protection scheme that targets the poorest segment of its society. In addition to laws and policies that guarantee living wages for its teaming population, the different components of the Saudi Vision 2030 programme are designed to create additional jobs for the local populations and enhance their economic prosperity.

PSAU is at the vanguard of ensuring that its students are aware of these objectives via the different activities it organises within and outside its campuses. Moreover, by providing its students with monthly stipends and other forms of financial assistance, the University is guaranteeing that such students attend school unhindered while also relieving their parents and guardians of the burden of expenses related to tuition, books, and living allowances.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the unplanned transition to online learning it brought exposed many students from poor backgrounds to additional difficulties since they needed computing devices, internet access, etc. for their studies. Through its financial assistance programme, the University assisted such students to ease their transition to those unprecedented times.

Furthermore, the University organises regular events aimed at different audiences within the university and surrounding communities (students, women, farmers, etc.) to introduce them to latest entrepreneurial and business skills.

In terms of research, the university has funded and engaged in different collaborations with local, regional, and global institutions which have produced many outcomes that are impacting on policy related to this important SDG both locally and internationally.

A few of the local, regional, and international MOUs entered into by the university related to this and other SDGs is presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Agreements and partnerships with local and international health authorities and institutions…..