College Preparatory Center

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Saudi Aramco's College Preparatory Center (CPC) is where College Degree Program for Non Employees (CDPNE) takes place, a highly selective program run by the Saudi national oil company, Saudi Aramco (established in 1985). It begins with a 10-months and a half program of study at the Industrial Training Center in Dhahran, after which students move on to universities to finish their education.

- In 2003-2004, the admission rate was 1.20%, 148 admitted from a pool of 12,300 qualified applicants. Admitted students receive a salary of SR2500 ($666) for their attendance. Each student is assigned to a Saudi Aramco department related to his concentration of study.

The year in CPC is divided into three trimesters in which students take different subjects according to their level and major. All students take ESL courses, research courses, computer & internet skills courses, library skills courses. All the students also take math or AP calculus preparation. Some students take physics or AP physics preparation, others take Chemistry or AP chemistry preparation, others take macroeconomics or AP macroeconomics preparation, and statistics. Some students take Geology and organic chemistry.

The CPC is divided into departments, headed by the principal (Mr. Mazen Horsler), as follows: Chemistry & Geology Department (Chairman: Dr. Maurice Coogan), Computer Department (Chairman: Dr. Jamil Ahmed), General Studies & English Department (Chairman: Dr. Asistio), Physics Department (Dr. Albasha), Business Department.

- The graduation requirements for CPC are as follows: 1- a TOEFL score of 550 (paper based) or higher, or an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher. 2- a CGPA (Cumulative grade point average) of 2.5 or higher. 3- a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the third trimester.

- All students who pass their first year in CPC are granted a full scholarship to an overseas university, mostly in the United States, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada and Australia, with all expenses covered. Each scholar is given the opportunity to continue graduate studies up to the PhD degree, while receiving a full-time salary after working at least 3 years in the company.

Students are allocated degree paths upon acceptance. There are around 18 degree paths for students to choose from. Most of these degrees relate to Petroleum, Geophysics, and Information and Computer Sciences. These paths are:

• 1- Accounting
• 2- Chemical Engineering
• 3- Computer Engineering (Males only)
• 4- Computer Science
• 5- Software Engineering
• 6- Electrical Engineering
• 7- Chemistry
• 8- Geology
• 9- Geophysics
• 10- Systems Engineering
• 11- Purchasing & Logistics Management (Males only)
• 11- Management Information Systems
• 12- Industrial Chemistry (Males only)
• 13- Supply Chain Management
• 14- Finance
• 15- Mechanical Engineering (Males only)
• 16- Petroleum Engineering
• 17- Industrial Engineering (Males only)
• 18- Human Resource Development

Most of the staff who work in the CPC are from English speaking countries. The style of education mimics some American schools in The United States.

The program was exclusive for Saudi male students until Aramco announced it will give scholarships for female students at summer 2006. At (2006-2007), 251 males and 56 females were accepted in the program.