Senior officials of King Saud University have commended the active support extended by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to all the education projects launched in the Kingdom. They have also lauded the King's acceptance of the honorary doctorate awarded to him by the University Council. Dr. Abdulaziz Bin Salem Al-Ruwais, Deputy Director of King Saud University, said allocations for the development of education and technology were at their highest level in this year's budget. Moreover, the Kingdom has witnessed a quantitative and qualitative improvement in its universities. The number of universities has increased from 8 to 22 in a short time, he said. “Regarding the qualitative improvement, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has ordered the allocation of large amounts of the budget surplus for higher education, technical education and public education, as well as for national research in the areas of technology for the prosperity of the Kingdom,” Dr. Al-Ruwais said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA). “To enable Saudi youth to benefit from the opportunities of higher education, the King has launched the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Project and approved the establishment of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology,” he said. Dr. Al-Ruwais said King Saud University like all other Saudi universities has the material and moral support of the government of King Abdullah. “The honorary doctorate was awarded by King Saud University to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in recognition of his efforts, guidance and unlimited support,” he said. Dr. Mansour Bin Suleiman Al-Saeed, KSU's Deputy Director for Higher Studies and Scientific Research, said that the University was honored by the acceptance of the honorary doctorate by the King. Dr. Ali Bin Saeed Al-Ghamdi, the University's Deputy Rector for the exchange of knowledge and transfer of technology, expressed his thanks and gratitude to King Abdullah for accepting the honorary doctorate awarded by the university. He added that the evolutionary initiatives launched by the University in its present stage have been due to the moral and material support provided by the Saudi leadership. Dr. Hatem Bin Abdulrahman Abu Al-Samh, the University's Deputy Rector for development and quality, said King Abdullah's creative accomplishments at Islamic, Arab and international levels have made him a unique personality deserving the greatest appreciation and esteem. He said it was an honor for King Saud University to honor the King. Dr. Mohammad Bin Atiyyah Al-Harthi, Advisor and General Supervisor of the office of the Rector of King Saud University, considered the King's acceptance of the honorary doctorate as a medal of honor and pride for the University. The King has paid great attention to higher education, he noted. Dr. Musaed Al-Misained, General Supervisor of the general department of works and support services said the King believes in the necessity of science and its importance in the progress and development of the country. __
