Over 1000 Saudi graduates thank Australia

By ABDULRAHAM ALQARIN

Ceremonies have been held in major cities across Australia to celebrate the graduation of over 1000 Saudi students from various Australian universities.

The ceremonies were organised in Canberra, Brisbane, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, Wollongong and Adelaide by Saudi Student Clubs, under the supervision of Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM).

A number of Australian education providers who maintain successful partnerships with SACM collaborated on the graduation celebrations.

For the past fifteen years, more than 20,000 Saudi students have completed Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees at Australian educational institutions. Currently over 6,000 Saudi students are pursuing their studies at various levels.

Promotion of human resources development in Saudi Arabia is a prime objective of the King Salman Scholarship Program. This is where Australia has been looked at as one of the preferred destinations, thanks to its renowned higher education system which provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international students. This environment has fostered Saudi students in building their knowledge and to excel in academia and research.

Flinders University PhD student, Ziad Al-harby who achieved three recognized patents in the field of Nanotechnology is one example of a Saudi student who has excelled in his field in Australia. Ebtsam Alenezy is another, who was celebrated this month by RMIT for his breakthrough research which developed an ultra-precise light activated hydrogen sensor. Saudi microbiologist Hussam Ziwawei, who won the prestigious young Laureates award at the Rolex Awards for Enterprise 2014, is another good example.

Australian education quality recognised

Saudi students who graduate from Australian universities have proven to be highly competitive in Saudi job market; thanks to a perceived high level of expertise and exceptional training.

Many Saudi graduates hold distinguished positions in both public and private sectors. Recently, one graduate was appointed as a vice-chancellor for an online Saudi university of 25,000 students.

The achievements of those students marks the success of Saudi government’s vision toward youth in line with “Saudi Vision 2030”, which aims to establish, develop and empower the Saudi industrial and business sectors as alternatives to the oil economy.

But, Saudi students’ engagement with Australian society has gone beyond academic institutions. Many have maintained successful social ties with Australian people.

Having spent seven years in Newcastle University for both his bachelor and master degrees in Business Studies, Abdulrahman Al-Garny couldn’t hold back his tears when farewelling his Australian friends who attended the graduation ceremony.

Al-Garny said Australia has become a second home to him, where he has found good-hearted and supportive friends and colleagues.

These strong ties with the Australian people have been reflected through the initiatives and events that SACM and Saudi Student Clubs have organized in partnership with the Australian community.

In 2020, Saudi students spent more than 5000 hours of volunteering, including visiting hospitalized patients, blood donation and participating in Australian events such as Teacher Day, Clean-Up Australia Day, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“The success in gaining knowledge and expertise cannot be achieved without care and love from people surrounding you. With this unique combination, Australia has successfully posed itself on the top of the preferred destinations for international students”, said Saudi Cultural Attaché to Australia Dr. Hesham Khadawardi.