The Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of the Makkah Region, His Royal Highness Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, witnessed the signing ceremony for the memorandum of cooperation between Umm Al-Qura University and the Foundation of the Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Award for Excellence in Social Work. This took place in the presence of the President of the University, Prof. Moaddi bin Muhammad Aal Madh-hab, and the UQU Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Ali Al-Sha`iri, at the emirate’s headquarters in Jeddah.

The agreement, signed on behalf of the two parties by Dr. Muhammad Al-Sharif, Dean of the Institute of Consulting Research and Studies at Umm Al-Qura University, and Prof. Fahd Al-Maghlouth, Secretary General of the Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Award for Excellence in Social Work, provides that a specialized advisory study be presented on the proposal to establish the Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Center for Vocational and Social Rehabilitation in order to provide and design training programs in various disciplines, according to the needs of the labor market. Moreover, the agreement provides that professional and executive diplomas be offered in various disciplines, consulting solutions be created for social and professional problems, and studies and advisory research be presented in the social and professional fields.

The UQU President, Prof. Moaddi bin Muhammad Aal Madh-hab, stressed the important role the center plays in fulfilling the university’s social responsibility, providing training and professional and social rehabilitation for young men and women to ensure them a decent standard of living and enable them to make a productive contribution to society

He indicated that the center realizes the principle of strategic partnerships between the two sectors (the public and private sectors) as well as the third sector in order to support the national goals and aspirations that aim to achieve the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030.

On his part, the Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Ali Al Shaeri, stated that the center aims at achieving social and professional empowerment of young men and women in the region by enhancing different skills. This is in order to contribute to strengthening the societal role of the university.

The Secretary General of the Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Award for Excellence, Prof. Fahd Al-Maghlouth, stated that the foundation seeks to become a leading global award in empowering social work locally and globally. This will be accomplished through the support it provides to projects and research and advisory studies in areas related to distinguished national programs, projects, services, and initiatives; the leadership in social, humanitarian and voluntary affairs; and effective contributions to social responsibility.