By Amal Al-Saeed

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Tariq Al-Ahmari, spokesman of University Education, said that the Ministry of Education has placed 9,045 beds at the disposal of the Ministry of Health (MoH) in 6,000 rooms and suites spreading over 77 buildings.

These are meant for medical isolation within the campuses of 20 universities as reserve, and to be used in the event of coronavirus spreading further, he said.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, the spokesman said that the ministry has made available six hospitals with a capacity of around 3,000 beds as part of its national efforts to combat the pandemic.

Al-Ahmari said the ministry will continue the distance education process for all phases of education, including diploma, Master’s and doctoral degrees, in accordance with the academic calendar approved by the Council of Ministers.

“More than 133 Master’s and doctoral theses have been discussed remotely in Saudi universities during the current period after suspension of studies at schools and universities.

The content on the university portals reached 1.42 million and its active users reached 993,000, and viewers of files displayed on the university portals reached a daily average of six million,” he said.

He noted that the ministry is continuously following up with universities to ensure the fairness of the measures taken regarding the exams in the current exceptional situation so as to facilitate a fair and integrated conclusion of the semester.

Regarding the foreign scholarship students, Al-Ahmari said that they account for a total of 92,893 people, including 59,658 male and female students, and 33,235 companions.

“The Saudi cultural attachés in foreign countries are following up on all developments pertaining to scholarship students. The minister of education has issued instructions to cancel the requirement for distance education hours for scholarship students for the current semester,” he said.

He added that an option was also available for scholarship students to postpone the current academic semester if the competent authorities make an announcement about the possibility of their returning to the Kingdom so as to ensure the safety of these students.

Al-Ahmari thanked all university officials, academic faculty members as well as students for their distinguished efforts in continuing the educational process, saying that “education connects you in your homes and we wish you permanent safety.”