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About KFUPM - Climate
Those who have not lived in Dhahran may be apprehensive of the climate, but, in fact, most of the usual September through June teaching year is quite pleasant. The year-round climate is similar to Palm Springs, California or Phoenix, Arizona (USA). For eight months of the year, the weather is delightful with most days characterized by nearly cloudless skies, constant sunshine, and temperatures ranging from briskly cool to comfortably warm. In winter, light jackets are sometimes necessary. The months of June through September are usually extremely hot, but every campus building and housing unit is air-conditioned.
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) was officially established by Royal Decree on 5 Jumada I, 1383 H. (23 September 1963). The first students were admitted a year later, on 23 September 1964, when 67 young men enrolled in what was then the College of Petroleum and Minerals (CPM). Since that time, the University enrollment has grown to 6500 students in 1994-95 and is expected to reach the 7000 level by 1995-96.
Several significant events have marked the University's growth. In 1971, at the first graduation ceremony, four men received their baccalaureate degrees in engineering; since that time, more them 8575 degrees have been awarded. In 1975, the College of Petroleum and Minerals became the University of Petroleum and Minerals, a change both in name and academic status. In 1986, the University was renamed: The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
The successful management of Saudi Arabia's vast petroleum and mineral resources poses a complex and exciting challenge for scientific, technical, and management education in the Kingdom.
To meet this challenge, the University has adopted advanced training in the fields of science, engineering, and management as one of its goals in order to promote leadership and service in the Kingdom's petroleum and mineral industries. The University also furthers knowledge through research in these fields.