UCD grad creates women's program in Saudi Arabia

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DENVER – Zuhair Fayez credits all his success as one of the top architects in Middle East to his education at the University of Colorado Denver.

Now, he wants to give the same chance to students, who not too long ago were not allowed to attend school – women.

"Why women? I think because it's probably hardest," said Fayez, a UCD graduate. "And, if you can succeed there, we can succeed anywhere."

Fayez is the founder of Dar Al-Hekma College in Saudi Arabia. It is the first-ever private women's college in that country. Now, he wants to create an architecture and planning program modeled after the one at UCD.

Dr. Mark Gelernter is the dean of the College of Architecture and Planning for UCD. He welcomes a partnership with the Saudi Arabian school.

"To help them envision what design education would be in their context to meet the standards of American accreditation," he said.

Fai Aldossary grew up in Saudi Arabia. She came to UCD to study electrical engineering. She says the culture in her homeland is changing, thanks in large part to emerging programs like the one at Dar Al-Hekma.

"I'm delighted that we have something like that in our country," said Aldossary. "I think we have a lot of talented women in Saudi Arabia that would love to get involved in that field."

Fayez says this will help fill the need for more women in top design jobs in the Middle East. He says right now his country can only graduate a total of 2,000 people in those industries. Most of them still men.

"The demand of all fields, engineering and architecture, is huge," said Fayez. "This is one of the reasons why this is a very important program to have."

Fayez is the chairman for the board of trustees for Dar Al-Hekma while serving on the advisory council for UCD. He says he wants to a build a campus setting that's more than just lectures. He wants to build an environment similar to ones on American campuses.

"Fifty percent of my education was outside the classroom," said Fayez. "Which is extremely important. Not the classroom activity and the content, but also the competitiveness."

Starting in the fall, UCD and the new architecture students at Dar Al-Hekma will be involved in a competition. Students from Colorado will design affordable housing projects for Saudi Arabia. Students there will do the same for Colorado. The goal is to help people from both countries understand how each side lives.

Aldossary says programs like this are good for the continuing evolution of her society.

"I'm more than happy to check it out as soon as I go back home," said Aldossary. "Maybe, I might get some education over there, a degree or something."