OREANDA-NEWS. May 08, 2014. “Innovation in Higher Education” was the theme of the Saudi Aramco sponsored 5th International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education (IECHE) held in Riyadh recently.

Organized and supervised by the Ministry of Higher Education, more than 440 local and international universities and scientific institutions from around the globe participated in the event, as well as local and international experts in the field.

HE Dr. Khalid M. Al-Anqari, Minister of Higher Education, inaugurated the event and opened by thanking Saudi Aramco for its support of the event and higher education throughout the Kingdom.

The Minister explained the goal of this year’s session was to promote cooperation and build partnerships between Saudi higher education institutions and their international counterparts. He added the event also emphasizes a mutual understanding on how to address higher education concerns worldwide.

“These exhibitions and accompanying activities are milestones that enrich academic development of higher education,” he said.

Following a ribbon cutting by the Minister and Nasser A. Al-Nafisee, acting executive director of Corporate Affairs for Saudi Aramco, the Minister toured the exhibition, visiting the exhibits of local and international universities and institutions, as well as Saudi Aramco’s pavilion, commending the company for its support of higher education and participation in the annual event.

Al-Nafisee explained the company’s ongoing dedication to supporting IECHE. “

“Through its sponsorship of the exhibition and conference, Saudi Aramco strives to broaden the young students’ horizons and provide them with the best available educational opportunities, which will help them serve their country and fulfill the aspiration for a knowledge-based generation that will support the national economy with its competitive competencies and abilities.”

The company’s pavilion attracted many higher education specialists, as well as high school students and graduates, university graduates and post-graduate students who view Saudi Aramco as one of the most attractive employers for the national workforce in the Kingdom.

Through its sponsorship and its pavilion, the company highlighted the professional and educational benefits it offers to employees. The company’s pavilion also focused on various topics, including recruiting Saudis into the workforce, training and development and scientific research, as well as showing the company’s role in higher education throughout the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, visitors’ questions were answered by various representatives of company departments including Employment, Education Partnerships, Public Relations and Corporate Affairs in Riyadh.

The company’s ongoing participation in IECHE is linked to its strong relationships with participating local and international universities, as well as its long-standing excellent relationships with universities in regard to scientific research and sending company candidates to enroll.

Over the years, Saudi Aramco has sent about 10,000 students to various universities to obtain higher education certificates as part of its scholarship and college preparatory programs. Moreover, the company supports excellence in teaching and scientific research through its patronage of more than 14 academic and research chairs in a wide range of areas, also thanks to its close collaboration with local and foreign universities.

The company contributes to and promotes partnerships with higher education institutions in an effort to meet its requirements through education, training, skill development, research, entrepreneurship and innovation. This is facilitated by managing strategic partnerships with higher education institutions, hosting international academic programs (undergraduate and master’s degrees), supporting local universities in building their capabilities and sponsoring research associate programs in science and engineering.

Saudi Aramco attendees of IECHE also included Khalid A. Al-Rumaih, acting manager of Corporate Affairs–Central Province; Jamil F. Al-Dandany, manager of Saudi Aramco Educational Partnerships; as well as a number of other company officials.