Chairman of Umm Al-Qura Publishing, a company affiliated to the Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), Dr. Bakri Bin M'atoog Bin Bakri Assas and Chairman of Obeikan Investment Group (OIG) Dr. Fahd Al Obeikan on Wednesday, Shawal 8, 1437H signed a contract of "Arabic Language Book Series for Non-Native Speakers."

The signing ceremony was attended by UQU Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Dr. Thamir bin Hamdan al-Harbi, Vice-President for Educational Affairs Abdul-Aziz bin Rashad Al-Srouji, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Dr. Hany bin Othman bin Yassin Ghazi and Dean of Institute of Arabic Language for Non-native Speakers Adel Banaemah along with his vice-deans and deans of Shari'ah and Arabic Language Colleges. The deal was concluded at the office of President of Umm Al Qura University in Al-Abdiyah Campus.

At the meeting, Dr. Assas said the cooperation between the company and OIG is part of efforts to achieve the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to boost integration of both government and private sector entities.

Dr. Assas described the deal as a historic moment that makes the UQU feels proud for serving the Arabic Language. He said the agreement is a step in serving the language of the Holy Quran that paves the way for improving the university's knowledge and scientific brilliance. He saluted King Salman's government over supporting the university. Also, he highlighted efforts exerted by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Naif, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Education Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Issa. In the same context, he thanked OIG Chairman Dr. Fahd Al Obeikan who showed personal interest in the success of the project. Also, he thanked the Institute of Arabic Language for Non-native Speakers and Umm Al-Qura Publishing Company.

For this angle, OIG Chairman Dr. Fahd Al Obeikan extended thanks to Dr. Assas over supporting the deal which serves people who are not native speakers and want to learn Arabic linguistics. Also, he underscored importance of efforts exerted by Dean of Institute of Arabic Language for Non-native Speakers to bring Umm Al-Qura Publishing and OIG together in a deal.

For his part, Dr. Banaemah said the new Arabic book series improves the curricula of Arab Language set for the non-native speakers according to the scientific, pedagogical and educational standards. The project and its products are a source of pride for the university through which the UQU delivers a great message of serving the religion of Islam and the Arabic Language, he said, adding the Institute of Arabic Language for Non-native Speakers, established 40 years ago, plays a major role in qualifying teachers of not native Arabic students.

The project would be accomplished throughout the coming 18 months, according to Dr. Banaemah. The series provides a four-level student book and a teacher book that furnishes necessary instructions and guidelines. Also, it includes an Arabic-Arabic picture dictionary for non-native speakers in addition to a list of stories that fit every level of learning (the list is the first of kind that has never been available in other Arabic language learning series). In addition, students can find a simplified book series that suits every level of study along with a speaking pen in which we impeded a complete record of the student's book, stories, comprehension texts, ebub3 softcopy for the whole project, an interactive student copy for the online self-learning and smart phone applications.

The new project furnishes a batch of scientific and methodical standards that include integral targeting for language skills through different training courses to improve the student's communication skills in order to fluently use Arabic language in his daily activities.

The book is available with audio, text and lexical stories in addition to the content which maintain the civilization balance to reflect the spirit of moderate Arab and Muslim culture without deviation from the main target (the language learning). Following the steps of the integrated education theories, the book was collected to achieve the goals of the Second Language Curriculum.

Under a curriculum document, the institute, in cooperation with experts from abroad, has invented a new perspective for the Arabic grammar taking into account the already-published curricula of Arabic language for non-native speakers in addition to a number of English and French language series. The team reached an integrated educational scheme by making soft and interactive copies available in addition to the necessary addenda. They provided, for example, the Teacher Book, Series of graded short stories and the Speaking Pen.

Dr. Banaemah voiced happiness for the project's progress made after extended efforts. He credited the success of the project to the  employees and the academic staff who played a role in achieving the goals under direct support from Dr. Assas. He added the work would continue throughout the coming 18 months on the same way until the final product is ready for publish.