Columbia University representatives visited Alfaisal University on Wednesday 6 October 2010 to discuss areas of mutual interest. Attendees from Columbia University were Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora the Dean of Columbia University Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science, Dr. Safwan Masri, the Vice Dean and Director of the MBA Program of the Graduate School of Business, Dr. Ryan Carmichael the Associate Director of Advancement at Columbia University, and Dr. Ibrahim Odeh, Special Advisor to the Dean of Fu Foundation School of Eng and Applied Science. Attendees from Alfaisal University were Dr. Ronald Bulbulian the Acting Provost and Vice Provost for Academic Programs, Dr. Ala AlBakri the Vice Provost for Accreditation & Quality Assurance, Dr. Mattheus Goosen the Associate Vice President for Research, Dr. Robert Earl Naumann a Professor in the College of Business and Ms. Nourah Al-Sadoun from the Office of Research. The possibility of joint programs was discussed.
Columbia has several agreements with other international institutes such as in Italy, Taiwan and Singapore which Alfaisal University may want to emulate. Mutual interest was also shown in establishment of Joint Research Centers. The meeting concluded with a tour of the University and the Palace of the Late King Faisal.