The Nigerian capital Abuja witnessed the convening of the International Forum for Saudi Universities Graduates in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Surrounding Countries and their Impact on Sustainable Development. The forum is organized by the Ministry of Education in cooperation with several Saudi universities: King Khalid University, Tabuk University, and Najran University, with the participation of graduates from Nigeria, Chad, Mali, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The forum's activities were attended by Her Excellency Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of State for Education in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, several representatives of the Kingdom’s embassies and cultural attachés in African countries, in addition to a delegation from the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom, and a group of Saudi universities graduates. This comes within the framework of strengthening academic communication and documenting the impact of Saudi education in supporting sustainable development on the African continent.
In his opening speech at the forum, Prof. Saad bin Mohammed bin Dajam, Vice President for Educational Affairs at King Khalid University, emphasized that the Kingdom has made education one of the most important pillars of development. He pointed out that the educational scholarships offered by Saudi universities have contributed to preparing scientific and professional leaders who have left a prominent impact on the development of their societies.
Prof. Bin Dajam clarified that this cooperation embodies the active international presence of the Kingdom and its universities and highlights the values upon which Saudi educational institutions were founded: establishing moderation, spreading knowledge, and serving humanity. He added that the forum represents an extension of this approach that links knowledge with social responsibility and highlights the depth of the relationship between the Kingdom and African countries in the fields of education and development.
Prof. Bin Dajam noted that the support and attention given to the education system by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, may God protect them, has enabled Saudi universities to fulfill their global mission and communicate with their graduates around the world, especially in the African continent, which is rich in competencies and promising opportunities.
He concluded his remarks by affirming that this forum embodies the fruit of partnership and cooperation between the Ministry of Education, the Kingdom's embassies, and its universities in conveying the Kingdom's educational and developmental message. He expressed his pride in the honorable examples provided by the graduates of Saudi universities in serving their communities and strengthening the bridges of cooperation between the Kingdom and friendly African countries.
This forum is part of a series of international forums organized by the Ministry of Education to strengthen communication with Saudi universities graduates around the world and affirm the Kingdom’s scientific and humanitarian presence in its regional and international environment.