King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2009)

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals جامعة الملك فهد للبترول و المعادن Ǧāmiʿat al-Malik Fahd li-l-Bitrūl wa-l-Maʿādin
KFUPM Logo
Motto	وقل ربي زدني علما Wa-Qul Rabb-ī Zid-nī ʿIlman Say, 'Lord increase my knowledge'
Established	23 September 1963
Type	Public
Rector	Khaled S. Al-Sultan
Academic staff	800+
Undergraduates	7,000+
Postgraduates	500+
Location	Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Campus	Enclosed
Former names	[1] College of Petroleum and Minerals (1963-1975) University of Petroleum and Minerals (1975-1986) King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (1986-Now)
Nickname	Ǧāmiʿat al-Bitrūl
Website	www.kfupm.edu.sa

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM or UPM) (Arabic: جامعة الملك فهد للبترول و المعادن‎, Ǧāmiʿat al-Malik Fahd li-l-Bitrūl wa-l-Maʿādin - short: Arabic: جامعة البترول‎ Ǧāmiʿat al-Bitrūl) is a public university in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Among Saudi universities, it is highest regarded for excellence in its science and engineering programs. It offers some programs that are not offered elsewhere in Saudi Arabia.^[2]

History [edit]

KFUPM was established on 23 September 1963 by a Saudi royal decree as the College of Petroleum and Minerals providing high-level education about petroleum and minerals, two of the most-valuable natural resources in Saudi Arabia.^[1] It was elevated to university status in 1975.^[1] It is named after King Fahd. It was renamed to its current name in 1986.^[1]

Academics [edit]

The medium of instruction in KFUPM is English. However, courses on Islamic studies and Arabic language are taught in Arabic. University offers degrees of Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy. The grading system is the standard 0 to 4.0 scale with classes of:

Admissions [edit]

With an acceptance rate of only 15%, it is the most selective in Saudi Arabia. The university's admission policy applies certain criteria to ensure admissions of the most promising students.^[3] In 2012, the university accepted the best 42% of high school graduates from all over the Kingdom.^[4] comprising 20% for the high school certificate, 30% for the general capabilities test (similar to SAT), and 50% for the collective test performances (test of high school's maths, physics, chemistry, biology and English).

Ranking [edit]

THE - QS World University Rankings ranked KFUPM at 208 amongst the top 300 universities around the world (2012).^[5] In addition, KFUPM was ranked 18 among "QS Top 50 Under 50".^[6] The QS Top 50 Under 50 is a new ranking that lists the leading universities worldwide founded since 1962.^[7] Also it was ranked as one of the best 400 universities around the world according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities ARWU in 2011 and 2012 by Shanghai Jiaotong University.^[8] In 2012, the ARWU ranked the Mathematics subject in top 50 worldwide.^[9]

Accreditation [edit]

All programs of the engineering colleges were evaluated for "Substantial-Equivalency" recognition by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).^[10] They were found substantially equivalent to similar accredited programs in the U.S. The Master of Business Administration offered by the University is accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).^[11] It is the only MBA program to acquire such accreditation nationally. The new trends in accreditation criteria have brought outcome assessment to focus. Accrediting agencies such the ABET, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Computer Science Accreditation Board and the National Architectural Accrediting Board require programs or colleges seeking accreditation to have self-assessment. Industry push and competitive job markets have also contributed to the need for continuous program-quality improvement that focus on student learning and preparation for professional practice after graduation.

Preparatory Year Program (orientation year) [edit]

Preparatory Year Program (Orientation Year) is a mandatory two-semester program for all students admitted to KFUPM before being enrolled in university's regular degree programs. The Preparatory Year Program aims at preparing newly admitted students for their undergraduate studies at the university. It is a non-credit program. A student must select a major by the end of the prep year. Students can be exempted from some courses after passing some promotion exams. Courses include:

• Precalculus Mathematics,
• Orientation English Program: pre-university intensive English Language program with an emphasis on English for Academic Purposes and English for Science and Technology,
• introductory Physical Sciences
• preparatory Computer Science,
• introductory workshop practice and engineering graphics,
• Physical Education,
• and university study skills.

