Riyadh, May 16 (AFP) Saudi King Abdullah inaugurated today the largest women-only university campus in the ultra-conservative kingdom which applies strict segregation between men and women.

The USD 5.3-billion new campus of Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University, spread over eight million square metres (26 million feet) on the outskirts of the capital, could host up to 50,000 students in its 15 departments.

It is also planned to be a car-free environment, operating a shuttle monorail train and electric buggies for internal transport, while solar panels stretched on the campus will reportedly generate 18 per cent of the power needed for air-conditioning.

The campus also boasts a 700-bed hospital and accommodation facilities that could lodge 12,000 students.

Women at Saudi schools and universities are strictly segregated from men behind high walls and closed gates, while male professors deliver their lectures through video connection.