Establishment and Development

Establishment and Development

Over the past decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed remarkable growth in various sectors, with education receiving significant attention. On 6 Dhul-Hijjah 1394H (January 9, 1975), a royal decree by King Khalid bin Abdulaziz (may Allah have mercy on him) established the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences at King Abdulaziz University, and classes began in the same year with the following departments:

1. Civil Engineering
2. Mechanical Engineering
3. Industrial Engineering
4. Electrical Engineering
5. Nuclear Engineering
6. Mining Engineering

In 1401/1402H (1981/1982), the Chemical Engineering Department was established after initially being part of Mechanical Engineering. In 1402H (1982), Mechanical Engineering was reorganized into three tracks:

1. Production and Mechanical Systems Design Engineering
2. Thermal Engineering and Desalination Technology
3. Aerospace Engineering

A Biomedical Engineering specialization was added to the Electrical Engineering Department, making it the fourth specialization alongside Computer Engineering, Power and Machines, and Electronics. In 1407H (1987), the department was renamed Electrical and Computer Engineering, and in 1410H (1990), Chemical Engineering was renamed Chemical and Materials Engineering.

In 1433H (2012), the female branch of the Faculty of Engineering was established in Jeddah, starting with Electrical and Computer Engineering and Industrial Engineering. With continuous support from the university administration, the branch expanded its academic and research activities. In 1446H (2024), female students were admitted to Aerospace and Space Engineering and Nuclear Engineering, and in 1447H (2025), all other departments were introduced, making the female branch a comprehensive engineering school aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s commitment to empowering women in advanced STEM fields.

In 2023 (1445H), the Aerospace Engineering Department was renamed Aerospace and Space Engineering to reflect national and international ambitions in space exploration and advanced aerospace technologies.

Today, the Faculty of Engineering at King Abdulaziz University is recognized as the first in Saudi Arabia to offer specialized programs such as Space Engineering, Mining Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering. It offers Master’s programs in all engineering departments, including Civil, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering, and PhD programs in multiple departments. The faculty continues to expand and diversify its undergraduate and postgraduate programs to meet global market demands and adapt to rapid technological advancements.

Academic Expansion and Accreditation

1. In 1400H (1980), the faculty launched the Technical Arabic Translation Program to produce engineering textbooks and technical dictionaries in Arabic, publishing over 25 reference books to date.
2. In 1421/1422H (2000/2001), the faculty achieved ABET international accreditation for all its programs, making its degrees equivalent to those of leading global universities.
3. The faculty offers Master’s programs in all engineering disciplines and PhD programs in several departments, with ongoing plans to introduce advanced and specialized programs.
4. The female branch was established in 1433H (2012) to provide engineering programs tailored for female students.
5. In 1446H (2024) and 1447H (2025), all engineering departments became available to female students, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and women’s empowerment in STEM fields.
6. The faculty implements a comprehensive quality assurance system through regular reviews, meeting both local and international accreditation requirements, and introducing specialized tracks to address labor market needs.

Facts and Figures (2025)