Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal is Chairman of AOU Board of Trustees succeeding late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz

02 May 2019

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Open University (AOU), stressed on the leading role of Kuwait in promoting Arab joint action and the achievements of Kuwait in the areas of development and national construction. HRH Prince Abdulaziz expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his ongoing support to education that has been given top priority in national, Arab and international action.

This came in a press statement on the sidelines of the meeting of the AOU Board of Trustees recently held in Kuwait where HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal was nominated as Chairman of the Board succeeding the AOU founder, his late father Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Abdulaziz said, " from the land of Kuwait which is so dear to our hearts, where we meet today, I am pleased to express my deep gratitude to all public and private bodies in Kuwait that have supported the AOU driven by their belief in the AOU's role in serving the community and meeting its needs."

He pointed out Kuwait has historically played a pivotal role in the establishment and development of the AOU through hosting its headquarters and providing it with every facility and support, which reflected in the success of the AOU in qualifying its graduates to effectively participate in local and Arab labor markets.

Prince Abdulaziz and all the members of the AOU Board of Trustees also extended their sincere thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for supporting the AOU and its centers in the Kingdom, and hosting the headquarters of the Arab Gulf Development Program (AGFUND).

Prince Abdulaziz also emphasized the importance of the AOU's achievements and successes in parallel with its noble mission and the vision of its founder Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz to be an Arab university for all Arab young people, particularly for those who are not able to pursue their higher education due to their financial, social and geographical circumstances.

He added, "the AOU has become a reality and a unique figure in the world of higher education as well as one of the important drivers of comprehensive development in the communities of Arab countries." "The AOU is a manifestation of Arab unity in science and knowledge and a dream comes true in partnership with the Open University, UK." as described by its founder.

On the most important issues discussed by the Board, he said that this is the first meeting that I preside over after the departure of the late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz. He wished all further success in completing efforts of his late father and the Board members as well as all AOU staff.

He pointed out the meeting addressed the educational process in the University and its work plans, and it reviewed the annual reports of the AOU branches in addition to discussing a number of the agenda topics and issues. He stressed on the continuity of the AOU on the policy of its founder.

It is worth mentioning that the AOU Board of Trustees comprises an elite of prominent figures and experts from all Arab countries, and the late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz was its chairman. The AOU was launched in 2002 in Kuwait under the umbrella of AGFUND, which was established in 1980 at the initiative of the late Prince Talal and supported by leaders of the GCC countries to work in the field of development at the international level and in partnership with the United Nations, regional development organizations and public institutions as well as private and civil society organizations.

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