Organization [edit]

Colleges [edit]

College of Engineering Sciences [edit]

Other academic departments [edit]

• Preparatory Year Program^[14]
• Continuing Education Department:^[15] The Department of Continuing Education Programs offers short courses. These courses are designed for engineers, managers, and practitioners who are interested in pursuing further studies in their fields. The courses are open to all applicants who have the desire and the background to participate.
• University Diploma Programs ^[16] offers Diploma Degrees in Accounting, Computer Applications and Marketing.

Rector [edit]

The current Rector of KFUPM is Khaled S. Al-Sultan.^[17]

Previous rectors of KFUPM [edit]

• H.E. Dr. Saleh Ambah
• H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani
• H.E. Dr. Baker Bin Baker
• H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Al Dukhayyil

International Advisory Board [edit]

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals organized the groundbreaking International Advisory Board (IAB) in March 2007. The IAB is composed of senior academic and corporate executives. It is part of the university's long tradition of bringing an international perspective to higher education and research in Saudi Arabia.

IAB members [edit]

• Martin C. Jischke: Chairman International Advisory Board, President Emeritus, Purdue University, Indiana, United States
• Khalid A. Al-Falih: Vice Chairman International Advisory Board, Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco), Saudi Arabia^[18]
• Khaled S. Al-Sultan: Rector of KFUPM
• Andrew Gould: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Schlumberger Limited, U.S.
• Shih Choon Fong: President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; former president of the National University of Singapore, Singapore
• Mohamed Al-Mady: Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Saudi Arabia^[19]
• John Etchemendy: Provost of Stanford University, California, U.S.
• Hugo F. Sonnenschein: President Emeritus and Adam Smith Distinguished Service Professor, University of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• John G. Rice: Vice Chairman, General Electric and President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Technology Infrastructure, U.S.^[20]
• Charles Elachi: Director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), located in Pasadena, California.^[21]
• Olivier Appert: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Institut Francais du Petrole (IFP), France
• Nam Pyo Suh: President of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), South Korea
• Wolfgang A. Herrmann: President, Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM), Germany
• Henry Rosovsky: Lewis P and Linda L Geyser University Professor, Emeritus at Harvard University, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Samir A. Al Baiyat: Secretary of International Advisory Board, and Manager of Research & Innovation Support at KFUPM

Dhahran Techno-Valley [edit]

Dhahran Techno-Valley^[22] is destined to gather national and international research centers in one location. It is expected that outstanding services plus recreational activities will add to the vibrancy and networking amongst tenants in the Valley Community. Academic support from KFUPM is a commitment that can be counted upon. Other leading technological and scientific institutions in the area will also be fully used. The Techno-Valley consist of five entities at the KFUPM Dhahran campus: King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Science Park, The Innovation Center, Consulting Services Center, Technology Business Incubator, and Liaison Office. The valley includes a sixth entity of Sultan Bin AbdulAziz Science & Technology Center (SciTech), located on the shores of the Persian Gulf at nearby Al-Khobar city.

King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Science Park [edit]

Generally referred to as the KASP, the science park was established in 2002 and is located on a 35-hectare site north of the KFUPM campus. The park is closely integrated with the university. With its proximity to the science and engineering colleges, KASP provides considerable interaction between tenant firms and their personnel and university scientists and engineers. At present, Schlumberger,^[23] Ciba, Yokogawa,^[24] Honeywell,^[25] UOP, Baker Hughes^[26] and JCCP have joined the park.

Consulting Services Center [edit]

The Consulting Services Center facilitate the consulting services for the university faculty to serve the industrial community in Saudi Arabia which contributes to their professional development and helps the outside community to resolve problems that require high intellectual and technological background. It is hoped that such interaction contributes to the professional development of the faculty members and to the university by providing practical applications and state-of-the art course content. The interaction would improve quality of research and design projects and would provide more training and employment opportunities for students.

