Riyadh: The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and King Abdulaziz University signed a cooperation agreement on Thursday to establish the Saudi School of Mines. The move will transform the university's Faculty of Earth Sciences and Department of Mining Engineering into a global academic and research institution. It aims to create a competitive educational ecosystem that keeps pace with the transformative growth of the mining sector.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the strategic initiative was announced on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum, in the presence of Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef and Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan. Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer and President of King Abdulaziz University Dr. Tareef Alaama represented their respective sides during the signing.
The agreement aims to position the new Saudi School of Mines among the world's top five institutions in earth sciences and mining by attracting a global academic partner to transfer expertise and localize knowledge. It also includes restructuring bachelor's and graduate programs to fully align with the rapidly evolving labor market and bridge the gap between academic output and industry needs.