year strategy for the development of higher education was announced by Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari, Minister of Higher Education, at the launch of the second exhibition and conference on higher education in Riyadh Tuesday. In a speech to a number of academic figures from local and foreign universities, Al-Anqari praised the King's generous support for this international scientific event. He said ideas raised by renowned academics here will shape the future of the university education in the Kingdom and the entire world. He said a major objective of the symposium is to boost cooperation and strengthen partnerships between higher professional institutions in the Kingdom and the rest of the world. Al-Anqari said last year's exhibition had succeeded in attracting 250,000 visitors and a number of agreements were signed. This year's event would have more than 1,000 exhibitors from more than 300 universities in 50 countries. He said the higher education budget in the Kingdom has been increased threefold, representing 12 percent of government's total budget. He said the universities in the Kingdom are planning to have sustainable financing through endowments and investments, which have so far reached SR6 billion. Meanwhile, Prof. David Skorton, President of Cornell University in the United States, in a paper presented at the conference Monday, said there was international consensus that good university education for the youth will contribute to the country's growth and development. He stressed that the youth should be trained in advanced scientific skills to help solve a huge range of social and health problems. He said this kind of education is needed by both developing and advanced countries. Partnerships with American universities may accelerate this process, he added.
