The Riyad Al Ghussein Education Fund was established in 2011 by Mr Tariq Riyad Al-Ghussein, in honor of his deceased father, following a brief and private visit the latter paid to the country, when he also visited the campus of al-Quds University. Impressed by the newly-developed campus and the vibrant student life there he pledged an annual contribution of $200,000 to help support student fees as well as their exposure to the outside world. He expressed the hope that his contribution will help needy but promising students, especially in the humanities and arts, and especially females, in the pursuit of their degrees; and will also expose students to international academic fora.
Since its inception, the Fund has presented over 200 scholarships to deserving youths to allow them to pursue their higher education studies at al-Quds University and abroad. In cooperation with the Academic Affairs unit at al-Quds University, the Fund co-sponsored joint programs with Erasmus Mundus whereby students from the university spent terms during the academic year at different universities in Europe as part of their studies. The Fund also supported programs at the university where professors from abroad were invited to give courses to university students, or to participate in special academic seminars. Funds were also provided to bring in music experts from abroad to encourage the development of a music program at the university.