Motivated by the higher education transformation strategy proposed in the vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia to supporting at least five Saudi institutions break into the top – 200 ranking list worldwide. A nationwide survey data obtained from faculty with good knowledge and experience on the subject of interest, was used to examine how these institutions have taken on this challenge. A theorized baseline model is specified that yields all other alternative models of interest as special cases. Generalized ordered Logit estimation is adopted for all models, and specification tests for model selection are based on AIC, BIC, RMSEA, and  Study reveals that global engagement through active partnership was a real obstacle to world-class university status and might further undermine the commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. In addition, the marginal effect of the estimated communication and external research funding were both statistically negatives, creating confusions among stakeholders and uncertainty about the future of research outcomes.

Keywords: Survey, Specification Tests, Strategy, World-Class Universities, SDGs.

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