The President of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), Dr. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, met on Thursday, 21 Shawwal 1439AH, corresponding with 5 July 2018, with the UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Simon Collis, and his accompanying delegation at Dr. Bafail’s office. The delegation included Ms. Nassira Ashraf, Advisor to the Ambassador; Mr. Kabir Rahman, Deputy Consul General; Mr. Malik Edwards, Advisor to the Ambassador; and Mr. Salah Taha, Media Officer. The meeting took place in the presence of the Vice President of UQU for Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Hani bin Othman Ghazi; the Vice Dean of the Institute of Arabic Language for non-Native Speakers, Dr. Ahmed Al-Deroubi, and the Vice Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Omar Sonbol.

At the beginning of the meeting, the UQU President welcomed the British Ambassador and his accompanying delegation, praising their visit to the University. He then gave an introductory overview of the University, its branches, and scientific, educational and research aspects, explaining its role towards the Muslim students it receives every year, through providing educational opportunities for them in the Arabic and Islamic colleges as well as the Institute of  Arabic Language for non-Native Speakers. The government, represented in the Ministry of Education, offers these students scholarships at the University. Dr. Bafail went on to explain that UQU welcomes many British students who receive their education at Islamic and Arabic colleges, adding that they all receive proper attention that allows them to continue their studies. 

For his part, the British Ambassador extended his thanks and appreciation to Dr. Bafail for his warm reception and hospitality. He stressed the need for continued cooperation between the University and British universities in the cultural, scientific and research fields, as well as continued participation in the activities of the University which the embassy also finds interesting. He also emphasized the great role of Saudi Arabian universities, especially UQU, for everything they offer in terms of sciences in various fields, hoping that this cooperation and coordination between the University and the British Embassy in the Kingdom would serve the aspirations and hopes of everyone.

The UQU President concluded the meeting by offering the British Ambassador and his accompanying delegation souvenirs