King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, inaugurated a package of development projects worth SR14.039 billion at King Saud University (KSU) here Sunday. The projects included a university city for female students in Deraya worth SR7.5 billion to accommodate 30,000 students within three years, completion of the medical city at SR1.8 billion, teaching staff housing complex at SR2.1 billion, faculty buildings at men's campus at SR1.1 billion, the National Center for Diabetes Research at SR150 million, the administration building for SR150 million, phase one of KSU endowments for SR1.15 billion, and Riyadh Technology Valley including electronics education center at SR89 million. The Monarch placed his hand at an electronic screen to signal the laying of the foundation stone for the female student dorms, male student faculties building complex, housing of the teaching staff, phase one of university endowments, Riyadh Techno Valley, National Center for e-learning and Distance Education, National Hyperglycemia Center, and SABIC Center for Developing Plastics Applications. King Abdullah toured the exhibition of the projects and listened to a detailed presentation about each project by Dr. Abdullah Al-Othman, Director of King Saud University. The King also saw models of the projects, including that of the Nanotechnology Institute. A group of deaf patients who underwent cochlear implants at King Abdulaziz University Hospital who are now enjoying good health greeted the King. Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khalid Al-Anqari said such educational projects not only show the Monarch's belief in the importance of higher education but also prove his keenness for educational development and advancement. Dr. Al-Othman spoke of the KSU's endeavors to keep up with the King's development vision, saying: “This is a historic day for KSU. A day which witnesses the establishment of strategic projects that will serve citizens as well as educational, research process and society at large. “Beside the Riyadh Techno Valley, there is also the KSU Endowment Project which preaches a new concept of charity work.” Afterwards, King Abdullah honored Professor Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Manea, this year's laureate of King Faisal International Prize in Arabic Language and Literature. The Monarch also conferred honor on the strategic partners in Riyadh Techno Valley by giving them KSU gold medals. Donors to Phase One of KSU Towers project under KSU endowments with donations totaling SR550 million were also honored, so were the donors with endowment units totaling SR110 million. The King also honored a Saudi inventor and the first employee of the KSU who donated his monthly salary to the KSU's endowments. King Abdullah agreed on naming the main tower of King Saud University's endowments after him, of which he laid the foundation stone Sunday. __
