The  UQU President, Dr. Bakri bin Maatooq Al-Assas, met with the Chairman of Makkah Municipal Council, Mr. Mastour Al-Matrafi and the members of the council to discuss to what extent the council could benefit from the academic expertise and research centers of UQU in developing the system of municipal services. The meeting took place in the meeting hall at the university city in Abidia.

Meanwhile, Dr. Al-Assas applauded the confidence entrusted by the chairman and the members of the municipal council to the academic expertise and research centers of the university, and its role in developing the system of municipal services in coincidence with Saudi vision 2030. He indicated that the university has so far various consulting expertise offices in all fields related to social, medical, and engineering affairs.   

He went on to add that the university offers about 550 programs in 215 fields provided by 35 colleges and support deanships, besides research centers equipped with the latest technology installations achieved through the support the university enjoys from our wise leadership, may Allah support them. He pointed out that the university is striving to transform to an entrepreneurial university and has so far achieved significant progress in this regard  via the university vice-presidency for business & innovation, which has established startups center after initiating many innovative projects and managed to transform these innovations into tangible products for the community.

 
On his part, the Chairman of Makkah Municipal Council, Mr. Mastour Al-Matrafi applauded the academic and scientific expertise of UQU and its role in developing the system of municipal services. In this regard, he added, "the council seeks to expand partnerships between public and private sectors to develop services provided for citizens by means of conducting studies based on the scientific research, in line with the its vision of providing high quality services for citizens and visitors, wishing to take advantage of the students in the voluntary services in Makkah, and the faculty members in raising the community awareness regarding the importance of maintaining cleanliness and municipal utilities and services".  

  
Al-Matrafi  said that the council provided several ideas to UQU president including supporting the excellence award in the fields of developing and implementing the innovative and entrepreneurial municipal services, and raising awareness of the community to maintain cleanliness and public properties due to the academic capabilities of the university having an impact on the community, besides supporting endowment gardens in a manner which achieves comfort and prosperity of all segments of Makkan community.

At the conclusion, Al-Matrafi praised the warm reception offered by UQU President to the members of the municipal council in their capacity as the citizen's voice.