The Importance of Education in Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia has prioritized education since its founding, viewing it as crucial for national progress. Educational institutions and opportunities have significantly expanded, serving the entire spectrum of society. The kingdom has invested heavily in school construction, from elementary to college levels.

Expansion of Primary Education:
In the 1930s, King Abdulaziz recognized the need to expand primary education for modernization. Elementary schools were established at a rapid pace, creating an extensive school system by 1950.

Establishment of Educational Institutions:
The Ministry of Education was founded in 1952, overseen by Prince Fahd, who later became king. Schools in tents accompanied Bedouin tribes during their migrations, ensuring access to education. The first university, King Saud University, was established in Riyadh in 1957.

Development of Private Universities:
The first private university, King Abdullah University, was founded in 1967 but later converted to a public institution due to financial challenges. Private higher education was reestablished in 1998 as part of the government’s development plan.

Rapid Growth of Higher Education:
The number of universities in the kingdom increased rapidly after the establishment of the Ministry of Higher Education in 1975. Currently, there are around 70 private and public colleges and universities, with plans for expansion and new institutions. Private organizations have been encouraged to enter the educational market, leading to increased access and opportunities for students.

Linking Education with Employment:
The government has actively linked the private sector with educational institutions to offer internships and enhance graduates’ employability.

Education for Women:
Education for women was introduced in 1961, and the first government school for girls was built in 1963. By the end of the 1990s, girls’ schools were established throughout the kingdom. Today, female students comprise over half of the more than six million students enrolled in Saudi schools and universities.

Investment in Education:
Saudi Arabia has significantly increased its budget for education, doubling it since 2005. Allocations for education and training programs in 2013 amounted to around 25% of the total budget.

Saudi Arabia’s Focus on Quality Education:
Saudi Arabia recognizes the significance of quality education in fostering development and has highlighted it as a primary concern in its recent development plan. The Ministry of Higher Education emphasizes technical engineering science, computer science, and medical programs to meet the demands of the knowledge society. The 2014 budget aims to enhance scientific and practical skills among Saudis to prepare them for the transition.

King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST):
King Abdullah has invested $12.5 billion to establish KAUST, a graduate research university with the world’s second-largest endowment after Harvard University. KAUST is located north of Jeddah and serves as the crown jewel of the Saudi king’s coeducation agenda. The student population is predominantly non-Saudi, and the university is led by a French scientist. The Board of Trustees comprises distinguished academics and civic leaders from around the world. KAUST signifies the kingdom’s commitment to opening its intellectual horizons to the global community.

King Abdullah’s Support for Education:
King Abdullah’s belief in education as pivotal to the nation’s progress has led to a fourfold increase in Saudi universities. This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for education among the youth population who aspire to study in their home country.

Curriculum Reform and Tatweer Program:
Following the 9-11 terrorist attacks, Saudi Arabia embarked on a comprehensive curriculum reform to address extremist ideologies. The review process identified texts that failed to fully convey Islam’s message of peace, leading to the improvement of student textbooks. The Tatweer program, meaning “improvement” in Arabic, is a 2.4 billion public education development project. Tatweer aims to dramatically transform the country’s education system and produce graduates equipped to face social challenges. The program focuses on improving the quality of educators through retraining and testing to meet higher standards.

Vocational and Technical Training:
Saudi Arabia recognizes the need for a technologically advanced society and has established the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation to develop skilled workers. The corporation is responsible for creating training programs, establishing vocational schools, and providing certification for skilled workers.

Educational Reforms and Policies:
Saudi Arabia aims to establish over 100 colleges specializing in technical and vocational training within the next decade, accessible to both men and women. The kingdom emphasizes international cooperation and expertise through its King Abdullah Scholarship Program, providing scholarships for Saudi students to study abroad.

King Abdullah Scholarship Program:
The program has been operational since 2005 and has been extended until 2020 due to its popularity and success. The government allocates approximately two billion US dollars annually for scholarships, enabling over 125,000 students to pursue higher education overseas. Cultural attaches’ offices arrange job fairs for graduates, inviting Saudi companies to offer internships and jobs, reducing bureaucratic hurdles.

Progress in Female Education:
Female education has witnessed significant improvement in recent years. In 2006, 78% of women aged 15 and above were literate, compared to 89% of men. Today, girls constitute 51% of students from kindergarten to 12th grade, while boys make up 59%. Women comprise more than 56% of Saudi university graduates and over 20% of those who benefit from overseas scholarships. Female literacy has surpassed 80% and is approaching 100% among younger generations.

Princess Noura University:
The recent establishment of Princess Noura University reflects the kingdom’s commitment to female education. The world-class women’s institution can accommodate up to 70,000 students.

Education and Women’s Empowerment:
Saudi Arabia has experienced significant improvement in women’s education, with King Abdullah emphasizing their role in comprehensive development. The country has invested heavily in education, enabling women to earn high educational credentials and excel in various fields. Women are expected to play a prominent role in promoting the nation’s interests while adhering to Islamic law.

Progress in Education:
Saudi Arabia has achieved near-universal literacy, established a robust public and private school system, and boasts numerous colleges and universities. The Kingdom recognizes education as the foundation for progress, realizing that it benefits all of humanity.

Challenges:
Despite the progress, Saudi Arabia still faces social impediments, such as the ban on women driving. The country is working to overcome obstacles and achieve higher ambitions, including addressing the mismatch between education and job opportunities.

Bureaucratic Reforms:
The Public Administration Institute focuses on improving bureaucratic performance through training, internships, and knowledge sharing. It collaborates with other institutions and seeks to enhance the capabilities of bureaucrats in providing expert advice and improving civil service.

Addressing the Mismatch between Education and Job Opportunities:
Saudi Arabia aims to align graduates’ skills with the job market by emphasizing job skills, surveying private sector needs, and organizing job fairs. The Kingdom sends scholarship students abroad to acquire specialized skills and knowledge. Despite progress, there is still room for improvement in meeting global standards and addressing the mismatch challenge.

Government Initiatives:
The Saudi government has implemented the Nataqat program to encourage private enterprises to employ more Saudi nationals. Partnerships between the government and private capital enterprises have been established to provide training facilities for job seekers, with each party covering half of the expenses.

Challenges in the Job Market:
The government remains the largest employer, offering average-skill jobs. The private sector faces a shortage of skilled workers, leading to a high demand for graduates in business and finance. The issue of unemployment primarily affects unskilled workers, while there is a shortage of skilled graduates in the region.

Skills Mismatch and Inequality:
The skills mismatch problem is linked to income inequality and regional disparities. Education systems often create tracking systems that limit opportunities for low-income and rural students. This results in a large majority of students not receiving adequate education, affecting their access to higher education and job opportunities.

Addressing Disparities in Education:
The government and private enterprise recognize the need to address disparities in education. A program has been initiated to provide training for job seekers, funded by both the government and private companies. This program aims to train individuals in various regions, including rural areas, to match their skills with job demands.

Ongoing Efforts:
The Saudi government and educational institutions are aware of the need to address skills mismatch and disparities in education. Efforts are being made to improve the quality of education and provide training opportunities for job seekers. However, there is still progress to be made in achieving a comprehensive solution to these challenges.

Expansion of Higher Education:
Saudi Arabia has expanded the number of universities and technical colleges to provide training and education opportunities in all provinces. This expansion aims to meet the needs of the growing youth population and reduce the need for them to travel to major cities for higher education.

Technical Training Sector:
Efforts are being made to develop the technical training sector in Saudi Arabia. The government is working on reinvesting billions of dollars from offset programs into technical training initiatives. One example is the requirement for companies involved in railroad projects to establish training facilities for Saudi workers.

Peace-Building Initiatives and Educational Programs:
Saudi Arabia has undertaken educational initiatives to promote Islam as a religion of peace and combat extremism. These initiatives are linked to the country’s peace-building efforts in the region, particularly in addressing the sectarian schism between Sunnis and Shias. The educational programs aim to foster tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among different religious groups.

Saudi Arabia’s Education Reforms:
Curriculum changes emphasize religious and cultural values, removing references that promote sectarian differences. Efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and understanding among different cultures and religions.

King Abdullah’s Initiatives:
Establishment of the Center for Cultural and Religious Dialogue in Vienna in 2008. Call for a summit of Muslim leaders in Mecca to discuss reaching out to other cultures and religions. Organization of a conference in Madrid involving various religious and cultural leaders. Proposal for a center for dialogue between cultures and religions at the United Nations.

