
Useful Links |
| King Faisal Foundation |
| About Riyadh |
| Site Map |
|
|
![]()
News and Events
Academic Calendar
News Release
News Archive
University Gallery

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.