On Tuesday, Duh al-Hijjah 26, 1437H, the University College in Al-Laith held “Newcomer Students Forum” for the academic year 1437/1438H, under the auspices of Dr. Bakri bin Maatouq Assas, the UQU President. Held at the main hall at the University College in Al-Laith, the forum was attended by Dr. Hamed Al-Shanbari, the Dean of the University College in Al-Laith, the Dean of the College of Computer and Commissioned Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Muhammad Al-Zahrani, as well as the vice-deans of the colleges, the heads of the departments, and the newcomer and the preparatory-year students at the University College in Al-Laith.

The ceremony began with Qur’anic recitation, followed by the Saudi Royal Anthem, and a visual presentation on the biography of the Founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Aal-Saud –May Allah have mercy on his soul-, on the occasion of the eighty-sixth commemoration for the unification of the KSA.

On their parts, the deans of the departments made introductory speeches on their departments, the academic plans, and the means of communication with the department members. Followed, the Students Affairs Unit made a presentation on students’ rights and duties at the university level. On his part, Dr. Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Maliki, the Vice-dean for Educational Affairs, addressed the difference between the university level and the public education level, and explained the education systems at the university level and how to deal with the electronic services offered to the students, and their dates throughout the semester.

Moreover, Dr. Hamed Al-Shanbari, the Dean of the University College, gave a parental talk in which he congratulated the attendees on the occasion of the eighty-sixth Saudi National Day, and welcomed the newcomer students on campus. Then he urged the students to carry out their responsibilities and duties towards Allah, at the first place, and towards their families and themselves. In addition, he mentioned the great support and efforts exerted by the state to spread knowledge until the university-level education became available in all governorates of our beloved country. Over and above, he pointed out that four colleges are existed in Al-Laith governorate, at which 8,700 students are enrolled.

Furthermore, Dr. Al-Shanbari stressed on the importance of the undergraduate level as it is considered crucial stage and crossroads in the student’s life, especially the freshman students. Therefore, he urged the students to be very keen on making every effort to stay on the right path, and not to go astray. He also encouraged them to take advantage of the human and material resources offered to them by the university and invest their time and capabilities in acquiring education, so as to, in turn, benefit their families and their home country that offers them free-of-charge and quality education, and supports them by all means.

Besides, Dr. Al-Shanbari urged the students to positively communicate with their professors, and maintain the facilities and properties of the college. He also stated that he, personally, welcomes students’ remarks and accepts their opinions openly and transparently. At last, Dr. Al-Shanbari ended his speech by praising Allah –SWT- and extending thanks to Dr. Assas for his continuous support.

On his part, Dr. Al-Zahrani made a presentation on the College of Computer and the College of Engineering and their programs, and welcomed the newly enrolled students.

This was followed by Dr. Assas’s talk to the students, via telephone, in which he congratulated everyone on the eighty-sixth Saudi National Day, and spoke about the importance of learning and education in the life of the human, and the great role played by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Aal-Saud –May Allah protect him- to support education in every corner on this blessed land, in order to build the leaders whom would create a prosperous future for the next generations.  Further, he urged the students to adhere to the Islamic morality, be role models for their peers, and invest their time and the facilities provided to them by the university to achieve their country’s aspirations.

As the forum drew to a close, giveaways were distributed to the students.