On behalf of HE the Minister of Education and Chairman of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) Council, Dr. Bakri bin Maatouq Assas, UQU President, headed the (first) session of the Council on Wednesday, 5^th Safar 1439H at King Faisal Hall, Abediyah University City.

Dr. Assas opened the session saying, “Praise be to Allah; peace and blessings be on His Prophet. On behalf of HE the Minister of Education and Chairman of the University Council, it is my pleasure to open the (first) session for the academic year 1438/1439H. I would like to welcome my dear esteemed colleagues: vice-presidents of UQU, the deans of colleges, institutes and vice-deanships, as well as Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Saleh, Secretary General of the Interim Committee in Charge of the Affairs of the Higher Education Council. Welcome to you all!”    

In the same context, the President of UQU added, “It is also my pleasure to highly commend the support, follow-up and care given to such an original university by HRM the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia (May Allah Save Them!), in addition to the wise government. Moreover, I would like to congratulate Dr. Hani bin Othman Ghazi on his appointment as Vice-President of UQU for Development and Entrepreneurship, after the merger of the Vice-Deanships of University Development and Community Service and Business and Innovation in one vice-deanship under the name of "UQU Vice-Presidency for Development and Entrepreneurship." May Allah, the Almighty, support and guide him to perform the duties and elevate UQU to achieve the highest objectives that will enhance the scientific, cognitive and innovative levels of our dear UQU students.”  

Dr. Assas also extended his greetings and congratulations to the new members of UQU Council, as well as to the following members of the Supreme Advisory Committee:   

• Dr. Hisham bin Abdurrahman Maghrabi on the occasion of the resolution to entrust him as Dean of the College of Design. In addition, he extended sincere thanks and appreciations to Dr. Abdul Majeed bin Mahmoud Sabbagh, the former Dean.
• Dr. Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Maliki on the occasion of the resolution to entrust him as Dean of the University College in Al-Lith. He also extended sincere thanks and appreciations to Dr. Hamed bin Ahmad Saad Al-Shanbary, the former Dean.    
• Dr. Mowaffaq bin Muhammad Uraijah on the occasion of the resolution to entrust him as Dean of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute. He also extended sincere thanks and appreciations to Dr. Wadee’ bin Ali Barqawy, the former Dean.   
• Dr. Sa’eed bin Abdurrahman Al-Harithy on rejoining the Council upon his entrustment as Dean of the Postgraduate Studies Deanship. He also extended sincere thanks and appreciations to Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Furaih, the former Dean.  

After the meeting, Dr. Thamer bin Hamdan Al-Harbi, UQU Vice-President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research and Secretary of UQU Council, , said that a number of topics were discussed during the meeting: