The announcement of the establishment of Prince Sultan University took place during a ceremony held in the presence of Prince Sultan, where it was declared the establishment of the first non-profit private college in Saudi Arabia as a gift to His Highness Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz upon his return from the medical treatment journey in 1998.
The founder, King Salman, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, was instrumental in establishing PSU when he was the Governor of Riyadh Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Al-Riyadh Philanthropic Society for Science (RPSS).
Shawal, 1418 AH, corresponding to 1998 AD
The announcement of the establishment of Prince Sultan University (formerly Prince Sultan College) as the first private non-profit university in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Rabi’ althani, 1419 AH, corresponding to 1998 AD
The Ministry of Higher Education has provided the license for establishing Prince Sultan College as the first private college in the Kingdom.
Jemad althani, 1419 AH, corresponding to 1998 AD
The first Board of Trustees has been established and His Highness Prince Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayaf is the chairman.
Thu’lHijjah, 1419 AH, corresponding to 1998 AD
Studying at the college has commenced.
1419/1420 AH, corresponding to 1999/2000 AD
The first batch was admitted in the college (now Prince Sultan University) to study in the preparatory year and students are around 152 taught by 22 faculty members.
Launching & Inauguration
Shabaan, 1421 corresponding to 2001, Prince Sultan College (now Prince Sultan University) was honored in the presence of the presence of Prince Sultan who inaugurated the College.
On that occasion, the founder who initiated the idea of establishing a private college, the Governor of Riyadh Region – who at that time “the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques now, King Salman bin Abdulaziz” -- delivered a speech in which he expressed his feelings and the feelings of the people of Riyadh about their love and gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Sultan, may Allah have mercy on him. That love and gratitude prompted the citizens of Riyadh led by his Highness the Governor of Riyadh and “the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques now” to establish a college under his name.
The following is the speech of the Governor of Riyadh at the launch of the college:
Praises be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Him
Your Royal Highness,
Dear Guests,
Your Royal Highness, I am neither an author nor a poet
I am flooded with feelings
You loved and you were loved
You honored and you were honored
You respect and you were respected
It is not strange that you sponsor charity work in public and private
I have said before that “Sultan is a charity in himself"
So, Your Royal Highness,
It is not strange that your own countrymen established this college (university) under your name
And there is no doubt that you will sponsor it and support it by all means
So, Your Royal Highness,
Many thanks and gratitude to you from your own countrymen for what you have done
They have great faith in you
and you are great indeed your Royal Highness
Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.
Contributor’s Speech
On that occasion, Eng. Khalid Bin Musaad Al-Saif also delivered a speech on behalf of the contributors. In his speech, he regarded Prince Sultan College as an effective representation of the coherence between the men of this country and its leaders. He pointed out that it was the governor’s idea to establish this College as a way to express the love that Riyadh people have toward Prince Sultan. He also stated in an indirect way that this idea reflects King Salman’s concerns (formerly, the governor of Riyadh) about the youth of this country and his awareness of the importance of education and the importance of providing the opportunity for the private sector to contribute in this field.
1421-1422 AH corresponding to 2000-2001
His Royal Highness, Prince Sultan, issued directives to transfer Prince Sultan Private College to Prince Sultan University.
His Royal Highness issued directives to develop scientific programs on the men’s campus at the Colleges of Computer Science and Information Systems, Finance, Accounting and Marketing.
The Growth Phase
1422-1424 corresponding to 2001-2003
Riyadh’s Prince back then (the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdualaziz) and the chairman of the management of Riyadh Philanthropic Society for Science directed the establishment of the Women’s college.
Ministry of Higher Education approved the establishment of the Women’s College.
first batch of female students (119 students) were admitted and went through preparatory year study program.
the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahad bin Abdulaziz- may he rest in peace – approved the Higher Education’s Council decision to raise PSC to the status of a university.
Computer Science and Information Systems degree programs are open to women students
Co-Operative learning program was designed to prepare university graduates for the labor market was activated as part of the degree requirements
first batch male students graduated in 2003
The picture above shows the graduation ceremony of the first batch of 22 graduates of Prince Sultan University in 2003-2004. It was under the auspices and honor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz when he was the Governor of Riyadh Region. This is a clear evidence of King Salman's interest in this university which he put the first seed and sponsored it until it reached its current status. King Salman continued the graduation of successive batches of the university students and was not distracted by the great responsibilities even when he was crown prince.
Past & Present Presidents of Prince Sultan University
A Look Back At Prince Sultan University Leaderships.
