Naming of King Abdulaziz University
King Abdulaziz University was founded in 1967 and named after King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who led the nation toward unification and stability and laid the foundations of its modern renaissance. The naming of the university reflects a renewed royal vision dedicated to elevating the nation and achieving sustainable development across various fields. It embodies profound appreciation for King Abdulaziz’s vision and his pivotal role in state-building, and stands as recognition of his great achievements in unifying the Saudi lands and securing independence and sovereignty. King Abdulaziz was a symbol of wise leadership and sweeping reforms that brought about transformative changes in all sectors, including education, which was central to his vision for developing Saudi society. What began as a modest educational institution has grown into one of the largest and most prominent universities in the region, offering distinguished academic programs across diverse disciplines and contributing to the preparation of national talent capable of realizing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The Life of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, Founder of Saudi ArabiaBrothers, the idea of establishing this university was firmly rooted in the minds of a select group of your fellow countrymen, who sought thereby to serve knowledge and to demonstrate to all that in this noble land there are men who act, build, and create, rather than merely speak. Brothers, it has long been thought in our country that no endeavor could succeed or progress unless it was tied to the state or those affiliated with it. Yet it is enough for this project to stand as a symbol, affirming that in this land there are those who can work, establish, and advance whenever they so will. And allow me, brothers, at this moment to strip away every other title: I am but one of the sons of this honorable nation, and it fills me with joy, pride, and gratitude to see among this people those who rise and move to serve their nation. I say this not out of doubt in myself or in the sons of my country, but so that those present and absent, within and beyond our borders, may know that there are men who serve their homeland and labor for its sake. And it is enough to say that this coming institution, with God’s help, has sprung from the people and is for the people.
King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 22 Jumada Al-Awwal 1384 AH, First Meeting of the Founding Committee
Journey of King Abdulaziz University
From Ambitious Beginnings to a Historic Launch
The Beginning
After God bestowed His grace upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the foundations of the state were firmly established through the struggle of its founder, the late King Abdulaziz Al Saud, who exerted tremendous effort in unifying the country and realizing its greater aspirations, the state turned toward achieving two primary goals: building a strong and united society through social development, and establishing a robust national economy through economic development.
The idea of establishing a major private university in Jeddah was launched to serve as a beacon of knowledge and a center for national development. From its inception, the project received the support of the Saudi leadership, as King Faisal bin Abdulaziz—may God have mercy on him—on 25/3/1384 AH graciously assumed the chairmanship of the project’s Founding Committee, while King Khalid bin Abdulaziz—may God have mercy on him—together with members of the royal family contributed through donations and support for its initiatives.
On the morning of Saturday, the 4th of Rajab 1387 AH, King Abdulaziz University opened its doors to welcome its first cohort of students, marking the beginning of a bright chapter in the history of higher education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This event represented a defining moment in the course of the national renaissance established by the state’s founder and unifier, King Abdulaziz Al Saud.
At the outset, the hope was for the university to be limited to only four colleges. However, by God’s will and with His abundant grace and great blessings, the wheel of development in the country turned at a pace that exceeded all expectations. During this time, His Majesty the late King Faisal recognized that the university, which had grown stronger and firmly established its presence, was in need of government support.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, patronized the ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of King Abdulaziz University and laid the foundation stone for the university’s new projects on Wednesday, 18 Sha‘ban 1437 AH.
King Abdulaziz University Today: A beacon of knowledge and a center of academic excellence at both the local and international levels. The university continually strives to provide advanced education, promote scientific research, and develop national talent, while keeping pace with the latest technological and scientific advancements to meet the needs of society and support Saudi Vision 2030 in building a promising knowledge-based future.
Logo of King Abdulaziz University
The logo of King Abdulaziz University reflects its academic identity and rich heritage, combining elements that symbolize knowledge, ambition, and the maritime environment of the city of Jeddah. The emblem embodies the university’s philosophy of being a beacon of learning and knowledge, contributing to the development of society and the promotion of innovation both locally and globally.
For MoreThe Historical Archives
