His Excellency Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, President of Umm Al-Qura University, launched the Blackboard System and the Umm Al-Qura University Award for Electronic Learning in a ceremony organized by the Deanship of E-Learning and Distance Education, in the presence of the Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Aziz bin Rashad Surujy; the Vice President of Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Thamir bin Himdan Al-Harbi; the Vice-President for Female Student Affairs, Dr. Sarah bint Omar Al-Khuly; and other deans supportive of e-Learning systems. The ceremony took place in the King Abdul-Aziz Historical Support Hall.

The ceremony began with a Qur'anic recitation. Then His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Hatem Al-Mutairi, the Dean of E-Learning and Distance Education, gave a speech in which he stressed that the deanship works according to a strategic plan to provide e-Learning services through a technical infrastructure and advanced learning environment. He said it contributes to the provision of integrated solutions in the field of software development, access of content through the digital warehouse, and the promotion of teamwork and quality assurance through the continuous development of e-Courses in line with the Ministry's orientations and the strategic objectives of our blessed university.

Dr. Al-Mutairi pointed out that the deanship seeks to develop its work system through its work team to provide a variety of services, including training programs for students, in order to enhance their educational and technical skills, as well as the development of academic staff through the Certified Trainer program and the technical training meetings.

Next, Dr. Hana' Abdul-Rahim Yamani, the Vice Dean of E-Learning and Distance Education, made a statistical presentation on the use of the e-Learning system at the university, indicating that 55,000 students are using the e-Learning system and there are more than 35,000 electronic courses. She pointed out that the Deanship of E-Learning has carried out approximately 4,800 electronic tests during the past two academic years, while the number of digital files uploaded to the system is approximately 135,000 and more than 5,000 virtual classrooms have been used during the past two years.

Then Dr. Sarah bint Omar Al-Khuli delivered a speech in which she explained that the university is witnessing development and progress in the use of technology, in both its administrative work and the educational process. She added that the university has advanced from a period of indoctrination to a period of creativity, interaction, and skills development, increasing the concept of individual or self-learning, especially in the field of e-Learning.

Following this, Dr. Yasser bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Hazimy, the Vice-Dean of Academic Development and Community Service, gave a detailed presentation on the Umm Al-Qura University Award for E-Learning, explaining that it is divided into three branches: 'The use of e-Learning systems', which aims to motivate faculty members to use the tools of the e-Learning systems to facilitate their daily tasks, and to encourage students to make the best use of modern technology in the learning process; 'Developing e-Curricula', which aims to motivate faculty members to share their e-Curriculum by submitting it to the electronic learning portal accessible on the university website; and 'Distinction in enriching content through the SHMS platform', which aims to encourage faculty members to contribute to enriching the open content through the Saudi Resources Network, SHMS.

Dr. Abdul-Aziz bin Rashad Al-Surujy, the Vice President for Educational Affairs, gave a speech explaining how the Blackboard system contributes to the educational environment through the latest technological tools in the e-Learning process. He pointed out that the deanship team works very hard to carry out these initiatives that contribute to the service of the university community. He also noted that the Umm Al-Qura University Award for E-Learning encourages academic staff to take the initiative to make use of the modern technologies harnessed by the university administration to improve educational outcomes and help Umm Al-Qura University to be one of the leading and most advanced universities.

Then Dr. Ahmed bin Muhammad Humayd, the Vice Dean of E-Learning and Distance Education for Technical Affairs, gave a presentation on the Blackboard electronic learning system, pointing out that it allows students and faculty members to communicate with the curriculum outside the university walls, wherever and whenever they wish. The Blackboard system provides many tools to navigate through the contents of the curriculum, surf the educational parts of the scientific material, and interact with them synchronically and asynchronously.

He also pointed out that the Blackboard system contains a lot of programs that provide faculty members with the ability to easily design and create dynamic digital and interactive curricula. After uploading the curriculum content, the system allows the teacher to connect each part of it to enriching activities such as discussions, forums, delivery folders, grading management program, and grades distribution.

Prof. Bafail then launched the Blackboard system and gave a speech expressing his appreciation for the wise leadership's (may Allah safeguard it) support of the educational process and the administrative, research, and technical environment. He stressed that education must keep up to date with modern technology in order to improve the university outcomes in accordance with the requirements of the labor market to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

His Excellency the UQU President honored the five best colleges in terms of use of the e-Learning system. The College of Design ranked first, Makkah Community College ranked second, Jamoum University College ranked third, the College of Computer and Information Systems in Al-Qunfudhah ranked fourth, and the College of Islamic Economics and Finance ranked fifth. His Excellency also honored the three best colleges that contributed to producing the best electronic course. The College of Judicial Studies and Regulations ranked first with their inheritance course, the College of Applied Science ranked second with their advanced theoretical methods course, and the College of Shari`ah and Islamic Studies ranked third with their Prophet's (PBUH) biography course.

His Excellency also honored the academic staff who contributed to the development of the university's e-Courses, as well as the Deanship of E-Learning and Distance Education's affiliates, including the vice deans, heads of departments, and employees.