JEDDAH: Plans are under way to establish a new five-million square meter campus for King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Asfan, north of Jeddah, Higher Education Minister Khaled Al-Anqari announced Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting KAU, he underscored the efforts of Saudi universities to improve their efficiency and upgrade their syllabuses and teaching methods in order to achieve world-class standards.
The minister noted the ability of Saudi universities to deal with social and environmental problems, providing scientific consultancy through experts.
Ali bin Suleiman Al-Attiyah, deputy minister of higher education, said the ministry had made allocations to construct housing units for KAU staff members in Rabigh. He said work on the project would start within a year.
He said the university academic programs in the Kingdom focus on specializations that are required by the Saudi job market.
He said Saudi university graduates were capable of competing with their counterparts elsewhere in the world.
In addition, the KAU University Council has decided to establish a research center for geological dangers. It also recommended the establishment of three scientific chairs: Prince Sultan Chair for Youth Research; Human Resources Chair; and a Saudi Aramco Chair.
The council accepted a donation of SR1 million by Abdullah Al-Mohaisen for the university’s activities.
Hussam Al-Anqari, dean of the College of Economics and Administration, disclosed the college’s plan to present 66 academic research projects that would serve society at both administrative and economic levels.
He said the college’s e-library contained a large number of important reference books and scientific magazines.
