President of Umm Al Qura University (UQU) Dr. Bakri Bin M'atoog Bin Bakri Assas on Saturday, Shawal 18, attended the signing ceremony of agreement made by and between the university and the Establishment of Motawifs of Pilgrims of Turkey (Muslims of Europe, America and Australia).

The agreement regulates works on the project of the shuttle service's technical follow-up and monitor system. It would be carried out by the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research.

Also, he attended the signing of the agreement for the supervision of "the automation of the Establishment of Motawifs of Pilgrims of Turkey". This contract would be carried out by the UQU's Advanced Trends in Security and Information Technology (ATS&IT). Board member of the establishment and UQU Vice-President for Educational Affairs Dr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Srouji was present.

The ceremony was also attended by Dean of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research Dr. Atef Asghar, Chairman of the board of directors of the Establishment Tariq Angawi, Vice Chairman of the Establishment Osama Zowawi and board members Dr. Samir Tawkol and Mr. Mohamed Bou in addition to Chairman Assistant for Transport Eng. Adel Kari.

During the meeting, Dr. Assas said the two agreements would lead to improve services provided for pilgrims in light of the government plan of development. He added that Umm Al-Qura University has the necessary potentials and equipments, especially in the field of scientific research to serve Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research presents up to 70 studies and research papers to predict the challenges, to suggest solutions and to reduce the impacts suffered by the pilgrims, he added.

He expressed thanks to the Establishment of Motawifs of Pilgrims of Turkey for their trust in the UQU, its staff and research centers. The university is equipped with the cutting-edge technologies to work under the highest standards, he said, wishing that the agreements would improve Hajj and Umrah services.

In the same context, Dr. Asghar said the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research suggested the shuttle transport in 1416H and assumed the reasonability to manage the service provided for pilgrims transported by the Establishment of Motawifs of Pilgrims of Turkey (Muslims of Europe America and Australia).

According to the dean of the Institute, it’s a success story led to the expansion to cover all Motawifs facilities under direct supervision of the Haj and Umra. He added: today's initiative which was launched to develop and carry out the shuttle transport follow-up system and to measure performance in cooperation with the institute, reflected keen concern from the side of the Establishment of Motawifs of Pilgrims of Turkey.

For his part, Mr. Tariq Angawi said the project would fruit a great deal of positive impact on the hajj services. It would improve pilgrims' movement in Makkah and between the sacred sites, he said. The systems let the employees to monitor bus trips and to count pilgrims on Mount Arafat, Mina or Muzdalifah, the chairman of the establishment said, noting the routes are chosen by the Transport Coordinating Council for buses. According to Dr. Angawi the system provides digital accounting facility for the buses and pilgrims. An operation room is located in Mina where every electronic device is patented by the Kingdom. 

In the same context, Dr. Al-Srouji said the agreements are expected to make a quantum leap in the service quality and develop all related managerial and financial procedures including the study needed to evaluate the high-technology-based shuttle services. The study would measure motion of the shuttle transportation between different sacred sites and Makkah from one side and the sites on the other side, he said. The study would be copied at vast scale in case of success upon approval of the Ministry of Haj and Umra, he added, noting a report would provide details on the study.

The automation project's agreement reflects strategic partnership linking the Establishment of Motawifs of Pilgrims of Turkey and Umm Al-Qura University, Dr. Al-Srouji. According to the professor, the Establishment has managed to automate and develop its operations to improve services provided for the pilgrims before they leave their homeland until they departure from Makkah and during their stay. It eyes a far-sighted stride in the quality of its services to lead the industry depending on strong belief that technology is the foundation for overcoming challenges, he asserted.

Also, Eng. Adel Kari said the program is developed to monitor pilgrims buses inside the area covered by the shuttle service to measure the time cost. He noted the program gives precise data and statistics on trip time and pilgrims number, especially during grouping stages. Under this program, delayed bus trips would be eyed by the on-board devices and field committees, he said, adding a delay or breakdown messages would be sent for the field teams. Eng. Kari expected up to 180,000 pilgrims would be transported on board of about 1,650 buses this year.