RIYADH, 17 March 2004 — A team from the German Academic Exchange (DAAD) will visit the Kingdom on March 28-April 1. The team will encourage Saudis to study at one of Germany’s 359 universities, according to Suzanne Wolf-Khan, second secretary for press and culture at the German Embassy.
The embassy is drawing up an itinerary for the team which will include a meeting with Ministry of Higher Education officials and lectures at different local universities.
“In the 1980s, there were many Saudis studying at German universities, but over the years their numbers have fallen. The team will hold talks with young Saudi people to encourage them to once again study in German universities,” she said.
Wolf-Khan said former Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi received his medical degree from a German university.
The German team will include Dr. Christian Huelshoerster and Professor Wolfgang Spyra of the University of Cottbus, who will lecture at King Saud University on studying engineering in Germany.
Saudis who study in a German university for the first time will enjoy free tuition. Scholarships are offered to graduate students studying for master’s or doctorate degrees. “Everything will be free for them,” she said.
She said that to prepare Saudi students for their stay in Germany, German language courses are offered by the embassy twice a week. Students may also continue studying the language once they are in Germany.
Wolf-Khan added the embassy holds an annual reunion for Saudis and others who studied in Germany.
