In a strategic move aimed at reshaping the mining education landscape in the region, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and King Abdulaziz University signed a landmark cooperation agreement today to establish the “Saudi College of Mining.” This initiative will transform the university’s College of Earth Sciences and Department of Mining Engineering into a world-class academic and research institution. The signing took place on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the International Mining Conference held in Riyadh.
Strategic partnership to support the national economy
The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, and His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan. Representing both sides at the signing were His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Industry for Mining Affairs, Engineer Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, and the President of King Abdulaziz University, Dr. Tarif bin Yousef Al-Aama. This step aims to bridge the gap between academic outputs and the growing needs of the industrial labor market, thus ensuring the sustainability of the mining sector, which the Kingdom relies on to be the third pillar of national industry.
Context of transformation: From latent wealth to human investment
This agreement comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing unprecedented activity in the mining sector, having increased its estimates of untapped mineral wealth from $1.3 trillion to $2.5 trillion. To transform this latent wealth into tangible economic value, the urgent need to develop human capital is paramount. King Abdulaziz University, home to the prestigious Faculty of Earth Sciences, is ideally positioned for this transformation, given its long history as the first faculty specializing in earth sciences in the region, thus providing a solid foundation for launching onto the global stage.
Ambitious goals: To be among the top 5 institutions globally
The agreement sets an ambitious goal for the new college: to be ranked among the top 5 educational institutions globally in the field of earth sciences and mining. To achieve this, the following will be implemented:
- Attracting a global academic partner to transfer expertise and localize advanced knowledge.
- A comprehensive restructuring of undergraduate and graduate programs to align with the latest mining technologies.
- Focus on applied scientific research to address geological and environmental challenges.
Integration of governmental roles and the concept of “productive education”
His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources affirmed that investing in human capital is the true guarantee for the sector's sustainability, noting that the college will produce leaders for major mining projects. For his part, His Excellency the Minister of Education explained that the project embodies the "productive education" model, which directly links education to investment opportunities, thereby enhancing the efficiency of educational spending and increasing its economic impact, in line with the Human Capital Development Program, one of the programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
An integrated system for localizing knowledge
The new college does not operate in isolation, but rather complements a comprehensive educational and training system overseen by the Ministry of Industry. This system includes existing partnerships with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, the establishment of the Saudi Mining Technical Institute in Arar, and the National Academy of Minerals in Yanbu. The new college will focus on covering all stages of the value chain, from geological surveying and exploration to processing and manufacturing, thus solidifying the Kingdom's position as a regional and global hub for minerals.
