King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Tops The Times Global Ranking

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. SPA file photo
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. SPA file photo
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King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Tops The Times Global Ranking

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. SPA file photo
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. SPA file photo

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) has topped universities in the Middle East and Africa in the Times Higher Education global ranking, becoming the number one institution not only in the Arab world but across the entire Middle East and Africa region.

This achievement surpasses all universities in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, Türkiye, South Africa, and other countries in the region.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman pledged that KFUPM would serve as a model not only for the Arab and Islamic worlds but also globally in terms of education. He emphasized that the university would set an example in both higher education and undergraduate programs, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s aspirations.

He added: “We used to say that our ambition knows no bounds except the sky. Now, seeing these tangible outcomes, we believe our ambition must reach the sky.”

KFUPM is a Saudi public university that was officially established by royal decree on Sept. 23, 1963.



Local Content in Saudi Government Projects Rises to 47% by Q3

Al-Falih said that local content policies are integral to the state’s strategy. (SPA)
Al-Falih said that local content policies are integral to the state’s strategy. (SPA)
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Local Content in Saudi Government Projects Rises to 47% by Q3

Al-Falih said that local content policies are integral to the state’s strategy. (SPA)
Al-Falih said that local content policies are integral to the state’s strategy. (SPA)

The proportion of local content in Saudi government projects has grown significantly, rising from 33% in 2020 to approximately 47% by the end of the third quarter of this year. This progress was announced by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef during a ministerial session titled, Future Trends in Light of Vision 2030, at the second edition of the Local Content Forum 2024.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb emphasized that tourism is a cornerstone of Vision 2030, stating: “We aim to localize investment spending with the support of national institutions.”

He also outlined plans to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy from 3% in 2019 to 10%.

Al-Khateeb underscored the collaborative efforts underway with the private sector to develop the tourism industry.

For his part, Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih highlighted that local content policies have been integral to the state’s strategy since its founding. He stressed that enhancing the competitiveness of local companies plays a vital role in advancing localization efforts.

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed Al-Hogail stated that increasing local content is part of a long-term plan, noting that 70% of home construction technologies are now manufactured locally.

In turn, Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim explained that boosting local content helps drive economic growth. He emphasized that import substitution presents a valuable opportunity to support domestic products and balance trade.