President of  Umm Al-Qura University (UQU)  Prof. Abdullah Omar Bafail, has launched today morning Sunday Dhul-Qe'dah 2, 1439 H corresponding to July 15, 2018, the summer training program for the male and female teachers of the Ministry of Education (MOE) carried out by the College of Education in the period from Dhul-Qe'dah 2-27 1439 H. During this program, (44) training courses will be held for MOE’s assistant directors, educational supervisors, headmasters, mentors, and teachers. The launching ceremony took place in the College of Education's Hall at the University campus in Abdyia in the presence of the UQU Vice President for Development and Entrepreneurship Dr. Hani bin Osman Ghazi, Director General of Makkah Education Department Mr. Mohamed bin Mahdi Al-Harthi, Advisor to the UQU President and Supervisor General of General Department of Projects Dr. Mohamed bin Wasil Al-Hazmi and the Dean of the College of Education Dr. Ali bin Moslih Al-Matrafi. 

After initiating the ceremony with Quranic recitation, the Dean of the College of Education Dr. Ali bin Moslih Al-Matrafi delivered a speech, in which he welcomed the UQU President Prof. Abdullah Bafail, the Director General of Makkah Education Department Mr. Mohamed bin Mahdi Al-Harthi and the audience. He said that the College of Education as a historical heritage, strategic reservoir and educational leader at the local, regional and Arab world levels in the educational field is reckoned a strategic partner for the Ministry of Education in the programs of teachers preparation, qualification and training in addition to its qualitative excellence in graduate studies program and the training programs. "The training department in the college provides quality training programs and courses for all educational bodies", he expounded. 

He underscored that professional development of the male and female teachers is not limited to study classes but includes also developing their skills with diverse knowledge and activities outside the teaching environment and the continuous diagnosis of their performance, objectives, and achievements within short periods. He added that teachers' preparation and development is a very crucial process to meet the basic needs of the community, upgrade educational level and ensure their continuity in the science and knowledge fields.    

Within the same vein, Dr. Al-Matrafi said the program comes as part of the basic role undertaken by the college within the educational system and the ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Education in the framework of teacher preparation, rehabilitation and training to achieve sustainable development and offer the educational leader, mentor and teacher a wealth of experiences and skills in line with the highest international standards in the training and professional practices. 

He went on to add that the program targets 1700 educational leaders in the various scientific majors using educational courses to be provided by more than 200 trainers.   He then lauded the support of the UQU President Prof. Abdullah Bafail for harnessing all the human and technical capacities of the university to make the program a success. He also lauded the efforts exerted by the Advisor to the UQU President and Supervisor General of General Department of Projects Dr. Mohamed bin Wasil Al-Hazmi and his cooperation with the college. It did not escape his notice to extend his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Director General of Makkah Education Department Mr. Mohamed bin Mahdi Al-Harthi.

For his part, the UQU President Prof. Abdullah Omar Bafail delivered his speech in which he praised the support attached by the wise leadership to the general and university education in line with the modern renaissance, growth, and prosperity witnessed in the rein of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud and the Heir Apparent HRH Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdul-Aziz. He added that proceeding from the Kingdom Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020, the education comes as a basic element in creating the sought-after change and keeping pace with the desired aspirations. "In this sense, the national responsibility of the Ministry of Education is formed and the community role of Umm Al-Qura University is highlighted", he elaborated. 

He then announced the launching of the summer training program for the male and female teachers of the Ministry of Education. He said that the ambitious plan of the Ministry of Education focused on teacher and his preparation and rehabilitation using continuous and specialized training program, which contributes to achieving needs of the educational system, and harnesses the 21st century skills in all educational fields as an important step to provide systematic opportunities of continuous education for educational cadres in all fields. 

Concluding his speech, Prof. Bafail lauded the Minister of Education for putting his confidence in Umm Al-Qura University represented by the College of Education to participate in this constructive project. He also extended his thanks and appreciation to the Dean of the College of Education Dr. Ali Al-Matriaf, the vice deans and those in charge of the training wishing all success to male and female trainees to Achieve their desires.