Speaking to reporters after inspecting construction work at the city, he said girls would start moving to the new campus in the beginning of the second semester. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah laid the foundation stone for the project in 2006.

Abalkhail commended King Abdullah’s support for education in general and higher education in particular. Within a span of five years, since Abdullah became king in August 2005, the number of universities in the Kingdom has risen from eight to 24.

The girls’ campus has six buildings covering administration offices, classrooms, a library and a conference hall. “The project will be completed by the middle of this year,” the president said, adding that it is surrounded by main roads.

Muhammad Al-Jaryan, technical supervisor, said the buildings at the campus are provided with advanced educational facilities. Parking areas have been allocated for each building. There is a special area at the library for research students. Students will find medical, banking, stationery, cafeteria and other services on the new campus, he added.

Meanwhile, the higher education minister on Tuesday signed a SR654.85 million contract with a national company to implement the third phase of the King Khaled University campus project in Abha.

The third phase covers buildings for the College of Applied Studies, Prince Sultan Center for Research and Environmental and Tourism Studies, the Center for Research and Social Studies, Computer Center, administration offices, a mosque, a museum and a festival hall.