Anqari, Minister of Higher Education, signing the new contracts worth SR1 billion in Riyadh, Sunday. — SPA RIYADH – Dr. Khaled Bin Muhammad Al-Anqari, Minister of Higher Education, signed Sunday contracts worth SR1 billion to build new buildings at universities across the Kingdom. Ironically, the contracts were signed a day after Prince Saud Bin Abdulmohsen, Emir of Hail region, was quoted by newspapers as criticizing the quality of education offered in Kingdom's universities. Education in the Kingdom, the Emir said, does not match the huge sums of money the government spends. Despite the generous spending by the state domestic education was stuck in “traditional modes” resulting in “boredom” for the students, the Emir said. The contracts signed Sunday include constructing administration and support buildings at Al-Majmah University and Ashaqra University; and completing the second phase of the faculty of applied medical sciences in Jizan. A new business administration faculty building will be constructed at Salman Bin Abdul Aziz University in Al-Kharj. There will also be further buildings built for faculty members at Northern Frontier University and Tabuk University. There will also be further construction at the Community College and Ashaqra University for support facilities. “These contracts reflect the ministry's dedication to develop the infrastructure of universities in different cities and governorates inside the Kingdom. These universities will provide a unique and excellent academic environment that will produce highly-qualified citizens who can participate in the overall process of development,” Al-Anqari added. He thanked King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, for their efforts and generous support of the higher education sector. At the beginning of this year, the minister signed contracts to construct university hospitals and academic facilities worth over SR3 billion.
