KAUST: King’s gift to the world

Author: 
Shafquat Ali | Arab News
Publication Date: 
Thu, 2009-09-24 03:00

THUWAL, Jeddah: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah was a picture of contentment as he unveiled King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to the world at a glittering inauguration ceremony in Thuwal on Wednesday evening. The ceremony, which took place in a high-tech auditorium, marked the fruition of a dream that was living in his heart for 25 years.

Beaming with pride, he warmly received dignitaries including heads of state, global business leaders, Nobel laureates and some of the world’s most celebrated academics; he waved cheerily as he walked through the inaugural exhibit area with his guests and proceeded to the auditorium; and he smiled with pride as he sat through a glorious presentation titled “Journey of Knowledge” that showcased how Thuwal was transformed from a sleepy fishing town to the home of a world-renowned university, and applauded as a disparate group of boys and girls representing 50 countries, who have sent their students to KAUST, trooped down the stage, waving their native flags.

The king heard with rapt attention speeches delivered by Ali Al-Naimi, minister of petroleum and mineral resources and chairman of the KAUST Board of Trustees, Khaled Al-Anqari, minister of higher education, and Professor Choon Fong Shih, KAUST president.

In his succinct keynote address, King Abdullah said the 21st century SR10 billion university promises to usher in another age of Arab scientific inquiry. He said he was happy that his dream has been realized and thanked Saudi Aramco and its team for playing a stellar role in making it all happen in record time.

The king went on to declare that the institution will not just be a new “House of Wisdom.” It will be a “beacon of tolerance” in a world attacked by extremists, the king said, spelling out his larger vision.

“Humanity has been the target of vicious attacks from extremists, who speak the language of hatred,” King Abdullah said. “Undoubtedly, scientific centers that embrace all peoples are the first line of defense against extremists. And today, this university will become a ‘House of Wisdom’ ... a beacon of tolerance.” A speech that drew thunderous applause.

The king went on to recall the Islamic civilization’s enormous role in serving humanity. “After God, the great Islamic scholars have contributed to many areas of scholarship, such as the role played by Ibn Al-Nafees in medicine, the impact Jabir ibn Hayyan had on chemistry, and Al-Khawarizmi’s pivotal role in algebra. Similarly, the study of sociology benefited immensely from the genius of Ibn Khaldun,” he said.

The king added that KAUST did not emerge from nowhere. “It is a continuation of what distinguished our civilization in its Golden Age. This is, first of all, what the university stands for. Throughout history, power has attached itself, after God, to science. And the Islamic nation knows too well that it will not be powerful unless it depends on, after God, science. For science and faith cannot compete except in unhealthy souls. And God has graced us with our minds, which we use to understand and recognize God’s laws of nature. For He, the Almighty, said, ‘Of his faithful, God is feared by scientists.’”

After delivering his speech, King Abdullah formally inaugurated KAUST by pressing his hand on a touchscreen as a group of students from King Abdul Aziz and His Companions Foundation for the Gifted looked on. A dazzling display of fireworks that lit up the Thuwal skies followed. Amid much bonhomie and a festive spirit, the nearly 3,000 guests went on to celebrate the historic event late into the night.

World leaders who attended the inauguration were: King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, King Abdallah of Jordan, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, the emir of Kuwait, King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin of Malaysia, President Zillur Rahman of Bangladesh, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, President Mohamed Ould Abdul Aziz of Mauritania, President Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines, President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed of Somalia, President Omar Bashir of Sudan, President Abdullah Gul of Turkey, President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen, and President Bashar Assad of Syria. Lebanon, Britain, the US, Oman, the UAE, Pakistan, Algeria, Russia, India and France sent their high-level representatives.

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