Saudi-US entrepreneurship college set up

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)

WASHINGTON: Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the launch Friday of a college to develop Saudi business leaders and entrepreneurs, to be based at King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh.
The Prince Mohammad bin Salman College for Management and Entrepreneurship is a partnership between the economic city, Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation (MISK), Global Babson College and Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
The pact was signed in Washington on behalf of MISK by its general secretary Badr Al-Asakir; King Abdullah Economic City’s Managing Director and group CEO Fahad Al-Rasheed, who will also serve as the new college’s board deputy chairman; and Global Babson College’s Kerry Haley.
The college is one of the first initiatives of MISK and King Abdullah Economic City, aimed at developing the skills of young Saudis in business, and part of Vision 2030.
The goal is to ensure that there is greater support for small and medium businesses, create jobs for citizens, bridge the gap between higher education institutions and the labor market, and boost innovation.
The college would grant degrees in partnership with Global Babson College and Lockheed Martin, to prepare students for skilled positions in the public and private sectors.
Al-Rasheed said the college would play a leading role in creating world-class entrepreneurs and business leaders, while Haley said that the partnership was based on a shared vision in terms of education as a means to boost economic growth in the Kingdom.
Alan Shinoda, executive officer of Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia, said the company was committed to developing people that would play a major role in the country’s development. “We are proud to be part of this initiative,” he said.