RIYADH, 25 September 2006 — The King Abdullah Institute for Research and Consultancy Studies (KAIRCS) has unveiled plans to convert the institute into a holding company to spearhead research and development in the Kingdom.

The news was announced by Dr. Mohammad Saeed Al-Ghamdi, the dean of the institute, in an exclusive interview with “The Diplomat,” which is published by the Saudi Specialized Publishing Co. on behalf of the Institute for Diplomatic Studies at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh.

Al-Ghamdi said, the partnership between the government and private sectors has given it an added value. “Our consultations for last year, for example, had brought in SR20 million, and this year it has already exceeded SR50 million. We are currently thinking of turning the King Abdullah Institute into a holding company to bring all companies under one roof,” he said.

He said the institute, which is affiliated to the King Saud University, represents a shining example of partnership between the public and the private sectors in terms of economic studies.

“The institute also aims to strengthen relationship between the private and government sectors, and to enter in a partnership for research and development (R&D) with those organizations that believe in developing their capabilities through investment in research and development.”

Al-Ghamdi said KSU hopes to make a meaningful contribution to Saudi society through consultancy research and studies, providing scientific and technical services, and sending out experts in different fields.

He pointed out that the expansion was not only with regard to buildings but also in terms of qualified personnel. “There is also an ambitious program of the custodian of the two holy mosques for providing scholarships for higher studies abroad. The number of students last year was 3,500; however, this year it has reached 8,000. Thus, the program takes into account both the growth of cadres and facilities in the interest of promoting balanced development of the society.”

Al-Ghamdi said that the plan would also tackle other major issues of higher education, foremost of all being the education of females. A group of highly qualified ladies led by Dr. Nourah Al-Udwan is drawing up a plan to tackle these issues, he observed.

In reply to a question, Al-Ghamdi said the Ministry of Higher Education has a technical committees that screens all applications, including those from the private sector, for the grant of loans. Once they satisfy the stringent regulatory measures, they are eligible to set up private schools, for which loans up to SR50 million could be disbursed. It even helps students by paying part of the fees.

Al-Ghamdi said the Institute was undertaking all kinds of translation works, including written, oral, and instant interpretation at meetings and in different languages, including Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Farsi, Turkish, and Hebrew.

The institute also designs and develops training courses, syllabi, and standard tests in the field of language and translation. It can as well evaluate applicants for jobs; provide expert advice related to contracts and international agreements to solve disputes, besides holding programs for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers inside the Kingdom and abroad. One of the prominent features in this regard is the production of audiotapes for teaching Arabic to non-Arabs.

Referring to its involvement in media events, he said the institute carries out studies and draws up plans in the marketing field. It is also involved in feasibility studies in the field of media and marketing; it assists in media campaigns, public relations, television and radio transmission, besides organizing conferences and exhibitions.