President Abdullah Gul, President of the Republic of Turkey, paid a visit today to King Saud University (KSU). President Gul was received by Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Ankari, KSU Director Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al Othman, university undersecretaries, deans, and faculty members Dr. Al Ankari welcomed President Gul and the accompanying delegation. Dr. Al Ankari hailed the visit as important and historic. Minister of Higher Education highlighted the attention given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to higher education institutions and the development of creative research in such institutions as well as his sponsorship of a scholarship program on which students are sent to renowned universities across the world. Dr. Ankari also stressed the Kingdom's keenness of expanding higher education in the Kingdom so that it can be available for interested students in all regions, emphasizing the Kingdom's determination to create a high quality and advanced high education. Dr. Ankari also pointed out the cooperation between the two countries at the academic level. Then, President Gul delivered a speech in which he described KSU as famous and well-known. In his speech, President Gul said, “We are fully aware of the efforts being made by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the attention given to higher education as well as the allocation of large budgets for the development and modernization of education. This is a crucial investment and investing in education is an investment for the future". He also added that, "If we want a bright future for our country then we must invest in education. We look with admiration for what the Kingdom is doing in this area". President Gul added that, "We, in Turkey, are also concerned with higher education and the development of technology. We don't want to be only carriers of technology but also to develop it". President Gul commended the cooperation between Saudi and Turkish universities. KSU director Dr. Al Othman welcomed President Gul, saying, "This is a historic day for us here at KSU. We are honored to have you here". Then, agreements between KSU and a number of Turkish research centers and universities were signed. The agreements' signing was attended by Minister of Higher Education, Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Ahmed Zaynal, KSU Director Dr. Abdullah Al Othman and a number of officials.
