Joanna Newman, vice principal (international) at King’s College London, signs an education agreement with Ahmad Mohammed Salem Al-Aamri, vice rector for graduate studies and scientific research at King Saud University.

King Saud University (KSU) has signed an agreement with King’s College in London for Saudis to undertake postgraduate study and get support for their development as teaching assistants.

The memorandum of intent marks an important collaboration with Saudi Arabia and builds academic ties in the region, said Charlie Walker, director of the British Council in Saudi Arabia, recently.

“This agreement paves the way for more scholars from Saudi Arabia to complete their studies at King’s. It creates potential for future academic collaboration between the two institutions,” he said.

KSU, founded in 1957 by King Saud, now has 4,000 faculty members with Ph.D.s and an assistance training program. The students will be sponsored for one year at King’s by KSU. Areas of research interest and teaching focus include nanotechnology, medicine, nursing and science.

Mezyad Al-Terkawi, director of international cooperation at KSU, said: “We offer our sincere thanks to King’s College London for this opportunity and we look forward to mutually benefiting from each other’s strengths.”

Joanna Newman, vice principal (international) at King’s College London, signed the agreement with Ahmad Mohammed Salem Al-Aamri, vice rector for graduate studies and scientific research at KSU. Newman said: “I am very pleased to sign this memorandum of intent today with King Saud University, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading universities. We look forward to this agreement forming a strong foundation for increasing academic exchanges between our two institutions.”

King’s College London is one of the top 30 universities in the world according to the 2011/12 World University Rankings, and the fourth oldest in England. It has nearly 23,500 students, of whom more than 9,000 are graduate students from nearly 140 countries, and some 6,000 employees. It is in the second phase of a SR5.9 billion redevelopment program.

[wpResize]