Within the framework of effective partnership with various colleges, and in cooperation with the UQU English Language Center, the Deanship of E-Learning and Distance Education held an introductory meeting for students of the College of Islamic Economics and Finance. The meeting, which was titled “Virtual Classrooms,” was held on Thursday 25^th January 2018 (8^th Jumada I 1439H) at King Abdulaziz Historical Hall in the Abediyah-based University City, at 11:00am-01:00pm.

It is worth mentioning that the meeting was presented by both Dr. Al-Asaad Al-Sumeirany and Eng. Mahmoud Khedr from the Deanship of E-Learning and Distance Education. It dealt with the significance and distinction of e-learning in comparison to traditional learning. Then, the E-Learning Portal offered by Umm Al-Qura University through the Deanship of E-Learning and Distance Education for the benefit of students and staff members was introduced. Moreover, the method to access the portal and the most significant available tools were presented. In the same context, the focus was on the tool of Virtual Classrooms. Such tool allowed staff members to create a virtual room accessible by students everywhere. It also allowed synchronous and asynchronous participation among students and with staff members. Each student then received a guide explaining clearly how to use the virtual classroom tool.