President of Umm Al-Qura University Dr. Bakri bin M'atooq bin Bakri Assas discussed with the Chairman of the Saudi Federation of Sports Medicine and the Member of Board of Directors of Asian Federation of Sports Medicine Dr. Qasim bin Ibrahim Al-Moeedi aspects of cooperation in the fields of sports medicine and physical therapy. Present in the meeting were the Dean of College of Applied Medical Sciences Dr. Ayman bin Abdul-Rahim Al-Sayegh, the Dean of Consulting Research and Studies Institute Dr. Ali bin Mohamed Al-Shaari, the Institute's Vice Dean Dr. Yousef Al-Otaibi and the Institute's Vice Dean for Development and Business Implementation Dr. Sahl Waheeb.

At the commencement of the meeting, Dr. Assas welcomed the Chairman of Saudi Federation of Sports Medicine Dr. Qasim Al-Moeedi at Umm Al-Qura University indicating that the university is filled with competencies  which can cooperate with the Saudi federation in the medical fields and is working currently to establish Faran Center for Rehabilitation and Hospitalization in the university campus at Abdyia, which is reckoned one of the university initiatives for the National Transformation Plan 2020 and will be launched in mid-2018 to provide medical rehabilitation services for about 200 patients a day.     

He further praised the support attached to Umm Al-Qura University by the wise leadership which contributed to creating an attractive educational environment for science and learning. He also praised the follow up of the Minister of Education Dr. Ahmed bin Mohamed Al-Issa and his attention paid to all efforts made by the university. It didn't escape his notice to commend the efforts of the Dean of Consulting Research and Studies Institute Dr. Ali bin Mohamed Al-Shaari, the staff of the institute, and the College of Applied Medical Sciences and other medical colleges relevant to the implementation of Faran City for Rehabilitation and Hospitalization which is reckoned one of the best specialized centers in the physical therapy at the level of the Middle East.  

For his part,  the Chairman of the Saudi Federation of Sports Medicine and the Member of Board of Directors of Asian Federation of Sports Medicine Dr. Qasim Al-Moeedi praised the keenness of Umm Al-Qura University represented by the Consulting Research and Studies Institute in cooperation with the federation in the fields related to sport medical rehabilitation commending the university initiative to establish a center for rehabilitation and physical therapy which will create significant opportunities for partnership between public and private sectors including the Saudi Federation of Sports Medicine.  

He went on to add that the center will have a positive impact on the region and all that related to sports services and sports medicine and will also motivate the community to practice physical activities to get rid of many chronic diseases which have become a burden for the national economy. He stressed that the center will be an important resource for the Saudi Federation of Sports Medicine and will become a supporter in the consultations related to sports medicine.    

In turn, the Dean of Consulting Research and Studies Institute Dr. Ali bin Mohamed Al-Shaari said they have taken into consideration localization of the latest equipment used in the medical rehabilitation and physical therapy to be available for all citizens. He added that the project will contribute to achieving the economic growth in the Kingdom in line with the Kingdom Vision 2030 besides investing the university's cognitive, scientific and technical capabilities including; the laboratories, equipment and human cadre which were prepared in line with the latest international standards and specifications in addition to changing the concept of medical rehabilitation from suffering to  enjoying all rehabilitative therapeutic services.     

He added that there is a professional dimension behind establishing such city represented in creating training halls within the project to provide training for students on the latest therapeutic methods and means in the field of medical rehabilitation to boost their scientific and professional level and contribute to the growth of the university's' scientific research through the partnerships with the international scientific institutions in the field of medical rehabilitation.