JEDDAH, 16 September 2007 — The Saudi-Japanese Automobile High Institute (SJAHI) has introduced an unusual timing for Ramadan this year after consulting its students. The duty timing is from 6 a.m. to 12 noon.

The institute offered three options to its more than 400 students; the options were offered in a questionnaire.

“More than 85 percent of our students wanted studies to start after Fajr (dawn) prayer as they believe that it’s good for their studies in comparison to the timings of other Saudi educational institutions,” said Salim ibn Hassan Al-Asmari, executive director of the institute.

In most academic institutions in the Kingdom studies begin at 9.30 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m.

SJAHI students opted for the new timing as most young men and women in the Kingdom sleep late at night during Ramadan and then when they go to school at 9 or 9.30 a.m. most of them are sleepy. Naturally this affects their studies.

“We have introduced the new Ramadan timing on an experimental basis and the result will be known at the end of the month. If found fruitful it could be applied to all educational institutions in the Kingdom after approval from higher authorities,” said Asmari.

“This new Ramadan timing is being tried for the first time in the Kingdom and was done after consulting students. It will encourage the educational authorities to select the best timings for students during Ramadan,” he said.

SJAHI was established on the basis of a memorandum of understanding signed by Saudi Arabia and Japan to train young Saudis in the maintenance of Japanese vehicles and promote the transfer of technology.

“We offer a number of incentives to our students. They receive a higher diploma in automobile technology after training under the supervision of Japanese experts. They are also given a monthly stipend of SR1,200 in addition to medical insurance and a 50 percent discount on Saudia flights,” he explained.

They can also enjoy sports facilities for football, volleyball, basketball and the institute’s swimming pool.

“Our graduates are guaranteed jobs as automobile technicians and are given contracts to work in the city they are from. They will also receive attractive salaries with other benefits such as rent and transport allowances.”

The institute has recruited well-qualified teachers from different parts of the world to teach English, mathematics, computer science and applied sciences in addition to automobile technology. SJAHI’s syllabus was prepared by a group of Japanese automobile manufacturers in order to train Saudis.

“At the end of the second semester, students are sent to the maintenance centers of automobile companies to receive on-the-job training for four weeks. At the end of the second year, they are given on the job training for eight weeks,” he said.

“We also give our students an opportunity to study in Japan. These students can join the institute as assistant trainers,” he added.