President of Umm Al Qura University Dr. Bakri Bin M'atoog Bin Bakri Assas on Monday, Shawal 13, 1437H signed an agreement to provide training for up to 1,500 employees working on Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro in Makkah. The president placed his signature on the document during a meeting with representative of the metro operator Mr. Bukhari bin Mohamed in Al-Abdiyah. Dean of Institute of Consulting Research and Studies Ali bin Mohamed Al Shaeri and Vice-Dean of the Institute for Development Dr. Raed Shalwala attended the meeting.

Dr. Assas congratulated the meeting on the deal, saying it would qualify employees to control pilgrims movement in addition to training on the proper way and guidelines for maintaining safety and comfortability of the Holy Mosque's visitors. He hailed the operator for trusting in the UQU's Institute of Consulting Research and Studies and extended thanks for the dean of the institute over his efforts exerted to carry out the agreement.

The UQU is pleased to provide research services to improve services offered by the university's institutes and specialized centers for pilgrims under the directives of King Salman's government, he said. The university is gifted by a group of talented and highly-qualified staff who can meet the market's needs in different specialties, Dr. Assas added.

At the same meeting, Dr. Al Shaeri said the agreement is part of a national plan of development and efforts exerted to promote community partnerships in a quest to strengthen scientific, experimental, cultural and knowledge ties between the university, public and private sectors. The partnerships pave the way for knowledge-based sectors to work in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, he said.

Umm Al-Qura University has the potentials needed by both the private and public sectors, he said, adding it would provide the training courses for about 1,500 employees. The dean thanked Dr. Assas and University Vice-President for Business & Innovation Dr. Nabil bin Abdul Qader Koshak for supporting the institute to meet the requirements to serve the community through these courses.