The United States' Consul General Thomas Duffy recently led an American delegation, including three representatives from his economic, public affairs, and regional security staff, on a visit to the Yanbu Industrial College. The delegation met with Dr. Ahmed M. Dabroom, the Managing Director of the college, and visited the laboratories of the departments of chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics and instrumentation and electrical power. The visit was to strengthen US collaboration with Yanbu's civic, economic and education sectors. He also met with local officials, regional business leaders, entrepreneurs and officials from cultural and education institutions. Duffy attended a presentation by Dabroom explaining the background and history of the college and the profile of its faculty members and students. Yanbu Industrial College, an affiliate of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, was established in 1989 to develop human resources and train Saudi manpower with highly technical skills to manage the Kingdom's growing economy. Located at the center of Yanbu Industrial City, the Yanbu Industrial College is about 350 kilometers north of Jeddah on the Red Sea. It is noted for its beautiful buildings and vast green surroundings. The college's commitment is to provide Saudi nationals with the technical, scientific and academic skills required by the country's industrial and other economic sectors. To meet this responsibility the college is equipped with modern instructional media such as computers, audio visual aids, specialized laboratories and advanced technical workshops. The college provides two-year specialization programs leading to an Associate Degree. Yanbu Industrial College also provides specialized on-the-job-training for Saudi employees and adult education programs to serve the local community. The delegation also visited the Yanbu Royal Commission; Mr. Ibrahim Al-Sultan, the Yanbu Governor; the Yanbu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, King Fahad Industrial Port; and the SAMREF refinery. Duffy was impressed by the diversity of economic, education, and natural resource investment in the Yanbu area. He said he hoped to grow the US-Saudi partnership.
