JEDDAH, 21 November 2002 — A leading Saudi businessman has announced plans to provide scholarships to outstanding Saudi girl students as part of his support for Dar Al-Hekma College.

Speaking to Arab News after paying a visit to the college here yesterday, Mohammed Isa Al-Jaber, chairman of Ajwa Group, called on Saudi businessmen to support the institution to help realize its mission.

"We’ll support the college by providing scholarships to distinguished students, who are unable to pay tuition fees," he said, adding that the scholarships will be granted in accordance with the college’s regulations.

Jaber expressed hope that Dar Al-Hekma will become one of the region’s prime institutions of higher learning within the next few years. "It will play an important role in promoting education among Saudi girls," he added.

Zuhair Hamid Fayez, chairman of the college’s board of trustees, disclosed the college’s efforts to complete its infrastructure projects to accommodate 1,500 students annually. "We are conducting a study on market requirements of new courses to be offered by the college," he said. Dar Al-Hekma’s first batch of 16 students will pass out this year.

Fayez said the college had provided admission to a large number of girl students, who had to leave the United States in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.

He expected more students to join the college in the coming years as it offers a congenial academic atmosphere along with advanced educational facilities.

Earlier, in a presentation, Dr. Nida Abdussalam Jambi, principal of the college, said about 120,000 Saudi girls from a total of 300,000 secondary school graduates go for higher education every year.

Dr. Jambi said Dar Al-Hekma provides academic programs that match with those of reputable universities in the US, Britain and other developed countries.

"We are now planning to start new programs in public administration, financial management and marketing," she said. The college also offers English language preparatory courses to its students.

Jambi disclosed plans to expand the college’s scholarship program with the support of businessmen.