The scholarship program of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has been extended for another three years, said Dr. Khaled Bin Muhammad Al-Anqari, Minister of Higher Education. The minister was responding to a question about rumors that the program will end this year. The minister said that businessmen and investors want to invest in the education sector by setting up colleges for engineering, medicine, medical sciences, computer and business management. However, all investors must meet the ministry's quality standards and the needs of the labor market, he added. There is currently good competition between government universities and private colleges, he said, adding that some recently-established private colleges had developed a good reputation abroad which had resulted in some foreign students enrolling for courses. Meanwhile, King Abdullah, who is also Chairman of the Council of Higher Education, has given the go-ahead for a number of education projects recommended by the Council in its 66th session. Dr. Al-Anqari said that the Council recommended the establishment of several faculties in various disciplines in universities, the restructuring of faculties and the establishment of a number of institutes, centers and deanships in universities. The Council also recommended the renewal of the contracts of vice presidents of several universities, Al-Anqari said. The Council approved a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic University in Madina and the University of Technology of Malaysia, and a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University and the University of Illinois, Carbondale, USA, the minister said. __
