Families Appeal to Cambridge to End Saudi Defence Ministry Training Deals

The families of two scholars currently facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia have appealed to the University of Cambridge to abandon proposals to conduct staff training courses for the defense ministry in Riyadh.

This appeal adds to existing internal opposition within the university regarding the potential partnership. The conflict centers on the kingdom’s documented record concerning academic freedom and human rights.

According to reporting from The Guardian, the university’s Judge business school has been authorized to offer specific training programs for staff members of the Saudi defense ministry. These authorized services include leadership development and innovation management.

The controversy surrounding these proposals was first highlighted in reporting published on May 11, 2026, which detailed the authorization of the training courses despite the internal concerns raised by members of the university community.