On behalf of the Minister of Education, Chairman of Umm al-Qura University Council, the UQU President, Dr. Bakri M. Assas, headed the 5th session of the University Council, held on Thursday, Ramadan 20, 1438H. Dr. Assas opened the session by saying: "Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad. Onbehalf of the Minister of Education, Chairman of the University Council, it is my pleasure to open the 5th session of the council for the academic year 1437/1438H. On this occasion, I would like to welcome all attendees: the UQU vice presidents, and deans of the University's colleges, institutes and supporting deanships, as well as the secretary-general of the temporary committee, acting as the Higher Education Council, Dr. Muhammad A. al-Saleh. Welcome! I am pleased to stand here and send sincere Ramadan greetings to all of you. May Allah accept our fasting, prayers and good deeds! And may He shower his blessings upon our beloved Prophet and his family and companions. And thanks be to Allah."

The Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Secretary of the University Council, Dr. Thamer bin Hemdan, made clear that the session touched on the following topics: 

- Approval of extending and re-extending mandate of a number of the University's retired faculty members

- Approval of seconding and extending the secondment of a number of UQU faculty members abroad

- Approval of the resignation of a faculty member from the UQU College of Judicial Studies and Laws

- Approval of study plans for the undergraduate courses of the College of Designs, as per the recommendations of the Supreme Standing Committee for Curricula and Study Plans

- Approval of giving another chance to a number of MA and PhD students, as per a recommendation by the Postgraduate Studies Deanship Council

- Approval of amending the University Council Resolution no. 2, taken in the 3rd Session, dated Jumada II 9, 1438H, to change the start and end dates of the summer semester of the current academic year (1437/1438H)

Besides, several academic, administrative and financial topics were discussed, and the Council took proper decisions thereupon.