King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
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King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (abbreviated as KFUPM or UPM)(Arabic:جامعة الملك فهد للبترول و المعادن - short:(جامعة البترول) is a public university in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It was established on 23 September, 1963 by a Saudi Royal Decree as the "College of Petroleum and Minerals," providing high-level education about two of the most valuable natural resources in Saudi Arabia. It was not given the university status until 1975.
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History
The first students were admitted a year later, on 23 September 1964, when 67 young men enrolled in what was then the College of Petroleum and Minerals (CPM). Since then, the university has grown rapidly, reaching its 10,000 student mark in 2003-2004. Various fields of science, engineering and management were introduced gradually during this period, making the university one of the most renowned universities in the Middle East, and the leader of its kind in Saudi Arabia.
General information
Unlike the nearby King Faisal University (KFU), the KFUPM is a male only university. Its acceptance rate is 15%, making it among the two toughest to get into in Saudi Arabia (excluding the College Preparatory Center), the other being KFU. Among Saudi universities, KFUPM is highest regarded for its excellence in the science and engineering programs. The business and management programs in the university are also on the top in the middle east. The university offers some programs that are not offered anywhere else in Saudi Arabia; such as petroleum engineering, aeronautical engineering, and geophysics. The university mathematics programs are very reputed.
Campus
The university campus is quite unique when compared to other Saudi universities. Buildings are built on the top of Dhahran's rocky hills, making them visible from Khobar. The campus is bounded by Dhahran Main Camp in the northeast, and King Abdul Aziz Airbase in the northwest. (needs to be verified)
The university old dormitories (called "houses") were originally built by Aramco for its laborers seemingly in the '50s and were then turned over to be used by the students at the then College of Petroleum and Minerals. These building are still used despite a number of safety issues. Relatively newer dorms (called "towers") are used as well, but mainly for those in junior and senior years, and also other students if rooms are available. All dorms are inside the campus. The housing fee is $80/month for either dorms, which is considered extremely cheap compared to US universities.
The university faculty are eligible for housing in a separate area inside the campus. It is quite similar to Saudi Aramco's housing in the Main Camp but of a smaller scale and lower quality.
Academia
The orientation year is mandatory to all Saudi students before being truly admitted to the university, with some exceptions. In the oriea, only math, intensive English, and workshop courses are given. Those who pass the oriea, or are exempted from it, become full students. That is, they become eligible for some student services they were not eligible for before. It is notable, to compare this university to the rest of Saudi universities, that students failing the orientation year often go to other Saudi university such as King Saud U. or King Abdul Aziz U., and do actually graduate and earn a degree smoothly. A student must select a major by the end of the orientation year. The GPA of that year does, to some extent, affect the choices he may have, for example, the engineering and science programs have high GPA requirement, whereas other majors are open to those who have somewhat lower GPA's. After the orientation year, the education system in the university is generally identical to that of American universities.
Colleges
KFUPM has five main colleges:
- College of Sciences
- College of Engineering Sciences
- College of Computer Science & Engineering
- College of Industrial Management
- College of Environment Design
Additionally, there are three more community colleges located in Dammam, Hafr Al-Batin and Hail. Recently Damman community college was innaugurated by King Abdullah.
Facts about KFUPM
- The current Rector of KFUPM is Dr. Khaled S. Al-Sultan.
- The main language of instruction in KFUPM is English. However, a few, including courses discussing Islam and the Arabic language – many of which are considered university requirements – are usually taught in Arabic.
- The grade point average (GPA) scale in KFUPM is out of 4.0.
- KFUPM, like many other Saudi universities, sponsors its graduates who showed academic excellence to continue their postgraduate studies out of Saudi Arabia. The impression of many more recent graduates that this is less so than in previous years.
Majors and fields of study
- College of Applied Engineering Sciences
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- College of Computer Science & Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Information & Computer Science
- Software Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- College of Sciences
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Energy Research Center
- Islamic & Arabic Studies
- Mathematical Sciences
- Physics
- College of Industrial Management
- Accounting & MIS
- Finance & Economics
- Management & Marketing
- College of Environmental Design
- Architecture
- Architectural Engineering
- City & Regional Planning
- Construction, Engineering & Management
Tuition
Like all Saudi public universities, there is no tuition and all students who maintain a good standing status (GPA > 1.75/4.0) receive 1000 Saudi Riyals (266 US Dollars) as a monthly allowance. Housing is available in shared rooms of two students for about 1000 SAR a semester for every student.
Notable alumni
- Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer: President under the Iraqi Interim Government and current Vice President of Iraq.
Terrorist incident
In the late 1990's, a terrorist cell used the campus to launch a SAM missile at a USAF F-16 fighter. The pilot managed to perform an emergency landing at Dhahran. An investigation revealed another SAM buried at the campus.