Saudi Arabia is about to open a new university unlike any in the conservative kingdom. It is The King Abdullah Science and Technology University (KAUST). It is a state-of-the-art university with the latest equipment including the world's 14th fastest supercomputer. The university is planned as an oasis of scientific freedom in a land dominated by religious conservatives. Tuition is $70,000 a year, but is paid by the government. Saudi Arabia hopes to attract students from around the world plus develop a native scientific community in areas not related to the oil industry. Most surprising is the freedom women will have on campus. Women will not have to wear veils or cover their faces, and they will be able to mingle freely with male students. Women will even be able to drive on campus.
Is this a sign of the first crack in the conservatism of Saudi Arabia or will the conservatives see it as a threat and use it as a target in their "defense" of fundamental Islam?
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...on a slightly different note just to add to this: The King Hussein Foundation is also doing a tremendous amount of work in Saudi Arabia. Before going back to school I worked for a non-profit that coordinated robotics programs for kids ages 6 through high school. The King Hussein Foundation ran the program in Saudi Arabia for middle school aged children, allowing boys and girls to participate. They even sent an all girl's team to the end of season "World Festival" event in Atlanta, GA, USA! It does seem as if some changes are happening...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info., Kim. It does sound as though positive changes are coming.
ReplyDeleteBut I was concerned as soon as I heard this story this morning that the fundamentalists might react to the new freedoms.
ReplyDeleteI just spoke to a boy who went abroad to Saudi Arabia and the University he was able to attend was an all girls one. Funny right? Also, he said he spoke to a man who said how much he loves America. Then he said... "yeah its a shame what Israel did to you guys though"... then the said "wait, what do you mean? And he said "you know 911...only Israel could be evil enough to do something like that"
ReplyDeleteAstounding, Bunny.
ReplyDelete