Umm Al Qura University (UQU) concluded Mawhiba Summer Enrichment Program 2016 organized in collaboration with King Abdul-Aziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (MAWHIBA) for 121 students from all regions of the Kingdom at the intermediate and secondary schools levels. The event took place at King Abdul-Aziz support hall in Abdiya on Friday Dhul-Qe'dah 12, 1437H    

The program was attended by the UQU Vice President for Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Thamir bin Hamdan Al-Harbi on behalf of UQU President Dr. Bakri Bin M'atoog Bin Bakri Assas, the Director of the Summer Enrichment Programs in the Foundation, Dr. Saud Al-Fadl, number of officials, the programs supervising and executive academic work team and the gifted students and their parents.

Meanwhile, The Director of Mawhiba Summer Enrichment Program in Umm Al-Qura University, Dr. Raed Abdurrahman Khaleel Shalwala praised the significant role undertaken by MAWHIBA and highlighted the success of the scientific strategy used in implementing the program which came as a result of the cooperation of all and the higher awareness and consciousness amongst the gifted students. He said the summer program for this year lasted for 21 days and covered seven tracks including; biomedical sciences, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering design, advanced physics, and computer encryption.

Further, he added the college participated in this program were the colleges of medicine, nursing, engineering, computer science, and applied sciences.  He went on to add that the program was accompanied by social, cultural, sport, recreational and volunteering programs besides training courses in the fields of vision, objectives, time management and prioritization. Further, he said the participants conducted several visits to King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the headquarters of Startups of Wadi Makkah Technology Company at the university campus in Abdyiah where they were briefed on how to transform their ideas into patents and tangible products. " The program came out with more than 20 ideas and projects to be presented in the accompanying exhibition of the concluding ceremony", he expounded.  

For his part, the Director of the Summer Enrichment Programs in the MAWHIBA, Dr. Saud Al-Fadl said a number of male and female gifted students at the level of the Kingdom amounted to 4400, (30% more compared to the last year). He extended his thanks and appreciation to Umm Al-Qura University represented by top leadership and program working team for their cooperation and for giving their significant experiences to the gifted students.  

At the conclusion of the event , the UQU Vice President for Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Thamir bin Hamdan Al-Harbi extended his thanks to the audience and conveyed to them the greetings of  UQU President Dr. Bakri Bin M'atoog Bin Bakri Assas who welcomed the keenness given to the gifted students. Dr. Al-Harbi lauded the pioneering role of MAWHIBA which represents a wide horizon base for the future of our generations under the directives of our wise leadership and the keenness and attention  given to our sons.