Saudi Arabia will invest $385 billion over the next five years in universities. Up to $240 million annually has been designated for grants in science and technology research projects. University capacity will be increased from an estimated 850,000 students in 2009 to 1.7 million students. Twenty-five technology colleges, 28 technical institutes and 50 industrial training institutes will be built. In addition, 10 research centers, 15 university technological innovation centers and eight university technology incubators will be established. Two Saudi Arabian universities, King Saud University and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, were listed this year in the Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Academic Ranking of World Universities. The plan was approved by the Saudi Council of Ministers August 10.

Source: University World News