A shift [albeit small] in Saudi Arabia

There is nothing especially about news of a new university being built - except this one is in Saudi Arabia and will, in many respects, be very "new" [think men and women students together!] is material ways.

The LA Times reports on some surprising apsects of the Arab kingdom and what is planned:

"The kingdom's huge oil reserves cannot mask Saudi Arabia's problems: 40% of its population is younger than 18, its schools are backward and its economy is not diverse enough to compete in a high-tech future balanced between the West and the rising powers of China and India."

And:

"The university, known as KAUST, is promising academic freedom, the mixing of cultures and religions, and subjects as varied as nanotechnology and crop development. The country's ubiquitous and often abusive morality police will not patrol the campus, depicted on the university's interactive website with unveiled women. Going unveiled is a crime in Saudi society that could lead to lashings and imprisonment."

Read the rather fascinating piece, in full, here.

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