Saudi University Faces Down Religious Establishment, Promotes Serious Science

The National Newspaper:

In a bustling harbour just north of Jeddah one recent morning, a white 27-metre diving yacht was nosing its way slowly toward the open Red Sea. It was a gorgeous blue day, and the marina was teeming with families -- young boys running around in swimming trunks; girls clustered at the margins, garbed from head to toe in black. Saudi youths on jetskis were swarming around the yacht, using its wake to launch themselves in the air and perform various tricks. The boat's passengers, however, were absorbed in somber discussion.

Read the whole story: The National Newspaper

Comments

[MarcusT]

Rather fortuitous timing. After years of planning they come on-line just as the Western world's economic and cultural influence begins to sink beyond the horizon. The exporting countries in the ME hold twice the dollar reserves as China. And as they come together the world will change direction.

[MosheDayanHero]

re."just as the Western world's economic and cultural influence begins to sink beyond the horizon."

Nice addition to Sheherezade's One Thousand and One Nights fairytale.
Henceforth will be called "One Thousand and Two Nights"

[MarcusT]

China and the NE exporters have complete control of the US economy and be relation the EU. Complete.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

It's a good thing, that unlike backward Muslim nations, America never has a problem with religious fanatics trying to shoehorn their supernatural beliefs into serious science classes.

[Albert Amato]

This is wonderful news. Islamic countries throughout history have been the center of education, culture and science and only in modern times have they fallen behind due to poverty and fighting amongst each other and colonialism. This oil rich region with huge financial wealth now should be more progressive and at least be a counter to Iran's export of terror and hegemony.

[Horst]

What ,no more "world is flat" fatwas?

[Albert Amato]

Be careful what you wish for, Horst. :-))

[MosheDayanHero]

"Islamic countries throughout history have been the center of education, culture and science."
Not through out its history.
Only during a few centuries during the imperialist expansion era.
As soon as imperialist expansion slowed, Islamic civilization became highly insular.
This trend has only slightly abated in the last half-a century or so.

[Lutfi]

For me who have worked in Saudi Arabia in the 80's , I'm very happy for them as everyone complain about hard line religious view, maybe we should out law them all over the world , for we have them here in the US person who have the same opinion as due some person have in SA or Israel , one should not close the mind, for if you do the heart goes next, and after that you know what comes
next . we should all work together and encourage each other of improving higher education all over the world and especially in the Middle East for how are we going to expect in improving relation if we don't improve education, very glad for his highness king Abdullah for taken this step, we want to see more in all of the Arab country .

[Paula Ann]

it is very encouraging that HRH Abdullah, a man in his 80's, is encouraging progress many times facing stiff opposition from the ulema.

[mamacat]

This is potentially earth shaking news.
While the West was suffering in it's Dark Ages, the Middle East was flourishing as an area where science was encouraged, and Jews were protected. At that time also, China and India were world leaders in science, culture, and philosophy.
We have seen today the effects of colonialism and what happens when religous fundamentalism triumphs over science and common sense. This new university may, hopefully, be an important step out of the dark ages for the Middle East.

[Rog49Thomas]

Hmm, KAUST faces down the religious establishment so the headline says.

Here's an article from Saturday's AlRiyadh newspaper (Saudi Arabia) with quotes from various Islamic religious scholars saying what a splendid idea KAUST is and how it's every Muslim's duty to learn science.
Two fairly senior chaps at AlAzhar,

http://www.alriyadh.com/2009/10/17/article466919.html

Oh, those pesky close minded sheikhs!

[alexa07]

Thanks Rog, for the voice of reason among the usual axes to grind!

[Durango]

Smart move. i have long thought that for the developing world the number one economic development plan would be to open up a first class engineering school.

Like India has .

Now if the Saudis would endow Pakistani schools instead of Madrassas we might be getting some place.

[iridium53]

Wahhabism and Science together in Saudi Arabia.
A major step forward for the Saudi people.

