After several years of declining numbers, applications from Saudi Arabia increased this year by 10 percent to 640 applicants JEDDAH: Saudi Education Minister Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammad Al-Issa on Sunday received British Ambassador Simon Collis at his office in Riyadh on Sunday. They exchanged views on education in both the public and private sectors and the programs offered in both countries. The number of foreign students applying to British universities has hit an all-time high, with some of the biggest increases coming from the Arab world, according to figures released by UCAS, the body that processes applications to UK universities. After several years of declining numbers, applications from Saudi Arabia increased this year by 10 percent to 640 applicants. The number of international students wanting to continue their education in Britain has surpassed 100,000 for the first time in 2018, a rise of more than 8 percent from last year. Applications from the UAE numbered 430 in 2009, 1,550 in 2017 and 1,800 this year, up 16 percent in a year. The upward trend is repeated in almost every Arab country, from Morocco to the Gulf states. Applications from Jordan are up 16 percent from 2017, and up 7 percent each from Oman and Kuwait. Applications from Lebanon and Morocco have surged by 25 percent each.