RMU Welcomes Saudi Arabian Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz

Robert Morris University received a royal visit from Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia toured the Moon Township campus before speaking to a gathering of students, faculty and guests.

Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, the second son of the crown prince of Saudi Arabia,
is in Pittsburgh for the opening of the "Roads of Arabia" exhibition at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. He said the exhibit, which opens Saturday, will give a new dimension to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This is his third visit to Pittsburgh and first visit to Robert Morris. 

"This is the first time for many, many years that I felt like I really wanted to go back and be a student," Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz said to laughter.

According to the university, about 150 Saudi students are working on a degree at Robert Morris, and Saudi Arabia is the number one country of origin for international students at RMU. 

The American Middle East Institute in Pittsburgh recommended that the prince visit RMU because of the large number of Saudi students enrolled at Robert Morris.

After speaking, Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz exchanged gifts with Gregory G. Dell'Omo, president of Robert Morris University. 

Saudi students dressed in traditional flowing garments waited in excitement to  meet the prince afterward. 

Abdulqader Salamah, a junior studying IT computer information, said the visit energized him to continue striving for success, which includes one day getting his master's degree and eventually his PhD. 

"It's been awhile since we saw someone this important come to visit us," Salamah said. "To see a prince from the same region we come from is encouraging." 

Freshman student Abdulrahman Najdi was getting his photo taken with Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz when the prince jokingly ruffled his curly locks, producing laughter from the crowd. 

"I haven't handshaked a prince in my life, and now I handshake and he touched my hair," said Najdi, who is studying biomedical engineering.

The president and chairman of the Board of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, the prince said he was proud to show Saudi Arabia's history, heritage, and culture from a new perspective. 

"We're very proud to be here showing a glimpse of what Saudi Arabia is about," he said.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America have a longstanding relationship dating back to the 1930s, when American businessmen first travelled to the Kingdom to help develop the country’s natural resource.

Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz holds the distinction of being the first Arab, Muslim, and member of royalty to fly into space, serving among the international crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery, June 17 to June 24, 1985.

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