Students during Saturday's entrance examination for Taiba University in Madina. Talal Abdullah Maloush, the university's dean of admissions has said that the departments of Islamic Call, History and Geography have been closed as the university seeks to qualify students in subjects “compatible with the needs of the labor market.” The Arabic and English Language departments, however, remain open. Maloush said although the university is expected to admit this year 16,500 students, an increase of 5,000 on last year, many would still be rejected due to the increase in applicants reflecting the increase in local population.
