The President of UQU, Dr. Bakri bin Maatouk Assass, launched yesterday the second updated version of the administrative communications system “Masar” which allows dealings between all the administrations of the university electronically. It has been developed based on the latest standards and specifications unlike the past version. Dr. Assass also launched four new e-services on UQU's e-portal. This took place at his office at the University College in Al-Abideyah.

At the start of the meeting, which was attended by the Vice President of UQU, Dr. Yasir bin Soliman Shosho; the Vice President of the University for Academic Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Hani bin Othman Ghazi; The Dean of Information Technology, Dr. Fahd Al-Dosari; the Vice Dean of Information Technology for E-dealings, Dr. Atif Al-Hojaily; UQU President’s Adviser, Dr. Essam BIN Hassan Marqoushi; in addition to several other concerned officials, the head of the Documents and Administrative Communication Center, Mr. Abdullah Al-Solimany showcased the advantages of the administrative communication program. These advantages included the ability to operate the system on various computers through the Internet or smart devices. He pointed out that the signing in mechanism is done through using the user name of the staff member.

He explained that dealings could be classified either as “administrative” or “circulars”. They have been connected to the archive system, with the possibility to send dealings through e-mails, and transform an e-mail or e-fax into a dealing. In addition, there is the feature to classify the employee, the bodies involved, or the dealing, while connecting administrative dealings to one another, and giving everyone access to the search without remarks or enclosures. He also pointed out that the system allows UQU clients to inquire over the phone.

Afterwards, the Vice Dean of Information Technology for E-services, Dr. Atif Al-Hojaily, presented the services of faculty members and employees. They are represented in four services related to personal profiles. They allow updating the personal data of each staff member, which aims to eventually purify and refine the data of staff members, as well as establish a strong database that includes all the information that concern the staff. The services also include printing cards for staff members. These cards are originally requested by the faculty member or an employee and are then delivered to their workplace. There is also the service of passenger orders, which can be done electronically through a complete cycle. This cycle begins with requesting the order from the travel department, then reserving the tickets through the company that the university has a contract with, followed by dealing with the planning and budget management, then issuing the decision and assigning the company to issue the ticket. There is also the service of e-clearance letters which allows the faculty member and employee so submit the request electronically through the UQU e-portal. The request is then approved or rejected by each party responsible for the clearance. The applicant can follow the case and check the notes if there are any. A clearance can then be printed once approvals are automatically completed without the need to go back to any management at the university.

For his part, the Vice President of UQU for Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Hani bin Otham Ghazi, said that keeping up with the developments in the e-services field is one of the main pillars of development programs in this entity. He pointed out that great efforts were made to carry out inclusive development of the content of the website which has become one of the best websites, and is available in four globally-recognized languages. He praised the support and directions of Dr. Assass, as well as the cooperation and concerted efforts of all the bodies at the university, which enabled workers in information technology to provide a series of e-services that can enhance the level of the services provided to the UQU staff.

For his part, the Vice President of UQU, Dr. Yasir bin Soliman Shosho, said that launching a series of e-services on this day includes the administrative communication program “Masar”. Through “Masar”, all UQU dealings can be carried out electronically, including creating letters and authorizing personal signatures through the web. He pointed out that this version is the second within the project launched in 1435AH to transform all the dealings of the university into electronic ones. He noted that in the first e-version, the percentage of doing without paper dealings exceeded 80%, explaining that the e-services development project at the university is part of the strategic plan UQU seeks to achieve to be in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 to offer high-quality qualitative services to all beneficiaries of its services as soon as possible.

Dr. Yasir Shosho explained that “Masar” has many features. The most prominent features include the availability of instant conversations with the users and the officials responsible for the dealing, establishing dealings in a brief form, in addition to a notifications and alarms service, and providing search with detailed, accurate and extensive search elements. The system also helps its users through reminding them of late dealings. Dr. Shosho pointed out that “Masar” system is one of the quickest administrative communication systems in the world of technology in terms of browsing through the documents attached to dealings, and it is authorized in many government authorities.

He explained that this updated version of the program was launched after holding a series of workshops for all UQU staff, including both employees and faculty members. He pointed out that the system accurately presents a detailed report about the performance of each employee, which is deemed very practical in terms of assessing the staff. He praised the support and effort of Dr. Assass as well as his keenness to provide everything that improves the educational environment and the services that support it. He extended his thanks to everyone behind the implementation of the program, including the Information Technology Deanship and the Administrative Communication and Documents Center for all their efforts to produce the program in its new form.

Afterwards, UQU President launched the e-services, which included the adminstritive communication program “Masar” through which the percentage of doing without paper reached 100%. He praised the effort the wise leadership of Umm Al-Qura makes, which contributed to created an educational and research environment on a wider geographic scale that includes the headquarters of the university and its branches in Jamoum, Al-Laith, A-Qunfudhah, and Adham. He noted that UQU has worked over the past period in developing its e-services in a way that suits that Saudi Arabia 2030 vision. He explained that over 90 e-services were developed, to serve over 120,000 staff members at the university. He praised the efforts of the Vice Presidents of UQU and the Vice Dean of Information Technology as well as the related authorities to develop e-services based on the highest quality specifications.