Speech of Dr. Fatima Jamjoom at the 3rd International Conference on World-Class
Universities (WCU-3) held in Shanghai, China.

The Ministry of Higher Education represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the 3rd International Conference on World-Class Universities (WCU-3) which was held in Shanghai, China from November 2 to 4, 2009. The presence of the Ministry of Higher Education was represented by the Office of Deputy Minister for Educational Affairs and the Studies and Research Centre of the Ministry. The attendants from the Studies and Research Centre were Dr. Abdul-Halim bin Abdul-Aziz –Mazi, the Director of the Centre and Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Abu Emmah, Dr. Mohammed bin Muajab Al Hamid and Dr. Fatima Bint Bakr Jamjoom the advisers at the Centre. This is in addition to Dr. Einas bint Suleiman Al-Issa and Dr. Abeer bint Humaidi Al Harbi, both are team leaders of a research project supported by the Centre.

The delegation included professors from Saudi universities: King Saud University, Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, King Abdul Aziz University and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. The presence of the Ministry of Higher Education and the Saudi universities in the conference was strong. This reflects the keenness of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and its interest in important scientific activities and events, a matter which shows the extent of awareness and maturity among decision-makers in the Kingdom about the importance of developing higher education to cope with the global developments, and about providing the necessary support to make Saudi universities reach the ranks of world's leading universities.

We had the honour to attend the announcement of the academic ranking of world universities as per the classification of the University of Shanghai for 2009, in which it was announced that the King Saud University entered this world ranking for the first time, a matter which shows the distinguished world- class level reached by KSU.

In the closing speech of the Conference, the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at University of Shanghai, the Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee and Chairman of the Centre for World-Class Universities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University commended the entry of King Saud University in this world university ranking, noting that the KSU entry indicates the powerful scientific movement going on inside the university which raised it to this world ranking. He also praised the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education in the Kingdom, a matter which indicated the interest of the Ministry of Higher Education in the practices that can be taken to upgrade the level of universities in the Kingdom. He said that it might be appropriate in future conferences that there would be representatives from the ministries of higher education to get acquainted in a practical way with what is going on in the countries of the world about the distinguished universities and the requirements they need to discharge their pioneering research role.

On this occasion, we have the honour to present to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and his Crown Prince sincere congratulations on the occasion of the entry of King Saud University in the world-class university rankings for 2009, and we are pleased to congratulate His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khaled Al Anqari for this great achievement which has been achieved after the help of Almighty God thanks to his directives and tireless efforts. We also congratulate His Excellency the Rector of King Saud University Professor Abdullah Al-Othman, who has made King Saud University a hard work cell and increased the level of awareness of the university employees on the importance of raising the level of the University's performance in order to achieve the aspirations of the leaders of this generous country who provide the university with all requirements it need to be within this distinguished world class ranking, and to be at the forefront of this ranking in the near future.

In my name, and on behalf of all my colleagues at King Saud University, I pray to God Almighty to grant success to the leaders of this country and to enable us to serve this kind and generous country, and to serve our beloved university to remain always in the lead, as an indication for the development of the country and its progress and advancement."

This was stated by Dr. Fatima bint Bakr Jamjoom, the lecturer at the Department of Mathematics, King Saud University and a full-time adviser at the Research and Studies Centre of the Ministry of Higher Education.