Technology Business Incubator [edit]

The Technology Business Incubator provides a set of logistical, strategic, and operational support for start-up Saudi technology companies and entrepreneurs to help increasing success of their companies. It gives office space and office support services that are designed with technology companies in mind. These services include immediate availability of modular office units, furniture, computers, network, internet connectivity, servers, printers, communication facilities including telephone and fax services, shared reception, secretarial, and support services, meeting facilities, access to business, science, and technology library, and access to cafeteria and leisure facilities.

Liaison office [edit]

The mission of the Liaison Office is to facilitate and promote the University capabilities, expertise and services to the local industries and to be the focal point of contact with the industry/business.

Sultan Bin AbdulAziz Science & Technology Center (SciTech) [edit]

The center is at the corniche of nearby Khobar city on 21,700 m². The buildings area is 14,100 m². It consists of seven main show halls, dealing with different sciences and technologies. There are more than 350 scientific exhibited pieces and the IMAX scientific dome (the only IMAX theater in Saudi Arabia),^[27] the Astronomic Observatory, Educational Unit, Conference Hall, Temporary Exhibitions Hall and Administrative and Services Facilities. The center aims to cultivate the individuals of the Saudi society, especially teenagers, to let them know more about the principles of science, their application, and explanation; it simplifes them by presenting them in an interactive and interesting style, depending on education through entertainment/education through experiment and observation.

Research [edit]

The Research Institute (RI) [edit]

Research at the university can be classified into personal, sponsored, and client-funded. The mission of the RI is to serve the nation by conducting client-driven research and development using university resources. Among its objectives are to serve the nation as a professional problem solver; adapt imported technologies to the Saudi environment; serve the needs of government organizations, local industry, and businesses for research and development; develop local expertise; support graduate and undergraduate programs at KFUPM; and contribute to the high-quality education and training of students.

The technical expertise for applied research available in the RI is focused in its seven centers with their sections/labs.

• Center for Applied Physical Sciences: The Metrology & Standards Section and the Central Analytical Laboratory.
• Center for Communications & Computer Research: Computer Technology, and Communications Technology Sections.
• Center for Economics & Management Systems: Business Incubators, Economic Studies, and Management & Quality Control Sections.
• Center for Engineering Research: Materials, Urban Areas Engineering, Engineering Analysis, Energy Systems Sections, and Material Characterization Laboratory.
• Center for Environment & Water: Water, Environment, and Marine Studies Sections.
• Center for Petroleum & Minerals: Petroleum & Gas Engineering, Petroleum Geology & Geophysics, Minerals Resources, and Remote Sensing Sections.
• Center for Refining & Petrochemicals: Refining, Petrochemicals, and Petrochemical Products Development Sections.

The manpower of the RI as of 1 January 2005 was 258 full-time employees, of whom 53 held PhD degrees, 64 held MS degrees, 50 held BS degrees, and 91 held other credentials. Project teams are typically formed of 35% full-time RI researchers, 25% faculty members, 10% students, and 30% support staff.

Library [edit]

^[28] The library, centrally located in Building 8 and a short walk from most classrooms and laboratories, has an available floor space of nearly 7,000 square meters. It is an "open-stack" library, allowing users free access to its resources. Reading areas are on the first, third, and fourth floors. To encourage maximum usage, it operates with a minimum of regulations and restrictions.

The current collection of books and bound periodicals totals over 328,000 volumes, 32% in science, 21% in engineering, 24% in humanities, and 23% in social sciences. It has over 23,000 volumes in Arabic and over 300,000 volumes in English and subscribes to approximately 1,500 periodicals. In addition, there are some 490,000 research reports on microfiche and 63,000 documents in other media, including more than 25,000 educational films and 38,000 reels of journal back issues on microfilm. Audiovisual materials are provided through a well-equipped audio-visual (AV) department with a collection consisting principally of motion pictures, filmstrips, videotapes, and audio cassettes. These AV materials can be used in the library auditorium which is also used for seminars, lectures, short courses, theses defense, and other presentations.

Collaborations [edit]

• Center for Clean Water and Clean Energy at MIT and KFUPM.^[29]
• Collaboration with Earth Sciences Department Stanford University.

Campus life [edit]

Students clubs [edit]