RIYADH, 20 May 2007 — Speaking at a silver jubilee event commemorating the establishment of the Technical College of the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training (GOTEVOT), Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman encouraged the Saudi youth to expand their horizons and to continue to learn after graduating by gaining real life experiences.

The event also saw the graduation of dozens of students from the Technical College.

In his speech, Prince Salman encouraged graduates to be honorable examples at work where employers and businessmen could depend on them.

“I call upon the youth to consider this graduation ceremony a new beginning. ... You should not rely on your certificate. You should not rely on what you have learned at these colleges and technical institutions. ... You should continue to enlighten yourselves in all aspects,” he said, stressing the importance of reading and gaining further knowledge and experience.

Prince Salman stressed the importance of technical education for future generations.

“I hope the day comes that all sons of this country work in these fields,” he said, adding that the graduation of dozens of youngsters from the Technical College was “a reminder” to the private sector of its responsibility to employ qualified Saudi youths.

“From this occasion I call on businessmen and heads of business to respond and open more doors for these youths. ... I want to remind them of their patriotic duty,” he said, adding that the fact that the Kingdom had built technical colleges all over the Kingdom was a sign of power to the Saudi economy.

He also said it reflected the Kingdom’s careful strategic growth plan that stemmed from the personal care of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

Governor of GOTEVOT Ali Al-Ghafees said that the development of human resources in the Kingdom, especially the training aspect, would have a huge impact on the overall growth of the economy. He noted that the 250 projects that have been established across the Kingdom at a total value of SR9 billion would provide a unique training environment that would have a positive impact on graduates after its implementation within five years.

Prince Salman honored dozens of college graduates in the graduation ceremony. Bandar Al-Ghatbar, a graduate from the Chemistry Department, said he was happy to be honored by the prince.

“The reality today in Saudi Arabia obliges youth to change their direction and turn toward technical education,” he told Arab News, adding that it was the duty of every youth to master various skills for the sake of his family and country.

Ghatbar said his training had helped him prepare for jobs at chemical plants.