JEDDAH: The Prince Fahd bin Salman Charitable Society for the Care of Kidney Patients yesterday announced the allocation of 5,500 university places in the coming academic year for kidney patients, donors and their families.
The society signed an MOU with six Saudi universities at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) yesterday.
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, supervisor of the charitable society, signed the MOU with the heads and senior representatives of KAU, Umm Al-Qura, Taiba, Al-Baha, Northern Border and Taif universities.
“Without exception, all universities in the Kingdom have agreed to participate in the program,” Prince Abdul Aziz said.
He added that the beneficiaries of the program needed to be empowered rather than being given one-time financial aid. Empowerment will improve their overall situations.
An academic committee will be set up to supervise the program, Prince Abdul Aziz explained. “The committee will ensure that the scholarships are rewarded to deserving people,” he added.
According to a survey conducted by the society, there are 9,356 patients in the Kingdom suffering from kidney failure.
The society is currently working with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology to get more accurate statistics.
“The program will benefit citizens in all parts of the Kingdom,” he said.
The prince praised members of Saudi society for their “merciful hearts” and said that the society’s doors were always open to people willing to do volunteer work. Heads of the universities expressed their desire to contribute to the improvement of citizens’ lives by providing the educational resources and creating public awareness.
Based on the MOU, the society will send eligible candidates wishing to continue their education to universities. The universities will also support a strategic awareness campaign aimed at achieving the society’s health, social and educational targets. At the same time, the society will support scientific research related to kidney failure.
KAU President Osama Tayyib said the university would allocate 400 places annually to the program and that half would be for men and half for women. He affirmed that the university was ready to accommodate students with special needs.
