Expenditure on the ongoing mega development project at the University of Tabuk has crossed SR3 million. The project, which includes a medical college, applied medical sciences college, housing complex for the teaching staff, faculty of science, administration premises, a mosque and an educational hospital, is one of the fruits of King Abdullah's efforts to develop higher education, said Abdul Aziz Bin Saud Al-Enezi, President of the University of Tabuk. Al-Enezi said the Ministry of Higher Education pursues these projects under the direct supervision of the Minister of Higher Education. Although applied sciences are no less important, the priority is for engineering and scientific specializations because of the shortage of human resources that the Kingdom faces in these fields, he said. Al-Enezi said the cost of the projects currently under construction is SR3 billion, while the total cost of building the university city is SR10 billion. The Ministry of Higher Education Fund also puts money in other investment projects such as that of an ongoing SR250 million hotel, he added. He said the Council of Higher Education has approved the setting up of a Shariah law college, business school, dentistry college and a pharmaceutical college. He pointed out that a marine college for Al-Wajh town has been approved as well. Al-Enezi said that when the educational hospital is open, the number of students at the medical college will increase significantly. The university has signed memorandums of understanding and cooperation with several prestigious universities and professional institutes in different parts of the world.
