On Thursday, Muharram 1, 1439H, Umm al-Qura University (UQU) and the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) held the first coordinating meeting aimed to activate the joint research cooperation agreement between the two institutions. The meeting was attended by the UQU Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Thamer H. al-Harbi, Dean of Scientific Research Deanship, Dr. Abdurrahman al-Ahdal, vice deans of the deanship, and directors of the deanship's research centers. Attending also, representing SEC, were Eng. Abdullah al-Kathiri, head of the Research and Development Department (R&D), and representatives of the company's four research centers.

After welcoming the participants, Dr. Thamer al-Harbi, Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research highlighted the University's role, activities and achievements in the research domain. Then he reiterated the importance of tightening research bonds between the University and industry. Research must be directed to overcoming the obstacles facing industry, and must have local applications. On this occasion, Dr. al-Harbi extended earnest thanks to the UQU President, Dr. Bakri M. Assas, for his unabated patronage of all research programs and activities going on at the University.

It followed that participants in the meeting discussed the agenda, and exchanged views on the prospects for research cooperation between the two institutions. They came up with the conclusion that there are promising opportunities for joint research that advances the interests of all parties, as well as contributing to localizing technology, and increasing the national input, thus going in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. That is to be added to boosting joint research cooperation between the two institutions, exchanging theoretical and practical experiences between researchers, and enhancing communication between UQU and SEC at all levels.

Noteworthy, one of the attendees was Eng. Muhammad Khan, representing Transportation Research Center, in al-Zahran. Another was Eng. Mashaal al-Shamri, representing the Distribution and Smart Network Research at King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST). Eng. Ahmed al-Balawi represented the Renewable Energy Research Center of King Saud University. Eng. Kamal al-Ahmada and Eng. Eid Badr represented the KAUST Generation and Fuel Combustion Research Center. Representing UQU were: Dr. Iskandar Hosawi, Dean of Leith Engineering College, and Dr. Abdullah Baz, Vice Dean of Scientific Research for Information and Publishing (who also serves as the contact person with SEC). Besides, Dr. Ahmed al-Ahmadi, Vice Dean of the College of Engineering and Islamic Architecture for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Emad Flimban, Acating Director of Engineering and Architecture Research Center, Dr. Muhammad Al al-Sheikh, head of the Department of Electerical Engineering, Dr. Omar Hafez, Vice Dean of Postgraduate Studies, and a number of scholars, partook in the meeting.