Three Colleges amongst Top 100 Worldwide: KSU Rector
Three colleges of King Saud University (KSU) would be amongst the top 100 colleges worldwide within 15 years, promised Professor Dr. Abdullah Al-Uthman, Rector of KSU, in an open meeting with the students.
Al-Uthman explained that he tried to get the rank of the university uplift after garnering one of the lowest ranks amongst universities worldwide. Yet, KSU managed to jump to the 230th rank thanks to the new prospective vision it adopted.
Tackling the kingdom support to the KSU, Al-Uthman said the university took 1.5% of the kingdom budget, noting that it spent more than 650 million riyal during the past eight months, exceeding the budget it had spent throughout the past twenty years.
On the strategic planning the KSU adopts, Al-Uthman said, “The KSU or the members of staff are not excused to carry out the strategy and development programs that target achieving world-class pioneering to the university.” He added, “The kingdom is in an economic breakthrough, the plans of which are based upon transforming the national economy into a knowledge-based economy.” “The university seeks on keeping up with the international shifts and building up knowledge-based partnerships with notable universities,” He noted.
On future projects the KSU is targeting to execute, Al-Uthman revealed that some projects were under way. “Business pioneers project gives, in short, no certificates to students after graduation; rather they run small-scale companies financed by companies. The students shall receive 30%, whereas the financiers shall receive 70%. After five years of real, ardent work the students shall get 70%.”
On the future job opportunities, Al-Uthman said, “Wadi Ar-Riyadh project will provide 5000 part-time job opportunities and will urge the students to exert their utmost.”
Praising the presence of the female members, personnel and students, Al-Uthamn said they have been one of the most marvellous strengths of the university that takes pride in.
During the meeting Al-Uthman, honored Ewadah Al-Rabey, 19, a student in the preliminary year for his innovation. His innovation garnered a patent from King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology (KACST). It is an all-purpose mobile set for securing possessions against stealth and helping the blind.
On new colleges, Al-Uthman stated 2700 million riyals were earmarked to build a new university city for girls. “New colleges will be open for students in business administration, physical training and community colleges,” he added. “90 millions will be earmarked for universal renovation works of the student centre for girls,” he noted.
Answering a question by a female student on the University City for girls, Al-Uthman said, “KSU wants the girl hostels be a real house that is controlled with balanced disciplines of rights and duties. The management of the hostels does not prevent a student from attending a conference or a training course, yet, it cannot leave the hostels go without restrictions or disciplines.”
On the stumbling of the preliminary year, H.E. the rector said, “I do bear the mistakes. I am optimized that the program will succeed in the coming years. We cannot start robustly as of the first step.” “The goal of the preliminary year is building skills up”, he added, noting, “The rate of failure is going down.”
