Saudis turning their backs on U.S. varsities

As a result of the difficulties Saudi students face in the United States after September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, they started turning their backs on American universities and are heading towards Far East, Australia and Canada.

With about 7,000 students from the Kingdom studying abroad, mostly in United States universities and colleges, representatives of Malaysian, Australian, and Canadian universities have been visiting the Kingdom recently to attract those students who have returned from the U.S. or those who are seeking higher education abroad.

Dr. Ahmed Zaki Abu Baker, dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Systems at University Technology Malaysia and head of a large visiting delegation from Malaysian universities, said: "Students from the Arab world, especially from Saudi Arabia have shown an interest to study in Malaysia and particularly in information technology."

Abu Baker addressed a press conference during his recent visit to the Kingdom as part of a campaign to attract more Saudi students to the Malaysia.

Noor Zarina Musa, manager of marketing and public relation at University of Tenaga National in Malaysia, pointed out that Arab students, particularly Saudis, no longer prefer to go to the United States.

"The majority of them who used to study in the United States and the United Kingdom now go for Asian universities, especially Malaysia," she said.

The Malaysian delegation visited Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. They assured Saudi parents and students of "safe and friendly campuses, excellent research facilities and lower living and education costs" as reasons to continue their higher education.

Hassan Al Qahtani, a father of a high school student who attended the meeting with the Malaysian delegation, told Gulf News that he is searching for the proper education institute for his son who is graduating this year.

"I think after the mistreatment Saudi students face in the United States, it is going to be a bad idea to send him to the U.S. So, I guess we are planning to send him to Malaysia," he said.

Meanwhile, Australia which seems to be the last destination for Saudi students, has also delegated a number of representatives to demonstrate their capabilities and potential to Saudis.

Mohammed Sayeeduddin Hyder, Operation Manager for IDP education Australia, Saudi Arabia, said the number of applicants has grown in the last year from the Arab world. "To date the percentage of Saudi students has around 80 followed by those from India and Pakistan," he said.

Sanjeev Verma, Director IDP education Australia, UAE and Gulf states and head of a 15-member delegation, said that last year the number of students from the Gulf was about 1,000. This year he hopes the number will increase.

Ghassan Attar, managing director for International Development Programme Education Australia-Saudi Arabia, said "Australia with its potential in education will attract Saudi students for its quality and incredible lower prices. The fees are 55 to 60 per cent lower than Europe and America."

On the other hand, Canadians have something different to offer from the traditional British and American education said Mike Adamyk, coordinator of International Education and Training of Algonquin College who visited the Kingdom earlier. "We have similar standards but cheaper. This is our first international marketing here in Saudi Arabia. We hope to succeed to convince Saudi students to enroll in our college," he said.