One example of this is the recent agreement signed by the university and the Institut Francais du Petrol (IFP) to work jointly on transportation energies and materials, as well as joint efforts to find innovative solutions for more efficient, more economical, cleaner and sustainable energy sources and materials. KAUST will offer graduate courses on specific research. The university’s objective is to benefit from established research centers to gain technical expertise in the fields of research, development and training.
Reforming the educational system and raising the standard of our schools and universities remain the biggest challenges Saudi Arabia faces today.
Significant government efforts and private initiatives support the national objective of achieving academic excellence and improving Saudi universities, which fared poorly in recent rankings. Educational programs and well-endowed funds have been allocated for research projects at universities and teachers training centers to improve education. This year, we have seen several advances that provide great hope for a better educational system that will equip students with the necessary skills needed to power nation’s development.
One novel project is King Faisal University’s Preparatory Program (UPP), designed to stimulate critical thinking, change attitudes about learning and prepare students for success in their university studies. Program faculty comes from the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and South Africa. It is a Western educational program tailored to fit Saudi student needs.