JEDDAH, 19 October 2004 — Ways of strengthening the partnership between Saudi universities and the private sector to promote research and development projects will be the main theme of a major conference to be held at King Saud University in Riyadh in May next year, according to Dr. Ali Saeed Al-Ghamdi, head of the department for scientific research at KSU.
“The conference aims at highlighting the significance of partnership between universities and the private sector to ensure the Kingdom’s continuous progress and steering university research and development programs and other capabilities to meet the country’s development priorities and improve its economic performance,” Ghamdi said.
The conference, which is expected to be opened by Crown Prince Abdullah, will focus on three pivotal topics. The first will discuss ways of promoting partnership between universities and the private sector in light of international and local experiences and personal initiatives of staff. The second topic will deal with aspects of partnership, especially in the areas of training and research, consultancy, acquiring modern technology and establishing research chairs and development centers.
The third topic will focus on partnership priorities emphasizing research prospects in vital areas such as energy, oil, modern technology, water, environment, continuous education, productivity improvement, competitiveness, medical and health areas, foreign partnership, and the role of Saudi Arabian Authority for Foreign Investment and the Supreme Economic Council.
The proceedings will be both in Arabic and English, Ghamdi said, adding that prominent international speakers will address it. Delegates from Saudi universities, the private sector and government organizations and researchers will also attend. An exhibition will be held as part of the conference.
New College at KAAU
A new college for applied medical sciences has been established at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. Classes at the college started this academic year (2004-05). The college has departments for medical laboratory technology, nursing, naturopathic treatment and X-ray technology, according to Dr. Ghazi Damanhoury, its principal.
He described the medical laboratory technology department as one of the important departments at the college. As many as 240 male students and 188 female students have enrolled at the department, he said, adding that they are being trained on using advanced medical and clinical equipment. The department has 15 teaching staff in addition to assistant lecturers and a number of foreign technicians.
