RIYADH — With tens of thousands of Saudis studying across the globe now as part of King Abdullah Scholarship Program, the Kingdom is experiencing a cultural renaissance, where the saying “travel broadens the mind” rings loud and clear. However, many young Saudis are now turning their attention to the Kingdom's rapidly developing higher education facilities. Benefited by the familiarity of the region and closeness to their families, the huge influx of Saudi students studying locally has readied the Kingdom academically for its vision of a diversified knowledge economy. The experience of travel and the cultural sensitivities that come with it remain the primary difference between students at home and abroad. Over the past few years, King Saud University (KSU) has been taking these examples into close consideration, offering the best of both worlds to its students by sending them on short-term study abroad programs, which students say help keep them rooted at home and still enabling them to branch out and gain the perks of travel. One of the most recent and most innovative of these programs is a collaboration between KSU's College of Architecture and Planning and renowned Irish architecture firm Scott Tallon Walker (STW). “STW offered our students a highly effective and expansive study abroad program during the summer of 2012 and 2013, where students worked closely with STW's Dublin office, gaining experience in their field,” said college dean Dr. Omar Bahammam. “Our collaboration with STW has helped bridge cultural gaps and exchange the necessary know-how between students anxious to take on the job market, and seasoned veterans,” he added. The success of the STW and KSU's collaboration on the university's sports campus helped pave the way for a successful relationship, in part leading to STW's Riyadh office Associate Director Kevin Bates receiving the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland's (RIAI) Gold Medal – the highest RIAI award, presented every three years by the president of Ireland. Bates said: “This summer and the previous summer has been a resounding success, both the students and our guys in the head office really enjoyed the experience. Saudi Gazette talked to several students to gauge their impressions of the program. The response echoed with excitement and praise. Alaa Mahrous, who attended the study-abroad program at STW's Dublin office, said: “During the three weeks we spent at STW, we learned a lot about sustainable architecture. “I have noticed a strong connection between the training program and our syllabus, including the subject of sustainability, community service and how to run a building with highest efficiency and lowest cost.” Another student, Naif Al-Luhaydan, agreed. “STW gave us a better explanation of sustainable buildings, showing us how they are designed while considering the environment in various different ways.”
