February 4, 2005

THE LAUNCH OF CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH'S WORKSHOP ON HIGHER EDUCATION. PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ: THE DOCUMENT REFLECTS THE CROWN PRINCE'S AND THE GOVERNMENT'S INTEREST IN EDUCATION AND EVERYTHING THAT IS OF BENEFIT TO OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS. THE SAUDI MINISTER OF CULTURE AND INFORMATION CONFERS WITH EDITORS-IN-CHIEF OF SAUDI NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES ON THE PRESS COVERAGE OF NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS AGAINST TERRORISM. INTENSE SYRIAN TALKS WITH THE LEBANESE LEADERSHIP ON FUTURE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. On behalf of Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Abdul Majeed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Makkah Region patronized the inauguration of a workshop titled '' Ways of Activating Opinion Document of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz on Higher Education'' organized by Jeddah-based King Abdul Aziz University. A speech ceremony was held on this occasion. In a speech on behalf of Prince Sultan, Prince Abdul Majeed said that the Document highlights the attention being paid by the Crown Prince and the government to the development of the educational process for the interest of male and female students in Arab Gulf countries. He blessed the establishment of a charitable endowment for scientific research in the university, wishing this pioneering project all success. In a press statement following the inaugural ceremony, Prince Abdul Majeed pointed out that municipal election is a first step and commencement is always accompanied by some problems, noting that the election will be carried out gradually to achieve the public interest and to avoid the negative aspects that might take place. The workshop titled '' Ways of Activating Opinion Document of Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on Higher Education'' organized by Jeddah-based King Abdul Aziz University resumed its sessions. A number of speakers of the ministry of higher education and professors addressed the session focusing on the efforts of the ministry and Saudi universities to meet the needs of the labor market and development requirements. They stressed that the Saudi universities have provided the qualified manpower needed by the government in all sectors. An initiative for improving higher education in the Gulf Cooperation Council states took a significant move forward yesterday at King Abdul Aziz University. A three-day workshop for academics across the GCC is focusing on implementing Crown Prince Abdullah's opinion document on higher education in the Kingdom. The document was presented at a meeting of the GCC and subsequently approved by GCC members in December 2002 at Doha, Qatar. The university was chosen to host this workshop during the GCC meeting held last year in Manama, Bahrain. The document is considered one of the important sources for educational reform activities in the Gulf. Its importance lies in its approach toward education as playing an integral role in societal development by focusing on improving academic and training curricula as well as the graduates' attitudes and interests. The document also promotes cooperation, as well as standardizing curricula among GCC countries. The workshop aims to identify means of implementing the Crown Prince's proposals through lectures and workshops by academics from universities across the Gulf as well as the United States, Japan, Britain and France. In addition to providing an opportunity for academics to create a dialog on these issues between Gulf educational institutions, the workshop also aims at presenting ways to develop scientific research in these countries, including diversification of funding resources and identification of the requirements so that educational and vocational institutes can meet job market requirements. "Education is the main measure of a nation's development," said KAAU President Dr. Osamah Taieb in his opening speech. "A wise leadership is the one that cares for education, and our government has always put a priority on education." Dr. Khaled Al-Angari, Minister of Higher Education, spoke about some of the achievements made during the past years, including increased postgraduate enrolment, and expanding curricula and the spread of universities and colleges throughout the Kingdom. "There are plans and programs that follow up and evaluate our achievements at the National Center for Measuring and Evaluating as well as the Fund for Higher Education," Dr. Al-Angari said in his speech. "Among our priorities is improving the curricula and coordination between the education institutions of the Gulf countries." The Crown Prince's opinion document calling for six major projects to develop the education system included having a holistic, comprehensive view of educational development, professionalizing teachers, quality assessment of the institution's performance, establishing e-learning, raising the standards for educational results and creating partnership between education institutions and society. Included in each of these projects are specific programs that can be implemented. Some impediments to the current education system were also discussed, such as reliance on rote memorization, poor teaching skills and administrative centralization. "The document reflects the Crown Prince's and the government's interest in education and everything that is of benefit to our sons and daughters," said Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, who opened the event on behalf of Prince Sultan. The Prince embraced one initiative proposed by the university to establish a fund for scientific research during Ramadan, and at the workshop he launched the