Riyadh Governor Prince Salman is briefed on Al-Yamamah College project. (SPA)

JEDDAH, 29 September 2005 — Riyadh Governor Prince Salman yesterday underscored the government’s efforts to promote higher education by establishing new universities and encouraging the private sector to open more institutions of higher learning. Prince Salman made this comment at the opening Al-Yamamah College and the first international exhibition on higher education in Riyadh. He noted the efforts being made by universities and colleges to train thousands of young Saudis.

Al-Yamamah College, which offers academic programs in business administration and information systems, was established at a cost of SR150 million, according to Khaled Al-Khudair, chairman of the board of trustees.

“We received a loan of SR32 million from the government,” he said. “The government’s move to expand higher education has given opportunities to the private sector to establish colleges in order to train both Saudis and expatriates in all subjects required by modern economies,” Prince Salman said.

He expressed his satisfaction at the opening of a number of private colleges and universities in various parts of the country. According to Dr. Mohamed Al-Saleh, secretary-general of the Higher Education Council, the Higher Education Ministry has given preliminary licenses to some 60 investors for the establishment of private colleges in various parts of the country.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has allocated SR12.5 billion from this year’s budget surplus for educational and training projects; this includes SR4 billion for the construction of new college and university buildings. There are now 12 government universities and an additional three are under construction in Jizan, Hail and Al-Jouf.

In his opening address, Prince Salman stressed the importance of the exhibition, saying that it would help exchange information and expertise between participating universities and improve higher education programs in Saudi universities. He later watched a presentation about the college.

Ahmed Al-Eissa, president of Al-Yamamah, said courses began last year after four years of intense preparations, with about 400 students. He said the college could accommodate up to 2,500 students in its business administration program. The college campus is designed to provide a state-of-the-art instruction facility and the best educational environment.

“Al-Yamamah focuses on quality, integrity, fairness and progressive yet practical education,” Al-Eissa said. It also offers an American-style education and curriculum in English. “We give the utmost importance to training and have opened a center for administrative development with a separate facility for women,” the president told delegates attending the opening. The center offers training in administration, English language and computers.

Al-Yamamah College seeks to attract the most talented students who demonstrate the likelihood of success in their chosen programs of study. Students seeking admission must submit a graduation certificate from a Saudi secondary school or a recognized secondary school from outside the Kingdom recording at least 70 percent marks.