Historical Event: The Beginning of a New Era

On the morning of Saturday, 4th of Rajab 1387 AH (1967 AD), King Abdulaziz University opened its doors to welcome its first group of students, marking the beginning of a bright chapter in the history of higher education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This historic milestone reflected the nation’s renaissance laid down by its founder and unifier, King Abdulaziz Al Saud. Rising proudly on the western coast of the Kingdom, the University stood as a cultural stronghold and an advanced hub of Arab intellect, affirming that thought can only be met with thought, and culture is only enriched by culture. In its first academic year, the University welcomed its pioneering faculty and students: eight full-time and four part-time professors, alongside five female lecturers. The student body comprised 68 male students and 30 female students, while the administrative staff counted around 40 employees working both within and outside the institution. The University began as a private institution, launching its journey with a Preparatory Year Program designed to strengthen the essential foundations of higher education: languages (Arabic and English) and mathematics. In the following year (1388/1389 AH – 1968/1969 AD), the Faculty of Economics and Administration was established, followed by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, which commenced with the Department of English Language. The University’s expenditures in 1387/1388 AH amounted to 2,964,837 Saudi Riyals. In the following year (1388/1389 AH), the budget reached 2,076,875 Riyals, and by 1389/1390 AH, expenditures rose to 3,936,077 Riyals. In line with the Kingdom’s steady and determined march toward a better future, the University continued expanding its academic offerings to meet the country’s growing needs. Between 1390–1391 AH (1970–1971 AD), the Applied Geology Institute was founded, signaling the start of a new phase of academic and research development.