In the framework of the university's interest in institutional accreditation and its requirements, the Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research held a workshop on "Scientific Research Criteria: Institutional Accreditation Requirements from Colleges and Academic Programs" on Monday, 23-3-1439, to discuss the role of scientific research in institutional accreditation, and to indicate the importance of collecting data required to meet the requirements of the scientific research criterion, and presenting the efforts of researchers in collecting data to provide self-study with evidence compatible with the level of scientific research at Umm Al-Qura Universit (UQU).

The workshop was opened by the speech of the vice-dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, in which he emphasized that the 2030 vision in scientific research necessitated that scientific research at UQU be directed towards developing and investing knowledge. The number of published research papers is not a matter of interest; rather, it is concerned with the nature of these papers and the quality of the selected journals for publishing the different disciplines. These directives have been translated with the support of HE President of UQU to encourage scientific research in various fields with a focus on research priorities to address the social and developmental problems of Makkah region in particular and the Kingdom in general.

In support of research orientations to produce marketable products, the university provided support through research grants to outstanding faculty members. It also provided all means of facilitation for externally supported researchers to increase the quality of research production of the university and to increase knowledge products.

Dr. Abdurrahman Al-Ahdal, dean of Scientific Research, delivered a speech, in which he highlighted the importance of the 10^th criterion of the Deanship of Scientific Research, as the percentage of requirements to meet the criterion of the deanship is about 60% of the value of the standard at the institutional level. The Deanship provides individual research grants or grants to research centers with an interest in external partnerships and a shift in knowledge investment.

The Dean of Development and Quality, Dr. Mohammed Thabet, also, delivered a speech in which he lauded the university's interest and mobility to meet the requirements of the criteria and commended the efforts of the 10th Criterion Committee, while encouraging and motivating the members to complete the time limits set to comply with the other standards in the institutional accreditation.

After that, the research departments began to present their efforts and the steps taken to complete the requirements of the National Authority’s recommendations, and to implement the internal self-evaluation in the Authority. Dr.  Hanadi Bihairi, vice-dean of the Scientific Research for Quality, Development and Academic Accreditation, presented a mechanism for collecting data from the research institutions and the required academic colleges in the coming period. She also referred to the division of labor in the criterion into four sub-committees according to the convergent disciplines, and they have a form for collecting the research data of the faculty members, as following:

The faculty members’ research data- first sub-group- (Sharia’ah Colleges and their branches) and its head” (Dr. Faisal Barwais- vice dean of Scientific Research)

https://uqu.edu.sa/dsr/App/Forms/Show/1585

The faculty members’ research data- second sub-group- (humanities colleges) and their head: (Dr. Nasser Al-Shaharani, vice-dean of Institute of Manuscripts and Revival of Islamic Heritage)

https://uqu.edu.sa/dsr/App/Forms/Show/1617

The faculty members’ research data- third sub-group- (Scientific, Engineering and Computer Colleges) and their head: (Dr. Maysoon Al-Bonian, Postgraduate Studies Deanship)

https://uqu.edu.sa/dsr/App/Forms/Show/1624

The faculty members’ research data- fourth sub-group- (Medical and Health Colleges) and their head: (Dr. Mohammed Mokhtar- vice dean of the Scientific Research for Research Centers and Groups)

https://uqu.edu.sa/dsr/App/Forms/Show/1628

The meeting ended with questions about the quality of the evidence and the forms required to be filled in by the faculty members and postgraduate students. It was concluded by a motivational speech by the university's vice president for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research to complete the requirements of the criterion from the colleges within the specified period of time.