Ministries of education, civil services and finance have been directed to tackle the problem of graduate unemployment on a priority basis. Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, issued directives at a speech in which he called for greater cooperation between public and private health sectors. The Ministry of Health is to employ 14,000 health diploma holders and 28,552 graduates in other health-related fields. Crown Prince Naif also directed other departments to absorb 4,000 graduates and the private sector to absorb a further 6,000. Each ministry should implement the plan within a timeline and a deadline. It will be held accountable in case of any failure, a source said. The directives are aimed at tackling unemployment amongst the increasingly large number of Saudi graduates. The Crown Prince also called for the setting up of women's sections at all government departments and creating job opportunities for women. The detailed plan also asked private companies to suggest short and long-term solutions to the unemployment problem. Ministry of Higher Education will give priority to students who want to enroll in the King Abdullah Scholarship Program. It will also seek to attract highly-qualified students to fill vacant positions at universities. Crown Prince Naif also directed all government departments and emirates to support the work of the Control and Investigation Board (CIB) and facilitate visits by its its inspection teams. __
