Cultural Diversity in Higher Education
Abstract
This study examines the attitudes of first-year students at King Saud University (KSU) toward cultural diversity, a critical aspect of Saudi Arabia’s educational transformation under Vision 2030. As Saudi universities increasingly embrace internationalization and multicultural education, understanding student perspectives on cultural diversity is essential for fostering inclusive academic environments. A descriptive survey method was employed to investigate the attitudes of 470 first-year KSU students, selected via random sampling. A validated and reliable questionnaire consisting of thirty items was used to measure student perceptions of diversity and inclusion on campus. While a majority of students expressed positive attitudes toward cultural diversity, significant variations were observed based on gender and academic track. However, no statistically significant differences were found based on pre-university education type. These findings have important implications for policymakers and educators seeking to promote inclusivity and cross-cultural understanding in Saudi higher education. The study contributes to the limited body of literature on cultural diversity in non-Western educational contexts and provides a foundation for future research on the evolving dynamics of diversity in Saudi universities.