The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Premier and Chairman of Higher Education Council, has ordered to establish three new universities in Hafr Al-Baten, Bishah, and Jeddah. The Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Anqari said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Higher Education Council requested in its 72nd session the King's approval for the establishment of the three universities, noting that the King has approved the request as follows: 1- Transformation of the two Branches of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and the University of Dammam in Hafr Al-Baten and neighboring governorates into an independent university called " University of Hafr Al-Baten". 2- Transformation of the Branch of King Khalid University in Bisha Governorate and neighboring governorates into an independent university called " University of Bishah". 3- Transformation of the Branch of King Abdulaziz University in north Jeddah into an independent university called the "University of Jeddah". The Minister expressed his thanks and appreciation to the King for this historical approval embodying the leadership's interest in the march of education, noting that the number of Saudi governmental universities increases to 28.
