The Eastern Province is all decked up to welcome King Abdullah, Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, for the 75th anniversary celebrations of the world's largest oil company Saudi Aramco and the consultative summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders. Posters announcing the visit of the King can be seen all over the twin cities of Dammam and Al-Khobar. Preparations have been stepped up throughout the region. King Abdullah will spend a week in the Eastern Province. According to the media relation office of Saudi Aramco, the King is scheduled to inaugurate the oil company's anniversary celebrations at its headquarters in Dhahran Tuesday, marking an occasion to remember the historic deal signed by the founder of the Kingdom late King Abdul Aziz with the American company Socal to start oil exploration. President and CEO of Saudi Aramco Abdallah S. Jumah said that the company's success over the past 75 years is truly a cause for celebration. The theme of the celebrations will be “Energy for Generations,” and will focus on the human side of the company, as well as its commitment to the Kingdom and global prosperity. The GCC summit, coinciding with Saudi Aramco celebrations, will see leaders focus on the region's hot issues especially the developments in Palestine, the faltering peace process, the US efforts to resume talks between Palestinians and Israelis, the situation in Lebanon, and the Iranian nuclear issue. The issue of Gulf common market and the accomplishment of the member states since the GCC summit held in Qatar will also be on the agenda. The King's itinerary will include the laying of the foundation stone for a university hospital and the new campus of King Faisal University in Dammam. Today, Saudi Arabia's nationwide public educational system comprises 20 universities, more than 24,000 schools, and a large number of colleges and other educational and training institutions. The system provides students with free education, books and health services and is open to every Saudi. Over 25 percent of the annual state budget is for education including vocational training. The Kingdom has also worked on scholarship programs to send students overseas. __