Trust for Scientific Research on Haj and Umrah Services and Solving Societal Problems. "There is a session on the last day for recommendations, and depending on those recommendations, steps will be taken to implement them," said Dr. Salem Sahab, vice president for development at KAAU. "We hope the implementation process will move right away but we have no way of enforcing them. It depends on the concession of higher education institutes, agreements, good intentions and follow-up measures at each education institution," Dr. Sahab told Arab News. He said the workshop took thousands of man-hours over the last four months to mount. "We wanted to make it as regional as possible and invite all education institutions in the Gulf countries to take part, either through speeches, research papers or the exhibition," he said. Asked what he considers the most pressing concerns are that need immediate attention, Dr. Sahab said progress required movement on many fronts at the same time and that institutions likely would base their priorities upon their individual needs. A list of recommendations addressing the core issues identified in Crown Prince Abdullah's opinion document on higher education was presented during the final session of a two-day workshop at King Abdul Aziz University. The recommendations look at ways of improving the education system and its content. Chaired by Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khaled Al-Angari, the recommendations session addressed building the scientific and technical base of the curriculum; achieving concurrence between education output and development requirements; developing education and training curricula; increasing the cooperation between education institutes in the Gulf countries and the interest in education partnership issues. Under each of these five points a list of recommendations and mechanisms for implementing them were presented. Among them were the establishment of a center for developing the skills of faculty members and ways of exchanging expertise; establishing centers for e-learning; developing financial and administrative systems in the education institutes and increase spending on higher education institutes including increase of scientific research to represent one percent of the expenses in each institute. When some of the attendees expressed skepticism about implementation of the recommendations, Dr. Al-Angari assured everyone that the recommendations would be presented to the ministers of higher education in their forthcoming meeting. During the question and answer period preceding the recommendation session, many attendees asked about the lack of cooperation between the universities in such things as faculty exchange, research, student transfer and degree equivalency. Dr. Mohsen Al-Dosari from the Arab Education Office said the office is a coordinating agent for implementing the recommendations but the universities have not been cooperating in the programs. He said that while some programs are a success, many others are stalled for bureaucratic and financial reasons. A proposal was made to establish a center for developing higher education, but some attendees said there is a need to develop undergraduate level education too. The first day of the workshop included lectures and panel discussion on distance learning and building the scientific and technical base for distant learning and the education system with a focus on increasing the technical and scientific fields of education. The coordination and compatibility of the education and training institutes and curricula with the job market generated lively discussion. Dr. Abdullah Dahlan, chairman of Business Administration College in Jeddah, spoke on the role of private universities and colleges in achieving the mating of education output and job market needs. He said the Kingdom needs 200 private universities or colleges in the next five years. "There is a big gap between the supply and demand for college seats of about 187,000 and private colleges can provide these seats with careful planning and implementation of a strategy in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, but there are obstacles to receiving funds and loans from the Ministry of Finance delaying the decision by the Council of Ministers for providing these funds," he said. Another critical issue discussed on the first day of the workshop was concerning the quality and standard of the faculty members. A lecture by Dr. Mariam Al-Sabban from Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah on how to choose a faculty member, how to prepare them and the value of staff evaluation received positive response. The final day of the workshop covered issues about curriculum development, education restructuring and strategic planning. There was a suggestion of establishing a center for serving female students and faculty members by Dr. Laila Al-Ghalib because of the difficulties women face in career guidance and training. On the other hand Minister of Education and Head of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Society Dr Mohammed Ahmad Al-Rasheed has received a message for Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, from Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, the Honorary President of the World Scouts Organization. The message was delivered to Dr Al-Rasheed by representative of the Swedish King and president of the World Scouts Fund Dr Iberhardofon in the presence of Secretary General of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Society Dr Abdullah Al-Fahd. The message contained 'the peace gift' which carries the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in recognition of the Saudi role in enhancing the pillars of the global peace, as well as its significant role in the field of Islamic work and its