Saudi allows NEET exam centre in Riyadh for Indian students
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Dammam: Indian students interested in pursuing a career in medicine will be able to participate in the NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test) - India's most prestigious Medical Entrance Examination - at the centre in Riyadh for the first time.
Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, a Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award winner and entrepreneur, said this will be recorded as the best development of all time. He played a key role in influencing authorities to allow a NEET examination centre in Saudi Arabia.
The efforts made to make this possible last year did not succeed due to technical issues.
Dr. Siddeek said he appreciates the authorities who made a NEET centre possible this time. He had communicated with the Indian Ambassador and requested immediate intervention in this matter. The entrepreneur is hopeful that more centres will be allowed in various parts of Saudi in upcoming years.
Out of 224 boys and 77 girls, 301 students have registered for the NEET exam this year. As Covid-related travelling restrictions are being lifted, many students went to India for the exam.
In Saudi, every year there are about 1200 students who write the senior secondary exam in science stream subjects. The lion's share of them is dependent on the NEET exam for their further education. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is being conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education for admission into government-approved courses in India.
The Students of Saudi Schools perform exceedingly well and always maintained the legacy of passing the board exams with flying colors. It is expected that the new development will pave the way for a larger number of students to prepare and attend the exam while continuing to stay with their families. It will be a leap in the higher education sector.
Dr. Siddeek appreciated the sincere efforts made by former Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, who was successful in bringing this issue to the attention of the Minister of Education in India and the Saudi Education authorities.
Various socio-cultural organizations in Saudi Arabia and parents also intervened to prompt authorities to consider the centre in the country.
Siddeek emphasized this as a collective victory of all Indian expatriates. He added that when the children complete the NEET exam at the Riyadh International School center on Sunday, it will be written in the history of Saudi expats.
