Naimi answered the questions of journalists. In a question by the Saudi Press Agency on the expansion of KAUST to accept larger numbers of students and researchers in the future, he stressed that the numbers already accepted is the beginning and there will be expansion in the number of admissions in the future. He pointed out that the university started with nine research centers, nine specializations and 74 professors with an expected number of 2000 researchers and scientists in the future while the total number of its professors and scientists is due to reach 275. The Minister reiterated that the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of KAUST has yearn him for more than 25 years, to establish a Saudi global university dealing with science and research for the advancement of scientists, researchers, and building an industrial and economic base based on knowledge. Eng. Ali Al-Naimi who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of KAUST added that the university will receive the Saudi talented youth, pointing out to its multi specializations concerning the inventions to be developed into industries, resulted in building an industrial society and a sound economic base contributing to creating job opportunities for Saudis. At the press conference, President of Saudi Armco Engineer Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Faleh made clear that the number of students who were selected reached 800 students from around the world, pointing out that the expansion in the acceptance of 400 to 2000 researchers will be implemented through steps that may take nine years. --More
