The opening of the SR20 billion Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh is a welcome and timely boost for women's education in the country and is a clear indication of the importance attached to their inclusion in the economy, for the country's future development. The project is of staggering proportions: It is built on eight million square meters, will have a 700-bed hospital, 15 colleges, a central library, conference hall, laboratories, and three research centers for nanotechnology, information technology and biosciences. There is also housing for staff and 12,000 students. Significantly, there will also be primary, intermediate and secondary schools for boys and girls. When completed it will have almost 50,000 students. At the moment there are 28,000 students and about 3,000 staffers. The campus is linked by a 19-kilometer state-of-the-art automated railway system. This is the type of institution that is going to make a significant difference to the economy in years to come, provided teaching standards are maintained. Recent statistics show that women now make up 58 percent of students at universities in the Kingdom. This is a massive number of women who are being educated to take up positions in the country. There is no industry that women cannot compete on an equal footing with men. Their emancipation and inclusion is vital if this country is going to ensure it can compete with regional and international economies. This institution is a clear sign that the government has recognized what needs to be done. It is an investment that will pay great dividends years from now. But it must be remembered that this is only the first step toward ensuring that there is equality in the workplace. It would be pointless to educate thousands of women every year and then not create jobs in law, medicine and other sectors — both in the public and private sectors. This must be done as soon as possible. Women cannot graduate with important skills and then sit at home and do nothing. That would be a great tragedy that must be avoided at all costs. __
