Their Excellencies, the University Rector and Dr. Youssef Al Othaimeen Sign A Contract for the Chairs of the King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz Establishment for Developmental Housing Research
Their Excellencies the King Saud University Rector, Abdullah Ibn Abdurrahman Al Othman, and the Secretary General of the King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz Establishment for Developmental Housing, Dr. Youssef Ibn Ahmad Al Othaimeen signed today, Wednesday, a double-sided contract – at both the architectural and communal levels – for the Chair of the King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz Establishment for Developmental Housing Research.
Upon the occasion, His Excellency the University Rector expressed his deep gratitude for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – May Allah preserve him – for his generous move and profuse donation of the double-sided Chair (at both the architectural and the communal levels) of King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz Establishment for Developmental Housing Research. Dr. Al Othman said: “His Majesty’s actions are indeed instrumental to the realization of the prospective vision of the universities in the kingdom not just in terms of financial support but also in terms of the sustained follow-up efforts towards attaining strategic national goals.”
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the international experience regarding research Chairs and pointed out that their services go beyond the local and regional bounds to reach the world elsewhere in the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and this, thanks to the integrity of those distinguished businessmen from among its citizens. The university rector said that “the research Chairs shall contribute to enhance the plans and strategies of our government– May Allah preserve it – in this endeavor, insisting that the university’s new policy shall focus on scientific research and the opening up of new horizons for faculty members at the university to achieve– Allah willing – innovation and excellence at both the local and international levels.”
Dr. Al Othman said that this program is instrumental towards achieving the university’s prospective vision and that the university has to keep up with the on-going progress. He mentioned that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ initiative is considered to be the first of its kind and a great asset to the “Research Chairs” program recently launched by King Saud University. Dr. Al Othman insisted that such a show of interest and motivation clearly proves the determination to achieve scientific excellence in the kingdom whereby the latter can rise to secure for itself a respected position in the fields of industry and innovation among the industrialized nations. The university rector then added that such an objective shall be attained thanks to the sustained efforts by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz, and the Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Ibn Abdulaziz – May Allah preserve them.”
From his part, Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi, the University Vice-Rector for Branches Affairs and Sponsor of the Research Chairs Program commended the profuse donation by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – may Allah preserve him – in support of the Research Chairs Program at the university. He pointed out that the significance of such support does not only lie in its financial value but also and as importantly in its moral one, as it constitutes a great incentive for researchers at the university to conduct valuable composed research work. He said that the perseverance and encouragement we get from the government – may Allah preserve it – must make us feel the grandeur of the task to which we are so honorably entrusted. Dr. Al Ghamdi added that the university shall see to it that research projects under these two Chairs be implemented in the service of the aspirations and objectives of King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz’s Establishment for Developmental Housing (dedicated to his parents) and to realize the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – may Allah preserve him. The essence of such a vision is that scientific research must play an active role in dealing with national issues in all respects.
His Excellency, Dr. Ali Al Ghamdi then added that “the Chairs for scientific research are viewed as being instrumental to promoting scientific research in Saudi universities in terms of their potential for drawing high-profile professors in the field, researchers, and graduate students. Dr. Al Ghamdi noted that the launching of the Scientific Research Chairs Program is concurrent with the Ministry of Higher Education’s initiative to build excellence centers in Saudi universities and is considered rather complementary to such centers.