positive contribution to the promotion of tolerance and dialogue through its initiatives at all arenas. The Swedish King pointed out that the World Scouts Organization comprises about 28 million scouts including nine million Muslim scouts. The Swedish delegation said a comprehensive report on the project of 'the peace gift' will be presented at the 37th international conference, due to be organized this year's summer season. Moreover, 'the peace gift' will be the title of the international scouts conference, due to be held in 2007. On his part, Dr Al-Rasheed reiterated the keenness of the Saudi Government on supporting the international scouts movement, because it believes that the scouts movement embodies cooperation of the peace-loving nations. In Bahrain Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Ibn Salman Al Khalifa received Saudi Works Minister Dr Ghazi Al Gosaibi. He hailed the remarkable relations linking both countries and their peoples. Shaikh Khalifa expressed the kingdom's hopes for further co-operation with the Saudi kingdom which mirrors this spirit of co-ordination and co-operation. They also discussed the latest regional and Arab developments in addition to issues of common concern. The Premier asked Dr Al-Gosaibi to convey his greetings to the Saudi leadership. On the other hand Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Fu'ad Ibn Abdul Salam Al-Farsi conferred at his office in Riyadh with editors-in-chief of Saudi newspapers and magazines on the press coverage of national campaigns against terrorism. The meeting was attended by Prince Turki Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Culture and Information; Dr. Abdullah Al Jasser, Undersecretary for Information Affairs; Misfir Al Misfir, Supervisor of Internal Information; Dr. Ayedh Al Raddadi, Director General of the Saudi Press Agency; Mohammed Al Sabbagh, General Supervisor of the minister's office and Hilal Al Hilal, Assistant Undersecretary for Planning and Studies. The meeting dealt with the arrangements taken by the Saudi media to conduct press coverage across the country of an anti-terrorism national campaign in the municipalities that coincides with an international conference to combat terrorism, to be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on the 5th of February 2005. Dr. Al-Farsi pointed to the role of the press in covering the event in detail and making it available for readers. He lauded the efforts exerted by the Saudi press in spreading national awareness and remaining steadfast against terrorism. In Beirut Lebanese President Emile Lahoud received the Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri and his accompanying delegation. ‏ Present at the meeting were Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karami, ministers and the secretary-general of the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council. ‏ During the meeting, Premier Otri conveyed to President Lahoud the greetings and wishes of President Bashar al-Assad to the Lebanese people for progress and prosperity. ‏ In turn, President Lahoud asked Otri to convey to the President his greetings and best wishes to the Syrian people. ‏ Otri and Karami briefed President Lahoud on the results of the Syrian-Lebanese economic and social committee meeting. ‏ President Lahoud stressed the necessity of continuing joint cooperation between the two countries, especially under the current complicated circumstances, to confront and overcome challenges facing the Arab nation. ‏ Talks also dealt with the latest developments in the region, and in the Arab and international arenas. ‏ Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri also discussed with Premier Otri yesterday evening cooperation relations between Syria and Lebanon in the framework of fraternity, cooperation and coordination treaty between the two countries, in all the political, economic, cultural and parliamentary fields and ways of strengthening them. ‏ Earlier, Prime Minister, and his Lebanese counterpart wrapped up the meetings of the Syrian-Lebanese socio-economic committee by signing a memo of understanding regarding exhibitions and world markets, and the statute of the joint Phoenician air company. ‏ The minutes of the committee meetings underlined the strength of the standing bilateral relations of cooperation in all spheres. ‏ The two sides reviewed prospects of cooperation on the economic and trade levels, in addition to the exchange of trade products, organizations of fairs, and the establishment of free trade zones. ‏ The joint committee was also assigned to prepare the necessary studies for the building of unified customs within a period of five years. ‏ The two sides agreed to exempt the citizens of both countries of all the duties and fees which are collected at the border points while travelling by sea, land and sea. ‏ The Syrian side agreed to ease the financial burdens which should have been otherwise collected from some Lebanese businessmen who stored imported cars in the two Syrian ports of Tartous and Lattakia before the cars are transported to Iraq, by exempting them of 50 percent of due taxes until March. ‏ Otri and Karami held a joint press conference and answered the questions of journalists. ‏ During the press conference, Otri said that the two countries are bound to one destiny and one track. ‏ He added that the two countries take the stances that they see fitting their national stances against the common challenges. ‏ For his part, Karami said that the standing bilateral economic and social cooperation aim at dealing with the challenges. ‏ He added that the concluded agreements between the two sides are contributing to the consolidation of correct relations that serve the interests of both countries. ‏ Earlier chaired by Prime Minister, Mohammed Naji Otri and