King Faisal University (KFU), one of the leading academic institutions in Saudi Arabia, has celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of events and activities that highlight its achievements and contributions to the society. The university, which was founded in 1975 by King Faisal bin Abdulaziz, has grown to become a hub of research, innovation, and development in various fields and disciplines.
The main event of the celebration was held under the theme “Fifty Years of Growth and Giving” in the presence of royalty, excellencies, senior officials, university and media professionals, and members of the local community. The event showcased the history, vision, and mission of the university, as well as its academic programs, research projects, and community services. The event also honored the founders, leaders, faculty, staff, and alumni of the university for their dedication and excellence.
The university’s president, Dr. Mohammed Al-Sheikh, delivered a speech in which he expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continuous support and guidance to the university. He also praised the role of the Ministry of Education and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission in enhancing the quality and standards of higher education in the Kingdom.
Dr. Al-Sheikh highlighted the achievements and milestones of the university in the past 50 years, such as:
- Establishing 17 colleges, 4 deanships, and 11 research centers that offer more than 100 academic programs at various levels and disciplines.
- Obtaining national and international accreditation for many of its programs and colleges, such as the College of Medicine, the College of Engineering, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Computer Science and Information Technology.
- Ranking among the top 500 universities in the world and the top 10 universities in the Arab region, according to several reputable ranking agencies, such as QS, THE, and URAP.
- Producing more than 70,000 graduates who have contributed to the development and prosperity of the Kingdom and the region in various sectors and fields.
- Conducting more than 1,500 research projects and publishing more than 10,000 scientific papers in prestigious journals and conferences, as well as obtaining more than 100 patents and awards for innovation and excellence.
- Engaging in more than 300 partnerships and collaborations with local and international institutions, such as Aramco, SABIC, KAUST, MIT, Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge.
- Providing more than 500 community service programs and initiatives that benefit the society and the environment, such as health awareness campaigns, cultural and sports activities, volunteer work, and social responsibility projects.
A vision for the future
The celebration also marked the launch of the university’s new strategic plan for the next decade, which aims to achieve the following goals:
- To become a leading university in the region and the world in terms of quality, excellence, and innovation in education, research, and community service.
- To align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020, as well as the global sustainable development goals, by addressing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
- To foster a culture of creativity, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning among its students, faculty, and staff, as well as the society at large.
- To enhance its international presence and reputation by expanding its global network and cooperation, as well as attracting and retaining distinguished talent from around the world.
- To optimize its resources and capabilities by adopting best practices and standards in governance, management, and administration.
A center for nature-based solutions
One of the highlights of the celebration was the inauguration of the Nature Based Solutions Center (NBSC), which is a joint initiative between the university and Aramco, the world’s leading energy company. The center, which is located at the university’s campus in Hofuf, is the first of its kind in the region and the world, and aims to develop and implement innovative solutions that use natural processes and systems to address environmental and social challenges, such as climate change, water scarcity, food security, and biodiversity loss.
The center, which is supported by a grant of 50 million Saudi riyals from Aramco, will conduct cutting-edge research and development in various fields, such as:
- Green infrastructure and urban planning, such as green roofs, walls, and streets, as well as smart and sustainable cities.
- Renewable energy and carbon capture, such as solar, wind, and bioenergy, as well as carbon sequestration and storage.
- Water management and conservation, such as rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and wastewater treatment and reuse.
- Agriculture and food production, such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and vertical farming, as well as organic and sustainable farming.
- Ecosystem restoration and conservation, such as afforestation, reforestation, and agroforestry, as well as wetland, mangrove, and coral reef restoration.
The center will also provide training and education programs for students, researchers, professionals, and policymakers, as well as outreach and awareness campaigns for the public, to promote the concept and benefits of nature-based solutions. The center will also collaborate with local and international partners, such as universities, research institutes, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector entities, to exchange knowledge and expertise, and to scale up and replicate the best practices and models of nature-based solutions.
The center’s director, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Suwailem, said that the center is a testament to the university’s commitment and contribution to the environmental and social well-being of the Kingdom and the world. He also thanked Aramco for its generous support and partnership, and expressed his hope that the center will become a global leader and pioneer in the field of nature-based solutions.
