On behalf of the President of UQU, Dr. Abdullah bin Omar Bafil, the Vice President of the University for Educational Affairs, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Rashad Al-Serouji, inaugurated on Tuesday 10 Rajab 1439AH the annual forum to choose the specialties of preparatory year students for academic year 1438/1439AH. The forum took place at King Abdulaziz historical hall, in the presence of the Deans of the supporting deanships and colleges participating in the preparatory year program, in addition to their vice deans.

The ceremony held on this occasion started with reciting verses from the Holy Qur’an. Then the Dean of the Preparatory Year, Dr. Saad bin Saeed Al-Ghamdi, delivered a message in which he congratulated the President of UQU for the royal trust he was granted, and his leadership of Umm Al-Qura University. He asked God to bless him and grant him success. He also thanked him for sponsoring this forum, and extended his thanks to the Vice President of UQU for Educational Affairs, Dr. Al-Serouji, for inaugurating this forum which aims to draw the path for students to help them choose the specialty most suitable for them. He also pointed out that the strategic objectives of the Ministry of Education, in accordance with the 2020 National Transition Program and the 2030 Kingdom Vision, emphasize the ability of the educational system to meet the requirements of development and the needs of the labor market, as well as develop and utilize the skills of the youth. In order to achieve this, the Deanship has allocated all its capabilities to serve its students through offering academic courses and student activities in accordance with the standards of quality and excellence. He also praised the support received by the Deanship of the preparatory year from the UQU President, the continuous follow-up of the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs, and the keenness to honor the Deanship by sponsoring all its events and programs.

Afterwards, Dr. Al-Serouji congratulated Dr. Bafil for the Royal Trust and his new position as the President of UQU. He asked God to grant him success and guide his steps in the light of the generous care and support UQU receives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, alongside with the follow-up of the Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Prince of Makkah Region, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, as well as the attention given by the Minister of Education, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Eissa. He conveyed the greetings of the UQU President to his students in the Deanship of the Preparatory Year, pointing out his sponsorship of the forum, which provides students with a good opportunity to inquire about everything they want and look forward to a promising future to work as doctors, engineers or managers. Today they are students and tomorrow they will be faculty members.

Near the end of his message, he thanked the President of UQU for sponsoring this forum, and also extended his thanks to the administrative and academic leaders in the Deanship, including the Dean of the Preparatory Year, Dr. Al-Ghamdi; the Vice Dean Dr. Ahmed Khashim; the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs Dr. Ahmed Al-Zahrani; the Vice Dean for Branches, Dr. Rami Basha, and the staff of the Deanship for their efforts to organize the forum. He also thanked the Deans, Vice Deans and colleges participating in the forum.

Then the events of the forum started with a number of training courses, motivational success stories, lectures on how to choose the right specialty and determining the correct path for students, in addition to the mechanism of automatic allocation after passing the preparatory year. The events also included a meeting with the Deans of the Colleges participating in the Preparatory Year program.