International Students’ Views on Development, Equity, and Access in Saudi Scholarships under SDG 4

This study evaluates how Saudi Arabia’s international scholarship programs align with Sustainable Development Goal 4, focusing on international students’ perspectives. It examines how students view the scholarships’ contributions to personal growth and to the development of their home countries. A mixed-methods design combined qualitative data from 60 semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and digital ethnographic observations with quantitative data from official government sources on regional allocation. Findings show that students gained valuable knowledge and skills, but their views of “development” varied by socioeconomic background. Some envisioned returning home to teach, research, or address national challenges, while others saw remittances as indirect contributions. Regionally, scholarships strongly target Asia and Africa, consistent with SDG 4’s equity goals, but scholarships for Latin America and the Pacific remain limited. Although students described opportunities as broadly inclusive, structural challenges persist. Expanding outreach, including medical fields, and establishing alumni pathways are recommended to enhance impact.