A lavish ceremony hosted by the King Faisal Foundation initiated the partnership between King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center and Alfaisal University. This five-year partnership, signed by Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khaled (Executive Committee Chairman for Alfaisal University) and Dr. Qassim Bin Othman AlQassaby (Executive General Director of KFSHRC), covers training, research and educational studies. A number of officials from both sides were involved in the signing of the agreement.
The goals of this partnership are to develop educational, training and research programs for medical students and to move towards improving the Kingdom’s level of education, development and scientific research. The hospital will be a university hospital, aiding in the development of many of the academic programs it is already implementing.
KFSHRC, a specialized medical institute, has a capacity of 844 beds and employs a staff of 400 consultants. The Research Center employs 300 clinical scientists and researchers, many of whom hold medical fellowships. The Hospital’s main activities are based in five main sectors: Oncology, Genetics, Heart Disease, Environmental Health and Infectious Disease. Work in the Research Center emphasizes research and development related to human genetics, synthesis and medical use of radioisotopes, and clinical and biochemical research.
The Research Center has been awarded the Acknowledgment Award ISO 900:2000. In addition, the RC has earned two Distinctive Awards for its Gamma Rays and Secondary Dose Measurements Laboratory, both from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Alfaisal University is being established in keeping with Islamic culture and heritage, and consistent with the global trends in higher education. The University’s educational strategy is based on programs that are geared towards developing the capabilities, creativity, team-work and business competencies of its graduates. Alfaisal University will offer Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees in Engineering, Business Technology, Life Science and Medicine.
The vision of Alfaisal University is to be a model University. A major component of its innovative approach to education includes emphasis on scientific research. Much of the curriculum and facilities development for Alfaisal University is being carried out with the advice and assistance of prestigious western universities.
By the terms of the agreement between Alfaisal University and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, both institutions will collaborate with American universities to develop a medical college of the highest standing, in both scientific and academic terms.
Enrollment for the University Preparatory Program (UPP) will commence in Fall 2007.
