RIYADH, May 16, 2007 — His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alfaisal University, announced the Research and Academic Programs of the newly-established world-class Alfaisal University in a unique event at the King Faisal Foundation today. The elite event was attended by members from the royal family, members of Shoura Council, Deputy Ministers, a host of top Saudi businessmen, a number of academicians as well as media persons. Addressing a crowded press conference here today, HRH Prince Khalid said that “Alfaisal University will be a renowned academic and research-oriented institution, the first of its kind in the Arab world, with its operational base in the Saudi capital city.” The University, he said, will be located at the palace of late King Faisal in Riyadh.
HRH Prince Khalid said: “Alfaisal University will have four colleges, namely College of Medicine, College of Science, College of Engineering and College of Business..” The University, in addition to its unique buildings, will have many other facilities on its campus like administrative offices for staff, teachers and academics. The University will also provide advanced research facilities, which will be among the top facilities in this region.
HRH Prince Khalid said that “Al-Faisal University will be a modern example of an international-class Arab university.” The University will boast of affiliations with internationally-renowned universities and academic institutions across the globe. Alfaisal University’s affiliations with other local and international academic institutions will help it to learn from diverse experiences and improve its educational standards on a par with the best academic institutions of the world.
He said that the applied course materials taught at Alfaisal University will enable it to render great contributions to the private sector of the Kingdom and eventually help the Saudi nation to prosper and grow. HRH Prince Khalid, said “The University will utilize the potential of its research facilities to serve the mainstream Saudi society and to establish regular contacts and interaction with excellent local and international centers of learning.”
He explained that the University has specific conditions for admission of students. HRH Prince Khalid said “All students seeking admission to Alfaisal University will be required to undergo a preparatory year.” He added that the University Preparatory Program (UPP) is a unique educational program that provides high school graduates with rigorous academic preparation that meets or exceeds entry requirements to top universities locally and abroad.
HRH Prince Khalid said “Moreover, there will be exceptions made for distinguished and extraordinary students who pass UPP examination.” All students who intend to enroll in the University will also be required to pass TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) examination. He pointed out that the method of instruction in all of the University’s faculties will be English, whereas Islamic studies will be taught in the Arabic language.
Referring to the basis for setting up this academic institution, HRH Prince Khalid said that “Alfaisal University is a non-profit private educational institution.” The University’s mandate is to cooperate with leading academic institutions and centers of advanced learning in other developed countries. Alfaisal University seeks to impart quality education to Saudi and non-Saudi students, while offering tailor-made training and research programs.
The University will run different courses and award Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees, initially in the fields of Medicine, Engineering, Business Technology and Life Sciences. The University has already embarked on a major program of cooperation with a number of foreign institutions in its fields of specialization.
1. Medicine: An agreement has been reached with Harvard Medical International (HMI). They will provide consultations, review course materials and work together on curricular development as well as academic programs. The Medical College has established an affiliation with the Riyadh-based King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) and Security Forces Hospital (SFH).
2. Engineering: The College will offer several disciplines including Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Mineral Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Civil and Architectural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Operations Research, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering. Course materials have been crafted with advice from consultants who are senior faculty from Cambridge University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The University has also signed agreements of cooperation with King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and with individual faculty from MIT to utilize their facilities and advanced technology for research purposes in different fields.