I wonder if they'll include flight training in the curriculum.

[hanoum]

Well, they might practice right in Riyadh:

http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/79/96379-004-BADCACC3.jpg

[OldHick]

It is the standard operating mode of science in the US to default to chalkboard instruction, unless there is a political move for actual advancement. What is the political move in Saudi Arabia? The Saudis control through their religion - so what is this? Propaganda? Marketing? going nuclear? I would like to see the Saudis develop renewable energy by showing the world how to do it with shallow reservoirs, and microorganisms. Yeah - a worthy investment..

[tiredofthesameoldstuff]

Well the Saudis know the oil is running out. The oil companies have known for a long time that the oil supply is limited and is running out. Instead of course wanting the countries to go to another energy source that is cleaner and in the long run far cheaper then oil the oil companies want to rape the countries out of trillions of dollars before that happens.

It reminds me of the company from the Show Better off Ted in which the company had developed a car engine that got 400 miles to the gallon and intended to release it when the price of oil had risen to a hundred dollars.

[MosheDayanHero]

there's a centuries old delusion in Islamic world that essentually states that the way to catch up and/or defeat the West is to asopt certain, narrowly defined aspect of Western culture and run with it. Update it has been copying various military organizational and operational strategies, occasionally some engineering, form of dress and cultural artifacts. While this institution is a good start, this will not help Saudi society get out of 16th century doldrums.

[lj9283]

It would be nice if the U.S. could get religious fanaticism out of it's educational system so that we do not disadvantage American children as technology advances.

[MosheDayanHero]

Beside displaying typically American self-preoccupation, do you actually have anything to say on subject of the thread?

[DC]

Hi comment was related. KSA is actively taking steps to quash religious fanaticism and ignorance control over education. There is keen recognition what this has done to keep development down and too much of the population ignorant and therefore, brainwashed. this long term problem. It is tacked with education.

The US, unfortunately, has opened the doors for religious fanaticism to even control curricula, even at the university level. Case in point: Biology professors at some state universities must first acknowledge that not all students must accept theories of evolution.

Kaust, is even more fee in this than some US Universities!

[kylennblack]

It's a step in the right direction.

However if I want to get an advanced degree from a foreign school there are excellent universities in safe countries where I won't get beaten to a pulp if I don't have a scarf on my head.

Pass.

[RaWash]

i think it's a safe bet that they're building it for themselves not so you can join, good luck with that degree though..

[Durango]

That is not at all what I took from the article.

The faculty and students are "drawn from all over the world."

There is an inherent conflict within Saudi Arabia between the modernization necessary to be the worlds biggest oil producer and one of the wealthiest countries on earth, and being the protectors of the Sacred Sites in Mecca and Medina.

This is a push towards the modernization side of the equation.

By the King no less.

I will take this as a good sign. A very good sign.

P.S. I doubt you would be in any more danger than going to school in say, New York City or Chicago. I understand the crime rate is very low.

[kylennblack]

They've been actively trying to draw staff and students from all over the world. They want internationals.

I've seen articles and ads about KAUST in Scientific American and other science and technology magazines for the past few years.

[DC]

The students are not required to wear a scarf. Did you read the article?

[lglglg]

I get the impression that KAUST is less about basic research than applied technology. Very often, advances in technology have to wait for basic research to happen first. Thus, Saudi Arabia may find that it has entered into a KAUSTian bargain!

[unclelew]

If only the profs at Liberty were this brave.

[MosheDayanHero]

Brave to do what? Get a higher salary and guaranteed research fund? Non-tenured profs had to be brave for that?!
Because no tenured prof from U.S. would ever accept this contract.

[MarcusT]

Slip sliding away.

[peterg76]

It's a start.

[MosheDayanHero]

Positive step in the right direction. Congratulations to the people of Saudi Arabia.
Only comment: No Internet on campus?!!