KING Saud University (KSU) is offering a Bachelor degree in “German for translators” to young Saudis.



Student numbers have been growing permanently. This year again, over 30 young men have signed up for German at KSU.



They will study for five years, two of them dedicated only to German as a foreign language. The best students can spend the second one of those two years in Germany with the help and support of the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE). In 2014, students were going again to Freiburg in southern Germany, one of the most popular destinations for both German and foreign students.



For many years now, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has recognized the importance of the German department by providing grants to students and teachers – and by sending permanent long-stay lecturers from Germany, covering most of their costs.



Since 2009, Mark Rode, an internationally experienced specialist for German as a foreign language, has been teaching German at KSU.



Over 400 German companies active in Saudi Arabia are hoping to find able cultural and linguistic translators to facilitate mutual understanding with their Saudi partners and clients. Thus ambitious Saudis with German skills do not have to worry about employment opportunities.



At Effat University in Jeddah, another DAAD lecturer is helping to also establish German as a subject for interested Saudi female students. Dr. Susanne Karam enjoys her challenging work and is happy to see the growing role of the German language.



Spoken by over a 100 million speakers in four countries in the heart of Europe, it is also a language featuring a rich scientific history and tradition. More than 100 world-class universities in Germany welcome students from all over the world. German scientists were awarded over 100 Nobel Prizes; Germany also offers a great variety of dedicated, top-of-the-class research centers.



KSU is rightly proud to have forged a close collaboration with one of these, the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics. There, Nobel Laureate Prof. Theodor Haensch works with Prof. Dr. Abdallah Azzeer on new laser-technologies. Many other active cooperations with German universities exist: from archaeology to tourism there is a lively exchange of students, professors, knowledge, and ideas.



Start studying German today



The Embassy of the German Federal Republic is very pleased to announce that you can now learn German at the new Goethe Institute at the German International School Riyadh at the Al Boustan Compound.



At the moment, 11 courses at different levels are offered to those who wish to learn German and more about German culture. You can also pass recognized tests there that will help you succeed professionally.



The Goethe language school counts with the support of the German and Saudi government and will hopefully contribute to further foster our mutual relations.



Any adult at any level is welcome. New courses will open as soon as enough students of the same level are interested. The course fee will include books and other study materials. Courses are offered by trained teachers, several of them native speakers and highly motivated. Course usually take place in the evening and are designed to jumpstart your German knowledge through intensive classes that will make you succeed quickly.



So please get to know our activities and German courses. You can contact the Goethe language center via its director, Mr. Walid Soliman — 0531503402; Office: 0112235217



Saudis studying in Germany



About 1,000 Saudis are studying or learning German in Germany itself. With generous support granted by the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP), Saudis study or prepare to study at German universities.



Medicine, engineering, chemistry, and architecture are among the Saudi students’ favorite subjects. The DAAD and the Saudi Embassy’s cultural office in Berlin are providing them with assistance in finding their ways into the renowned universities of Germany. — SG