Editor’s Note:
A UK delegation led by David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Sciences, recently traveled to Saudi Arabia for discussions with their counterparts including visits to King Saudi University and Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University.
In addition to Willetts the group included Professor Pamela Gillies, principal and vice chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University; Professor Eric Thomas, vice-chancellor of Bristol University and president of Universities UK; Dr Joanna Newman, director of UK Higher Education International Unit; Martin Dole, chief executive of the Association of Colleges; and Maddalaine Ansell of the Department of Business Innovation and Skills.
Today we are pleased to share details from the visit with you, as detailed by a King Saud University press release.
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David Willetts, UK Education Minister, Urges Educational Ties with KSU
UK Education Minister David Willetts and King Saud University Rector Dr. Abdullah Al-Othman (Center Right, Left)
Impressed by King Saud University in a recent visit, David Willetts, British Minister of State for Universities and Science, enthusiastically endorsed increased cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s largest academic institution and British universities.
The British minister, greeted by KSU Rector Abdullah Al-Othman and Vice Rector Ali Al-Ghamdi, lauded KSU’s unyielding developmental drive and the University’s impact on the Kingdom’s elevation to a major role in world politics.
The British leader’s positive impression of KSU and his suggestions of increased cooperation between British universities and KSU were warmly welcomed by his Saudi hosts in light of a speech the minister’s speech last July at a Westminster educational forum. Mr. Willetts urged students to study abroad to gain credits toward their degrees, emphasizing that there should be “greater mutual recognition” of qualifications between countries.
The message would seem to beg the question: why not closer educational ties between Great Britain and Saudi Arabia?
In the same forum, Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council, said the reality of globalization is that it has no borders. “Not only does this build cultural fluency and the ability to work in differing environments,” Davidson said, “but it also generates wide networks that form the basis of long-term partnerships.”
The British minister’s recent remarks were made receiving a tour from his Saudi hosts, a tour included a visit to the University’s documentary exhibit of development programs and a number of advanced strategic projects. During the tour, Rector Al-Othman briefed the delegation on KSU’s rapid advancement in international academic ratings since its founding in 1957 and the University’s unprecedented gains in internationalization.
Source: King Saud University
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Related Items:
- Building Educational Opportunity Partnerships – Gillies – SBRIS – Dec 16, 2011
- David Willetts – Minister for Universities and Science – Home Page
- David Willetts, UK Education Minister, Urges Educational Ties with KSU – KSU News Portal – Nov 14, 2011
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