The Advisor to Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal launched at the Emirate Headquarters in Jeddah Yesterday Sunday Jumada Al-Awal 18, 1439 H Umm Al-Qura Consultations Oasis, in the presence of the Deputy Emir of Makkah HRH Prince Abdullah bin Bander bin Abdul-Aziz. The Oasis is designed to be the knowledge and technology arm of the university aiming at building a sustainable economy in line with the Kingdom Vision 2030.   

During the meeting which was attended by the UQU President Dr. Bakri Assas, the Dean of Consulting Research and Studies Institute Dr. Ali bin Mohamed Al-Shaari, the Deans of the Colleges relevant to the Oasis project and the Institute's Vice Deans,  Prince Khalid Al-Faisal was briefed on the objectives of the Oasis and its affiliated centers set to create a national reference in the field of knowledge and technology production, transfer and localization, besides providing consultancy studies and services and professional training for public and private sectors and the community. 

Meanwhile, the UQU President Dr. Bakri bin M'atooq Assas lauded the support attached to Umm Al-Qura University by the wise leadership in such manner which contributed to creating an attractive educational environment for science and learning. He also lauded the keenness of the Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and the Deputy Emir of Makkah Prince Abdullah bin Bander and their close follow up of the activities and programs of the university praising also the continuous follow up of the Minister of Education Dr. Mohamed bin Ahmed Al-Issa.  

He explained that the Oasis will include in the first phase two centers and five units including; the Risk and Crisis Management Center (SAFE),one of the initiatives of the National Transformation Plan 2020 which will provide specialized experts in offering consultancies and training in the field of Safety Systems in the industrial, construction, general projects, industrial security, planning and dealing with risks, disasters and crises in the giant projects currently taking place in the kingdom.  

He added that the Oasis also includes the Unit of Continuing Medical Education, which is considered within the initiatives approved by the Ministry of Education in line with the National Transformation Plan 2020 aimed at boosting skills of health practitioners  to keep path with the rapid development in the health services sector in the Kingdom by such mean of  cooperation with the medical colleges and departments in the university. The Unit, he said, will achieve its mission by developing four areas including; training services, continuing medical education,  consultations, and the professional accreditation services in the health sector. 

All the more, Dr. Assas explained that the Oasis also includes Faran Center for Rehabilitation and Hospitalization and the Engineering Training and Development Unit which is reckoned the Oasis's fourth program specialized in the training and development of effective engineering cadres who will work using creative style to achieve the maximum benefit from them in all fields. While the fifths program, he added, is represented in the Unit of Continuing Professional Development for Educational Cadres so as for them to become capable of upgrading and improving quality of the educational system and services.      

For his part, the Dean of Consulting Research and Studies Dr. Ali bin Mohamed Al-Shaari said the Institute is reckoned the investment arm of the university which provides consultancy services, and certified professional training pointing out that the Institute is aimed at transferring high-quality knowledge for the beneficiaries using the concept of the private sector by such mean of harnessing the human, physical and knowledge capabilities of Umm Al-Qura University and building strategic partnerships.  

He went on to add that the Institute is looking to achieve a number of objectives by the year 2020 through Umm Al-Qura Consultation Oasis including; providing job opportunities for the qualified Saudi cadres,  qualifying the institutions, activating community partnerships and offering executive and professional diplomas and training courses.