King Abdulaziz University and Ma’aden Barrick Sign Cooperation Agreement to Support the Mining Sector

King Abdulaziz University, represented by the Faculty of Earth Sciences, has signed a cooperation agreement with Ma’aden Barrick Copper Company (MBCC). The agreement aims to enrich the academic and professional experience of the Faculty’s students and contribute to Earth Sciences research in service of the Kingdom’s mining sector, in alignment with Vision 2030 and the requirements of the labor market.

The agreement was signed by Prof. Bader bin Abduh Hakami, Dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, on behalf of the University, and Engineer Saad Al-Qahtani, General Manager of Ma’aden Barrick Copper Company, on behalf of the company.

The agreement covers several key areas, including offering annual training programs for Earth Sciences students, such as summer internships and cooperative training, as well as providing employment opportunities for graduates.

It also sets out collaboration between the two parties in mining research and development, making use of the Faculty’s research capabilities, in addition to providing technical data and maps to support exploration programs. One of the notable provisions of the agreement is Ma’aden Barrick Copper’s commitment to fund and equip an educational computer laboratory at the Faculty.

Prof. Bader bin Abduh Hakami, Dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, emphasized that the agreement represents a qualitative leap in linking academic education with labor market requirements. He added that it will provide students with opportunities to apply their theoretical knowledge and gain hands-on experience in the vital mining sector, thereby helping to prepare future leaders.

For his part, Engineer Saad Al-Qahtani, General Manager of Ma’aden Barrick Copper Company, stated that the signing of the agreement stems from the company’s firm belief in the importance of investing in young national talent. He noted that the partnership will strengthen cooperation between the University and the company, enhance the Kingdom’s mining sector, and contribute to achieving the objectives of Vision 2030 by qualifying a new generation of Saudi professionals.