JEDDAH: Women’s empowerment through education was stressed at the 10th anniversary celebration of Effat University on Sunday night.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal was present as the chief guest on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The celebration, which continued through Monday, coincides with the launch of Effat University, which was hitherto a college.
Prince Mohammed Al-Faisal, speaking on behalf of the board of trustees of Effat University, said in his welcome address that the celebration had received the king’s support, as he was keen to know about the institution’s progress since its inception. The prince described the institution as the first private, nonprofit university for girls in Saudi Arabia.
The king has consistently supported the university, something that has enabled it to fulfill its mission and play an essential role in women’s education, he said, adding that the celebration was held to showcase the university’s progress as achieved over the last 10 years. “These achievements have made Effat University a role model for academic institutions across the Kingdom.” he added.
The leading position Effat University holds is strongly supported by King Abdullah’s vision for education, the prince said. He also thanked Crown Prince Sultan, Interior Minister Prince Naif and Minister of Higher Education Khaled Al-Anqari for their endless support for education.
The prince added that Effat University was the dream of his mother, Princess Effat Al-Thounyan, more than 50 years ago. This dream had started to become a reality when Dar Al-Hanan Schools were established in 1955. The reality of the dream continued by founding Effat College in 1999. “Princess Effat’s children carried on and worked to transfer the college into a university that is dedicated to educate women for tomorrow’s leadership roles,” the prince said.
“Effat University is committed to offering young women an interdisciplinary education aided by research and lifelong learning skills in an environment that respects our Islamic and Arabic identity,” Prince Mohammed said. “Despite our achievements, the path for us is still long and full of opportunities which should be explored and utilized. The first is fostering graduate studies and research that nourish the development process we witness in the Kingdom. I can say that we have already put the first brick in building graduate studies and research by launching the Research and Consultancy Institute. This institute hosts a number of scientific and research chairs, including the chair of Islamic finance. In this connection, I would like to congratulate our students who have been granted scholarships at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to join the pioneer researchers who will set a new era of evolution in the Kingdom,” the prince said.
He also announced the Princess Effat Al-Thounyan Prize that has been founded to expand the reach of her legacy and recognize women’s contributions and achievements.
Rector Jean-Louis Boursin of the Cours de Civilisation Francaise de la Sorbonne said, “We have been enthusiastic to respond to the proposal of Effat University (for collaboration). It is so near to the wishes of those who, more than a century ago, created our institution — University of Paris in 1899. Our partnership with Effat University is the first of a growing list. We have now partnerships with universities in Rome, Napoli, Bari and Moscow. But Effat remains dear to us.”
