The UQU Vice President, Prof. Farid bin Ali Al-Ghamdi, asserted that the pioneering experiment of distance education has succeeded, according to the statistics. This success has been achieved first with Allah's favor and then with the efforts exerted by the sincere staff members working on our educational system, starting from the leader of the educational system, His Excellency the Minister of Education, Dr. Hamad bin Muhammad Aal Al-Sheikh, then all the members of this system which is characterized with constant improvement and a continuous search for different methods of success. All parties provide everything that achieves the advancement of the educational level in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the creation of an educational system which keeps pace with the aspirations and plans of the blessed Saudi Vision. This has been implemented with the support and attention given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Aal Saud, and the Crown Prince and Founder of the Saudi Vision, His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman Aal Saud (may Allah safeguard them).

Prof. Al-Ghamdi added that the announcement of the academic calendar (1443 A.H.) by the Minister of Education is considered to be a new step that emphasizes the keenness and sincere willingness to achieve development. In addition, we aspire to achieve a successful experiment that reflects and fulfills the set objectives, hoping for concerted efforts and positive interaction with this step and aiming to raise the efficiency of the educational process, according to the best international practices. Moreover, we seek to improve the results of the students and to develop their skills in a manner that is in line with the themes and strategic goals of the Saudi Vision 2030.

Prof. Al-Ghamdi stated that the three-semester academic calendar is considered to be an opportunity to develop the students' skills and to raise the academic productivity of the students through the various academic programs offered and the courses added to the different phases of general education. The announced calendar serves as extended workshops aiming to refine the students' knowledge and to discover their hidden capacities at all levels. In addition, this calendar will increase the training opportunities in general and will offer our dear students with special needs intensive and extended programs during the academic year in order to enable them to be active members of the society. Prof. Al-Ghamdi also pointed out that the most important advantage of the three-semester educational system is the change and development of the educational curricula in line with the new division of the academic year. Accordingly, this will reflect positively on the quality of the educational content, which will be reflected on the quality of the educational output in addition to the good results which we hope our students will achieve in the international tests. The aim is to prove to the entire world the efficiency and successful outputs of our educational experiment.

Prof. Farid Al-Ghamdi pointed out that the goals of university education are no different from those intended in this experiment and that Umm Al-Qura University always keeps pace with any process that aims to raise the level of educational productivity. Prof. Al-Ghamdi added that Umm Al-Qura University has started to restructure its bachelor's and postgraduate programs in all the colleges and departments in order to lead the other universities with regard to seizing the opportunity, applying the three-semester system, and creating advanced plans and programs in line with the changes taking place in general education. In addition, Umm Al-Qura University seeks to achieve integration between general and university education, which will be positively reflected on the fulfillment of the labor market's requirements for graduates. Finally, Prof. Farid Al-Ghamdi stated that the sincere determination shown by the Ministry of Education under the leadership of the Minister of Education, His Excellency Dr. Hamad bin Muhammad Aal Al-Sheikh, and the Deputy Minister, Dr. Muhammad Al-Sudairi, indicates the positive difference which will be achieved in the educational outcomes. This determination will be supported by the Saudi universities in order to achieve success.