Intercultural Dialogue Center:
Inauguration of the Intercultural Dialogue Center in Vienna in 2012 with the support of Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Austria. Aim to foster dialogue and understanding among different religious and cultural groups.

Addressing Sectarian Issues:
King Abdullah’s call for a summit of the Islamic Cooperation Organization in Mecca in 2011. Proposal to establish a center for sectarian dialogue in Medina, near the mosque of the Prophet Muhammad. Support for these initiatives through education, mosque preaching, and media in Saudi Arabia.

Challenges for Educated Saudi Women:
The guardianship system’s impact on the social and economic mobility of educated women. Difficulty in applying skills gained through higher education due to guardianship restrictions. Limited data and research on the experiences of Saudi women returning home after studying abroad.

Saudi Arabian Women’s Mobility and Employment:
Despite guardianship laws, some women are actively pursuing opportunities outside their hometowns for work and education. Prince Turki’s daughter works in Jeddah while he lives in Riyadh, and her mobility has not been hindered due to the guardianship issue.

American Students’ Experience in Saudi Arabia:
The Saudi embassy in the U.S. had a program to invite American students of various levels to visit and discuss issues with embassy officials. Prince Turki also visited Saudi students in their American universities, observing their interactions and involvement in extracurricular activities. These interactions provided a well-rounded education, as American students engaged in open conversations and shared their life experiences.

Prince Turki’s Perspective on the U.S.-Arabian-Saudi Relationship:
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. has been strategic and significant since the 1930s, highlighted by the meeting between King Abraez and President Roosevelt in 1945. The relationship has experienced ups and downs, with both positive experiences and differences. Prince Turki cites an example of a disagreement between the two countries regarding the U.S. not supporting Saudi Arabia’s position on the Palestinian issue.

Saudi Arabia’s Offer to Egypt for Arms Purchase:
Press reports have mentioned Saudi Arabia offering Egypt money to purchase Russian arms, but Prince Turki has not heard any official comments on this matter. He advises caution in considering these reports, as they may not be accurate.

The Ups and Downs of Saudi-US Relations:
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States has experienced both highs and lows. A low point was the 1973 oil embargo imposed by Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries due to perceived U.S. bias towards Israel. A high point was the joint effort to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1990, where half a million American soldiers were deployed to Saudi Arabia.

President Obama’s Visit to Saudi Arabia:
The upcoming visit of President Obama to Saudi Arabia is an opportunity for face-to-face discussions on various issues, including Syria, Iran, Egypt, and other regional matters. It demonstrates the strength of the relationship between the two countries and their willingness to openly address areas of disagreement.

Saudi Scholarship Program:
Saudi Arabia has a scholarship program that sends students abroad for higher education, including to the United States. While this program may raise concerns about the impact on Saudi universities, there are initiatives to encourage students to stay in Saudi Arabia and pursue higher education in various fields.

Quality of Saudi Universities:
Saudi universities are of high quality and attract top-caliber students. The Al-Faisal University in Riyadh and the Effat University in Jeddah are notable examples of private universities with excellent academic standards.

Humanities and Social Sciences in Saudi Universities:
Saudi universities also have strong programs in the humanities and social sciences, in addition to science and engineering. Graduates from these programs often return to Saudi Arabia to teach and contribute to the country’s intellectual and cultural development.

Cultural Exchange and Mutual Understanding:
Student exchange programs, like the one mentioned, are important for promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Saudi Arabia and the United States. These programs help address the lack of familiarity and hesitancy between the two societies and foster closer ties on a personal level.

Saudi Business Fairs in the United States:
In the last five years, Saudi business fairs have been held in various US cities, starting with Chicago in 2017, followed by Atlanta, and Los Angeles in 2022. Over 1,000 American enterprises participated in these fairs, connecting with the Saudi business community.

Increased Exchange of Goods and Services:
As a result of these business fairs, the exchange of goods and services between Saudi Arabia and the US has increased significantly. The US remains Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, despite China’s rapid growth in trade.

Diversification of Trade:
The trade relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US is not limited to oil exports from Saudi Arabia and arms exports from the US. It includes a wide range of other sectors such as construction, medicines, education, and more.

Importance of Human Exchange:
The expansion of human-to-human exchange through business interactions is seen as crucial in strengthening the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US.