Northern College inks international Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Mining Polytechnic

TIMMINS, ON:  Northern College is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Saudi Mining Polytechnic (SMP), a post-secondary institution based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This partnership will see both institutions share expertise for mining programming, training, and professional development, leveraging the unique skillsets fostered in distinct mining industries and rooted in the universal principles of mining.

The MOU was signed during the Future Minerals Forum 2026 in Riyadh, where thousands of delegates representing governments, investors and innovators gathered to discuss and shape the future of critical mineral extraction in support of a sustainable, tech-enabled future.

“We are incredibly excited by this new partnership,” stated Mitch Dumas, President and CEO of Northern College. “The principles of education are founded on the sharing of knowledge and perspective, in partnership and collaboration and this MOU with SMP is a wonderful example of those principles at work – education spanning culture and continents to the betterment of all learners.”

Founded in 2012, SMP was created to train and prepare Saudi youth to fill technical mining positions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a mandate to support the creation of a localized workforce to support the mining industry in the country.

“This partnership with Northern College marks an important step in strengthening Saudi Mining Polytechnic’s global engagement and advancing world-class mining education for Saudi youth. It supports workforce localization, knowledge transfer, and the development of highly skilled national talent in line with Saudi Vision 2030,” stated Abdullah Alotaibi, Managing Director at Saudi Mining Polytechnic. “This partnership with Northern College strengthens SMP’s mission to develop world-class Saudi mining talent and support the growth of the Kingdom’s mining sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”

“This MOU reflects our shared commitment to high-quality mining education and to building a skilled national workforce for the future of the industry,” added Alotaibi.

For its part, Northern will share curriculum, provide expertise in program creation and collaborate on research initiatives which benefit both institutions and the national mining economies they support.

“Northern is no stranger to the international mining industry,” stated Ahmed Baghdady, Executive Director of Global Engagement at Northern. “Our Haileybury School of Mines has an international reputation for highly skilled graduates who are difference makers in the field.”

“This reputation is the foundation of this agreement, and we are excited to carry this legacy forward with strong global partnerships which directly benefit students from around the globe,” added Baghdady.

The signing of this MOU represents part of Northern College’s comprehensive, integrated internationalization program which aims to diversify Northern College’ global engagements and foster strong relationships with institutions and partners around the world by taking Northern’s expertise in rigorous education and training to the world.

 

About Northern College of Applied Arts & Technology

Northern College, established in 1967, serves the educational needs of post-secondary, apprenticeship, and contract training, both on-site and through remote learning, as well as delivering academic upgrading and employment services. Its catchment area covers 160,000 square kilometres, which is roughly the size of France, and includes over 65 communities – 18 of which are First Nations. The College has four main campuses located in Haileybury, Kirkland Lake, Moosonee and Timmins, as well as numerous Access Centres, including along the James Bay coast. Northern is a highly respected community and regional partner with close to 50,000 graduates, including the Haileybury School of Mines (est. 1912), the College plays a critical role in the region’s economic development as well as strong global mining influence.

 

About Saudi Mining Polytechnic

The Saudi Mining Polytechnic is one of the institutes under the Saudi Center for International Strategic Partnerships in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was established in the city of Ar’ar, Northern Borders Province, in 2012 through a specific partnership between the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden). The institute aims to qualify Saudi youth talent through vocational diplomas and training programs to operate current and future mines and plants. Its goal is to localize technical jobs in the mining, cement, manufacturing, and supporting industries, contributing to national development and achieving Saudi Vision 2030.