JEDDAH: The Faculty of Engineering at King Abdul Aziz University (KAU) plans to train women in industrial and electrical specializations, said Dr. Abdul Malik Bin Ali Al-Junaidi, Dean of the faculty. He said there is a huge demand for women engineers in fields. The faculty adopted this plan because of the lack of professional educational institutions in the country involved in training Saudi women engineers. Al-Junaidi made the comments in an interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette before the launch of the Sixth Engineering Day, which is scheduled to start on Wednesday and last for two days. The event is sponsored by Saudi Aramco. He was critical of some educational institutions which, in his opinion, used career days to discuss marginal issues related to the labor market like Saudization, unemployment and recruitment. “It would have been more convenient if they had raised these issues on other occasions.” He said the faculty of engineering at KAU had organized the first-ever career day for graduates. He also stressed the faculty's successes over the last 25 years. He urged business owners and private organizations to adopt the innovative projects of the faculty's students. He said students showcase many of their projects on the sidelines of the Engineering Day which reflect their innovation and creativity. “We are looking forward to the day when these projects are converted into products to benefit society.” He said there is a plan to restructure some of the faculty's departments, including mining. Input from industry players are helping with this process, including the establishment of new departments, he said. The Engineering Day will be launched Wednesday under the patronage of Dr. Osama Tayeb, the university's President. More than 1,500 people from the private and public sectors and 30 companies will take part.
