As part of the keenness the President of UQU, Dr. Bakri bin Maatouq Assass, to have the university represented in all scientific and academic events organized in Saudi universities, and as part of the support of  the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Rashad Serouji to present all that benefits the students of the university, the Dean of the Preparatory Year, Dr. Saad bin Saeed Al-Ghamdi, participated in the seventh meeting of the deans of the preparatory year in the Saudi universities, which was held at the University of Ta’if during the period extending from 12 to 13 Jumada Al-Akhira 1439H.

Dr. Saad Al-Ghamdi pointed out that the sessions of this meeting included many issues related to the preparatory year and its development, in line with the the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision and the 2020 National Transition Program. The University of Ta’if presented its experience in restructuring the preparatory year and changing its name to the Deanship of Supporting Studies. The first year of King Saud University presented an analytical study on preparatory years in KSA. The preparatory year experience at Umm Al-Qura University and transitioning into self-operation in terms of all its courses at the headquarters in Makkah, in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Education, was the center of admiration of all participants, and was seen as a leading role model to be followed.

Within the same context, Dr. Al-Ghamdi praised the recommendations made in conclusion of the meeting. The recommendations included several visions and constructive ideas that could be adopted to develop preparatory years, such as: Developing the operation mechanisms as well as the program outputs, and connecting them to the required skills in the 21st century, in addition to developing courses to focus more on enhancing the skills needed for forming the personality of a university student systematically and scientifically. 

Dr. Al-Ghamdi also stressed the importance of supporting the continuous support which the Deanship of the Preparatory Year receives from the UQU President, as well as the ongoing follow-up from the Vice President of UQU for Educational Affairs, Dr. Al-Serouji. He also stressed the great impact of this on making the Deanship adopt several development plans and apply qualitative initiatives that result in making it satisfying for the beneficiaries locally and internationally, in addition to making it have a distinct position among the preparatory years in Saudi universities.