New Saudi University, Sponsored By King, Moves Away From Strict Islamic Norms

UAE's The National reports that today in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) will be dedicated. Long the dream of King Abdullah, KAUST--a graduate university dedicated to scientific research and innovation-- has been set up with an endowment of over $10 billion. The King has organized the University so that it is independent and has freed it somewhat from the religious influences that dominate in other Saudi universities. In particular, the country's conservative religious establishment has been critical that the KAUST will be co-educational, with men and women studying and working together. On campus, women will not have to wear the traditional abaya and they will be permitted to drive on campus. University officials are not aiming to spread these freedoms for women elsewhere in the Kingdom, but do hope that KAUST will force the national education system to replace rote learning with creative thinking.