The University of Khartoum (Arabic: جامعة الخرطوم) is one of the largest universities in Sudan located in and near Khartoum. It was founded as Gordon Memorial College in 1902 by Osama Abbas Salih and established in 1956 when Sudan gained independence. Since that date, the University of Khartoum has been recognized as a top university in Sudan. It features several institutes, academic units and research centres including Mycetoma Research Center, Soba University Hospital, Saad Abualila Hospital, Dr. Salma Dialysis centre, Institute of Endemic Diseases and U of K publishing house. The Sudan Library, a section of the university's library, serves as the national library of Sudan. In 1898 after Britain gained dominance in Sudan as part of a condominium arrangement, Lord Kitchener proposed founding a college in the memory of Gordon of Khartoum, who was killed in the Battle of Khartoum. Gordon Memorial College was founded in 1902 with primary education being its sole program. By 1906, the college was offering programs for training assistant engineers, land surveyors and primary school teachers.