Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnesses exclusive progress in many fields such as healthy and scientific aspects. College of Medicine has been established in King Saud University in 1387H (1967) under the Royal Decree at the
reign of King Faisal, may Allah bless his soul, under the Cabinet Decree No. 465 dated 9-6-1383H. Actual, study began in 1389H, there were cooperation between the faculty and London University toward the choice of members of Teaching Board and the Supervision of exams till 1399H. The college concluded many agreements with different universities in America, Canada and U.K. to support this academic board in the college and train to graduate Saudi doctors in addition to preparation at higher studies and specialization in different medical disciplines.
In 1394/1395H, the College opened special department for girls and incorporated Prince Talal Hospital (at present King Abdualziz) which was related to the Ministry at health to King Saud University in 1395H. After the contribution of His Excellency for favour of college of Medicine in King Saud University, it’s name changed to become King Abdulaziz University hospital for training the male and female students in the clinical stage. In 1401H corresponding to 1981 (at the twenty fifth anniversary of inauguration of King Saud University), the building of College of Medicine and King Khalid University hospital inaugurated for teaching and health services at Al Dareya road. This led to finding great opportunities of services in the field of education and medical health care.
The college aims at graduating an efficient doctors at the national cadre in addition to providing great health care for society and prompting the progress of medical and scientific research for all sections and specializations of the college especially in fundamental medical sciences (Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology) and preparatory clinical sciences (Medical medicine, Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology). Clinical sciences contain many majors such as (Social Medicine, Internal Disease, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Obstetrics, Anesthesia and Intensive Care). The college also contains center for permanent medical education and high studies center in addition to the research center which includes many scientific and medical research and studies. At the beginning of college, study started on yearly basis until 1398H (1978), then the college applied the system of identified hours (quarterly system) which includes all academic levels. In 1413H, the college applied the yearly study system again until now. The methods of teaching into college include lectures, discussion courses, scientific courses and clinical training.College contains auditory and visual means for the usage of doctors and student equally. College is a founder of joint Council for high medical studies. So it contributed in organizing and setting the activities of continued medical education programs effectively. The college also contains the means of research and the center of medical researches provides the financial support for the projects of different researches. King Abdul Aziz City for Sciences and Technology agreed to finance number of applied researches projects which is the care of advanced researches units. The college also encourages the members of teaching board to participate in conferences and symposiums in and out of the Kingdom in addition to the financial support required for attendance and participation in these conferences.
In conclusion, we thank our progress to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty Crown Prince and His Highness Second Deputy Premier for supporting and encouraging education especially the Medical Education.
Prof. Mussaad M.S. Al-Salman
Dean of Medical College
Supervisor of University Hospitals
