Hundreds of students gathered outside the Science & Technology College in Jeddah demanding an explanation on why the college was shut down by the Ministry of Higher Education, Thursday night. — Okaz photoAmr Salam and Munira Al-Mishkhas Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH/RIYADH – About 500 students gathered at the Science & Technology College in Jeddah demanding clarification on a statement published on the college's official Facebook page saying it had been closed by the Ministry of Higher Education. Muhammad Al-Haizan, official spokesman of the Ministry of Higher Education, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the college had not completed licensing procedures before starting classes. “Until now, the Ministry of Higher Education has not given it permission to enroll students and start classes. Hence, the closure order," he said. Student Iyad Abu Qadadah said he heard from an official source at the college that the main reason behind the closure was a demand by the Ministry of Higher Education for the college to construct a new building at another location, something the Jeddah Mayoralty had rejected. “The number of male and female students in the college has reached nearly 1,440. These include freshmen and students who are still studying in their third year and are about to graduate. They were astonished by the decision, as they have only a few courses to complete before they graduate," said Khaled Al-Mahmood, a student who had gathered outside the college. “When I applied to the college, they reassured me that it is recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education. The tuition fees I paid were no small amount. This decision has dashed all my hopes and ambitions. Most of the specializations in the college are not available at any other college in the Kingdom." Several of the students have sent a petition to the Ministry of Higher Education, demanding the college remain open until they graduate. Meanwhile, Abdul Ilah Hizam, owner of the college, assured the students that the Ministry of Higher Education would intervene to resolve their problems. He said he had met with the supervisor of private education at the ministry and got assurances that the ministry would grant all Saudi students scholarships to complete their education in other colleges. Hizam said the college started functioning three years ago with a provisional license and he was surprised by the ministry's stop order after all these years. He said a ministry panel had visited the college to assess its performance and met with the students. “The ministry asked us to secure a 40,000 sq. meter plot for the college and said the college would be listed on its website when 20 percent of the buildings are completed. Accordingly, we have purchased the land six months ago, but the mayoralty has not granted us permission to start construction," Hizam said.
