King Abdulaziz University (KAU) is a prominent institution of higher education in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, established in 1967. Initially founded as a private university through the efforts of a group of businessmen led by Muhammad Bakhashab, and with the notable participation of author Hamza Bogary, the university was named in honor of King Abdulalziz ibn Saud, the founding monarch of Saudi Arabia. The university's private status underwent a significant transformation in 1974 when it was converted into a public university by King Faisal.
King Abdulaziz University holds a distinguished status among Saudi Arabia's educational institutions, boasting a comprehensive array of faculties and courses. With 24 faculties in total, 15 situated on the main campus and 9 off-campus, KAU is a hub for both teaching and research activities. The university's commitment to offering diverse and specialised courses is evident in its academic offerings, including unique disciplines such as marine science, meteorology, and astronomy.
As of 2022, King Abdulaziz University has grown to become the largest university in Saudi Arabia, with an enrollment of over 117,096 students. Its strategic location in south Jeddah positions it as a central hub for education and research in the city. KAU continues to play a vital role in shaping the educational and research endeavors of students and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in Saudi Arabia.
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) has a history rooted in the vision to establish a private university in the city of Jeddah, an idea initiated by Mohammed Ali Hafiz in 1964. A preparatory committee, including Hafiz and Muhammad Abu Bakr Bakhashab, was formed, gaining official approval from Crown Prince Faisal. In 1967, the university was officially established as a private institution with the objective of spreading higher education in the western region of Saudi Arabia, where no higher-education institutions existed in Jeddah at that time. This endeavor was supported by influential businessmen, notable figures, and the financial backing and encouragement of King Faisal. The university began its inaugural academic year in 1968, marking the start of its journey with a relatively small number of students.
In a significant turn of events in 1974, the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia decided to merge King Abdulaziz University with the government, transforming it into a public university. Since then, KAU has grown substantially, becoming the largest university in Saudi Arabia as of 2022, with over 117,096 students. The transition to a public university did not only expand its scale but also enhanced its academic prominence. Fazlur Rahman Khan, a Bangladeshi-American architect, designed the university's buildings. KAU has received international recognition for its academic excellence, with Times Higher Education ranking it as the top Arab university in 2018, attributing its success to a strong citation impact and a highly international outlook.
King Abdulaziz University has been actively engaged in research programs, particularly in the period between 2004 and 2014, aiming to attract the international community. The university has developed numerous research partnerships and centers, including collaborative lunar research with the Astronomic Observatory of Oukaïmeden in Morocco. With 13 research centers covering fields such as medicine, environment, energy, climate change, and desalination, KAU continues to contribute significantly to global research efforts. The Hajj Research Center, founded by Sami Angawi in the 1970s, conducts vital research on the pilgrimage to Mecca, focusing on logistical aspects and the religious event's various dimensions.
The Faculty of Engineering at KAU encompasses various disciplines, including Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Biomedical & Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Chemical & Materials Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Production Engineering, among others. These programs have received accreditation from ABET, establishing them as Substantially Equivalent Programs since 2003.
The Faculty of Economics and Administration, known as "The Base of Founder's University," houses departments focused on business administration, finance, marketing, human resource management, accounting, management information systems, political science, health administration, public administration, economics, and law. The Faculty of Law, established in 2012 as a separate entity, encompasses areas of public law and private law, contributing to legal education at KAU.
The university's commitment to holistic education is evident in its various faculties, each offering unique programs to cater to diverse academic interests. The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine (including a branch in Rabigh), Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Business, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Communication and Media, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Design, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Designs, Faculty of Home Economics, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Tourism, Faculty of Maritime Studies, and Faculty of Architecture and Planning collectively contribute to KAU's comprehensive academic offerings. These diverse faculties empower students to pursue their academic and professional aspirations across a wide spectrum of disciplines.
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