Bismarck State College continues contract with Saudi Arabia

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Bismarck State College will continue its partnership with Saudi Arabia to provide energy sector training despite international condemnation of the slaying of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the school's president said.

President Larry Skogen on Tuesday called Khashoggi's death concerning, but said the school will maintain its agreement with the Saudi government to train youth at the National Power Academy in Dammam, the Bismarck Tribune reported.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi kingdom, died Oct. 2 at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Saudi officials have claimed that the writer's death was accidental, but Turkish officials allege the killing was planned.

The Saudi narrative of what happened to Khashoggi shifted on Thursday, as Saudi prosecutors said that Turkish evidence shows the slaying was premeditated.

"We just have to watch carefully as these things unfold and whatever lead the United States and federal government, who's in charge of foreign policy, whatever they're doing," Skogen said.

The college launched the program in September after months of negotiations. Bismarck State signed a five-year contract to provide curriculum and training to male high school graduates in Saudi Arabia, which is estimated to generate about $20 million for the school.

Skogen said the college received a $500,000 prepayment this fall and will receive its first quarterly payment in December.

The college aims to enroll about 200 students at the National Power Academy this year.

"We're focused on educating the youth that we've been contracted to educate," Skogen said.

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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com