Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman has honored students who have excelled in their final examinations during a graduation ceremony for the ninth graduating class of Taiba University in Madinah on Monday.

The prince also honored students who won advanced positions in the fourth Scientific Conference in Makkah last month.

Speaking on the occasion, the president of the university, Adnan Al-Mazrou, said the university was sending students from the class of 2011 for employment.

“Education is the engine for growth and development. That is why Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, stresses that man is the foundation of growth and the real capital with which nations' ambitious visions are fulfilled,” Al-Mazrou said.

He added that that was why the king and crown prince offered support to build and expand universities.

Students also presented an opera called ‘Knowledge Mine’ on the occasion.

Salem Al-Howaity, who spoke on behalf of students, thanked the governor and the authorities and urged students to continue their academic pursuits.

In another development, the prince witnessed a live open-heart surgery during a visit to the Cardiac Diseases and Surgery Center in Madinah yesterday. The prince also inspected the inpatient and pediatric wards.