French President Francois Hollande has awarded the rector of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) Abdul Aziz Al-Ghamdi with a Chevalier class medal in recognition of the university’s efforts to upgrade its relations with security and academic institutions in France.

On behalf of the president, French Ambassador to the Kingdom Bertrand Besancenot decorated Al-Ghamdi with the award in Riyadh on Thursday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Besancenot commended the NAUSS’ efforts for maintaining close relations with a number of security and cultural institutions in France including the University of Sorbonne.

A number of diplomats accredited in the Kingdom attended the event, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

Al-Ghamdi expressed his pleasure in awarding the honor and said it further reinforced the strength of the relations of the university with educational, security and justice institutions in France in areas of scientific research and training.

The NAUSS has undertaken nearly 50 projects in collaboration with various French institutions in which more than 1,400 Arab specialists took part. The NAUSS also used to host high-ranking French officials who visited its campus in Riyadh, including France's ministers of interior and justice as well as Parliamentarians and heads of universities.

NAUSS specializes in advanced security-related studies at postgraduate level and awards diplomas and master’s and doctorate degrees. The university also organizes training courses and exhibitions related to security studies. The medium of study is Arabic and students come from all over the Arab world. Students are also accepted from other countries with the permission of the university’s executive committee.

NAUSS is the only academic institution directly serving the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. Programs at NAUSS are offered in accordance with the directions and advice of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers and the Arab League.

The university aims to serve all Arab countries to provide specialized academic programs and training to their security forces in the field of fighting and preventing crime in all its forms. NAUSS also cooperates with international security institutions and experts and exchanges knowledge and experience.

NAUSS maintains strong relationship with many educational and security-related institutions regionally and internationally including the United Nations. The university also holds security conferences, seminars and exhibitions with the aim of spreading awareness about security and developing the skills and knowledge of those working in its field.