RIYADH, 21 June — A contract to set up an Arab open university project has been signed by Prince Talal ibn Abdul Aziz, president of the Arab Gulf Program for United Nations Development Organizations, and Dr. Musaed ibn Rashid Al-Haroon, Kuwaiti minister of higher education. This multimedia university, the first of its kind to be established in the region, will be located in Kuwait.

“This university project will be a high-tech venture in which regional facilities, including new information technology and radio and television networks will be utilized in broadcasting educational programs for students from the Arab world,” said Prince Talal.

The prince is the moving spirit behind the idea to set up the open university project. This project, which will be of great help to the students from the Gulf states in pursuing different courses, was finalized following the recommendation of an expert committee constituted by Prince Talal. The committee studied various aspects of the project such as the feasibility of the plan, the technology to be used, administrative set-up, cost component and the curriculum.

The AGFUND chief said in a press statement that he had plans to bring several experts to the project to ensure a high academic standard. Moreover, this multimedia institution, seeking technical cooperation from various academic institutions of the world, will cater to the diverse needs of students in the region.

He said AGFUND was also closely working with major UN agencies like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Bank on several projects. The AGFUND and UNESCO signed an agreement last year to implement two educational projects, including one in Saudi Arabia at a cost of $2,377,000.

AGFUND had contributed $34,920,967 to support 211 education projects since its inception in 1980. Out of the 211 projects, 52 with a total contribution of $19,850,000 were funded and supported by the AGFUND. It so far has funded 580 projects, 353 of them by accredited UN organizations and other international agencies.

It has also extended financial assistance to 227 projects of non-governmental organizations in various countries.

This is in addition to 23 major relief operations supported by AGFUND in 125 countries worldwide.