The College - originally named College of Agriculture - was incepted in 1385H (1965G) as the first agricultural school in the Arabian Peninsula. Over the next several decades, it advanced progressively into one of the largest and most productive institutions of King Saud University.  A star of that University, the College of Food and Agricultural Sciences now stands at the forefront of the University's renaissance process. The initial stage of that formidable process, inspired and rigorously led by the President of the University, has been to fabricate an ambitious mental image of the University and to build partnerships with elements of the local community, as well as renowned universities, research institutions, scholars and intellectuals worldwide. The second stage followed at a fast pace. Beginning this academic year (1429/1430H), an elaborate program for the development of academic departments has been launched, on the premise that the department is the cornerstone and the most fundamental unit of the academic system. The program rests on benchmarks for comparison with similar departments at leading international universities and for national and international academic accreditation – goals that will enhance the stature of the university's graduates, promote its research environment and pave the way for implementing latest advances in teaching technologies, smart auditoria etc.

           Allow me to take this opportunity to describe in broad terms the ongoing developments in the College and how it is benefiting from the University's support to realize its vision of distinction and fulfill its message: training students to the highest standard, nurturing research and innovation, serving the community and disseminating knowledge that helps improve agricultural production, food processing and human nutrition while conserving the environment and reclaiming the nation's natural resources. These endeavors require mobilization of our entire resources to accomplish a new perception and set up a strategy for developing the college based on understanding the present status of agricultural education in the world and a clear vision of the future of the college and its departments. They also entail expansion of the college to accommodate new units, research centers, centers of excellence, research chairs and professional societies (viz. the Saudi Society for Agricultural Sciences and the Saudi Society for Food and Nutrition), and last but not least modernizing this electronic gate which ranked as number one in the University.niversity.

         The college's newly perceived image constitutes a road map to distinction and creativity. It focuses on the college's commitment to shouldering national responsibilities relating to food and water security and serving, faithfully and impartially, as advisors to the state on agricultural, nutritional and water management policies, nutritional constraints and the balance between actual demands for agricultural produce, water requirements and their impact on water security. The applied nature of the college makes it more of a service institution than one primarily involved in teaching, and qualifies it to be a member of the economics of knowledge system that contributes more than 50% of the global economy. The construction of this perception nationally and internationally is of paramount importance. portance.

         Partnerships with individuals and institutions of the community shall be invited through widely publicized multimedia programs that define the role of the college and illustrate its services, as well as by establishing links with, and participating in activities of, relevant public and private sectors. The college will further enhance these partnerships by exchanging visits and hosting prominent personalities such as senior ministerial officials and CEO's and general managers of private establishments. Through these partnerships, the college hopes to attract research chairs in the fields of environmental studies, food technology, nutrition and health etc. Currently, the college embraces the Shaikh Muhammad bin Hussain Al-Amoodi Chair of hydrology. ydrology.

        The college also seeks to establish partnerships with leading international universities and research centers. Agreements with these institutions could have a significant impact on the quality of teaching and research in the college, and will enhance exchange of knowledge, establishment of specialized centers, initiation of collaborative research and joint scientific publications. The "Twinning Program" between the college's academic departments and corresponding departments in prestigious international universities is a practical expression of the "Distinguished Scholar Project" and the "Joint Post-graduate Degree Programs." Furthermore, it will facilitate the acceptance of college instructors and lecturers for higher studies, as well as the training of technical staffs, in these renowned universities.

       The college also encourages its faculty to take advantage of the newly launched "Distinguished Research and Publications Prizes" and the "Scholar Fellowship Program" to enhance their research capabilities and publications in prestigious international journals, which in turn reflects on the University's reputation and academic ranking. Through such contributions, the college aspires to add more centers of excellence to its currently existing Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research.

       The Ministry of Higher Education is presently fostering a four-phased program for the development of academic departments in Saudi universities. These phases comprise the development of educational programs, research environment, administrative capabilities and community services. Although the program is set to begin with the first phase, the college is working on all four phases simultaneously since accreditation and assessment of academic development are closely inter-related. The development of curricula to the required accreditation standard, the commencement of the "Preparatory Year" and the introduction of new units and centers are the hallmarks of the ongoing development process within our academic departments. Development programs at the college level, on the other hand, focus on short and long-term enhancement of administrative resources, adoption of cooperative education projects, strategic and informational plans, the future of agricultural education and academic departments.           

       By virtue of its applied nature, the college (and its departments) is a service-provider to the community. Examples of the many services it renders are: agricultural extension education, organization of workshops, conferences, symposia and training courses, advisory services to the public sector, the private sector and philanthropic institutions, and contribution to practical scientific solutions of problems arising in different fields of agriculture and nutrition. In order to consolidate its scientific referential status in the community, and in keeping with national and global developments and changes, the college's future plans include establishing a center for community services and obtaining accreditation and licensing for its laboratories. These developments will make the college more competitive in offering its services and participating in major national research enterprises.  

Dear visitor,

      While living a mammoth development process, the college invites your remarks and suggestions. This is particularly apt since all of us – individuals, public sectors and private institutions – are stakeholders in this endeavor, which serves our country and its citizens. I hope that you visit our site frequently and find it useful and enjoyable.

May Almighty Allah guide us in the path of benevolence and righteousness.                    

College of  Food and Agricultural Sciences