his Lebanese counterpart, Omar Karami, the Syrian-Lebanese Socio-Economic Committee met yesterday in Beirut. ‏ Opening the meeting, Karami said that Syria and Lebanon have been exposed to challenges with the aim of influencing their national stances which constitute the future basis of their generations. ‏ He added that more cooperation is needed to fortify the two countries stances in the face of there challenges. ‏ Karami called on for the necessity for regional cooperation in order to overcome the difficulties that hinder development. ‏ Karami described the treaty of fraternity cooperation, and coordination between Syrai and Lebanese as an example to follow by the Arab countries in the face of the external challenges. ‏ For his part, Otri also described the Syrian-Lebanese relations as a perfect example of the inter-Arab relations particularly in the current circumstances and challenges. ‏ He said that the projects of hegemony and containment can not be resisted unless by solidarity, integration and coordination. ‏ The talks of the Syrian-Lebanese committee focused on cooperation in the economic, customs, transport, agriculture, gas, oil, communication, industrial, environmental, and tourist spheres. ‏ The talks were attended by ministers of finance, electricity, transport, oil, communications, tourism, local administration, agriculture, irrigation, industry, trade, health from both countries. ‏ Otri and his Lebanese counterpart Karami started talks in Beirut focussed on bilateral relations between Syria and Lebanon, and the agenda of the Syrian-Lebanese economic and social committee meetings. ‏ Otri arrived in Beirut on an official visit to Lebanon. ‏ In a statement upon his arrival, Otri said his visit comes within the frame of the Syrian-Lebanese economic and social committee meeting to discuss different fields of cooperation and integration with the purpose of continuously boosting Syrian-Lebanese ties particularly under the current complicated situation in which the Arab National faces different challenges. ‏ Regarding the situation in Iraq and Syria's relation with the United States, Otri confirmed Syria's keenness to maintain Iraq`s security, stability and unity, and stressed the necessity of making the Iraqi people able to manage their affairs and decide their political future. ‏ Otri also reiterated that Syria adopts the policy of dialogue with the United States as a means to achieve mutual understanding and settle the region's causes.‏ Lebanese President Emile Lahoud received the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem. ‏ During the meeting, al-Moualem delivered President Lahoud a message from President Bashar al-Assad on the current developments in the Arab arena. ‏ Another meeting was held between Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hamoud and al-Moualem. It dealt with bilateral relations in the framework of coordination standing between the two countries. ‏ In statements given to reporters following the meeting, Hamoud said: Relations between Syria and Lebanon are established on strong bases, they have deep roots in history, coherent with geography and adherent to the unity of destiny. These relations have roots of common interests toward challenges facing the two countries and the region. ‏ He added: Al-Moualem's current visit to Lebanon comes in the framework of the policy of coordination and cooperation between the foreign ministries of both countries with regard to political affairs. Minister Hamoud indicated that talks during the meeting dealt with the best ways and methods to deal with the new developments and changes. ‏ Syria's role in the last decades is a good evidence of what it has done to confront partition and fragmentation plans, in cooperation with the good people in Lebanon. This is in addition to the dissolution of militias and reaching security and stability prevailing now in Lebanon, Hamoud said, stressing the importance of cooperation between Syria and Lebanon and the latter keenness on restoring Shabaa farms, commitment to the right of return and rejection of resettlement. ‏ Hamoud said: Taif Agreement is the reference that we can resort to in all issues relating to both countries, and so is the Fraternity, Cooperation and Coordination Treaty. ‏ For his part, al-Moualem described the Syrian-Lebanese relations as strong and constantly strengthening in all domains, confirming Syria's absolute support for Lebanese basics, pointing out that Syria is dealing equally with all Lebanese. ‏ He stressed the importance of the meetings of the Syrian-Lebanese economic and social committee, which were held under the chairmanship of the two countries premiers, in expanding horizons of cooperation to cover all domains. ‏ On the other hand Lebanon's draft electoral law has created furious rows between the country's opposition and government loyalists. As was widely predicted, the new law envisages the division of the capital into three electoral districts. Under the proposal the country will be divided into 26 districts. It also introduces two popular amendments: the lowering of the voting age to 18 and more controversially, it proposes allocating 30 percent of seats in Parliament to women. The Cabinet expected to formally discuss the law later this week, but Premier Omar Karami refuted criticisms, insisting the law could still be amended. Meanwhile, contrary to government expectations, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri announced he will run in Beirut's third electoral district, and not in the first district, which includes a majority of Sunni voters. Sources close to Hariri said he will have two complete lists in Beirut. The first one in the third district, which has nine seats, is mostly Shiite and Armenian, and the second is in the six-seat mostly Sunni first district.