Saudi to create largest women-only university

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Plans to create the world's largest university for women only - set to be completed in Riyadh in 2010 - are due to take a step forward on Wednesday.The Riyadh Women’s University will have 13 colleges, including facilities for medicine, dentistry, nursing, naturopathy and pharmacology and a 700-bed hospital.

King Abdullah is due to lay a foundation stone for the new campus later on Wednesday.

The new university and campus, which will accommodate up to 40,000 students, aims to be the focal point for promoting education among women in the kingdom, Arab News reported on Wednesday.

Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf told the paper: “It will be the largest specialised campus for women in the world. The project also aims at improving the condition of Saudi women and enabling them to participate in the country’s development process efficiently.”

Plans have been announced to link with prominent universities inside and outside the kingdom to promote research.

The university also plans to focus on educational programmes that are essential to meet Saudi’s job market requirements.

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Posted by: Sadaf Sheikh

its a great step just according to the spirit of the greatest religion of Islam, which had empowered the women some 1400 years ago.
many congrats and hats off to all those who have been and are involved in this revolutionary step. may Allah give jaza e khair to all involved. my greatest wish is to be attached with this esteemed institution in any possible way.

Posted by: Kafeel

This is a big step towards empowering women through knowledge and making them self sufficient. Hope this university will serve this noble purpose. I wish all the best.

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