The UQU Vice-President for Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Hani bin Uthman Ghazi, inaugurated the Awareness Program for People with Special Needs at Al-Zaidi Festival (2), organized by the Special Education Department, on Thursday 6 Rabi` Al-Thani, 1440 A.H. It was held with the participation of about 30 governmental and non-governmental organizations, in the presence of Dr. Ali bin Muslih Al-Matrifi, the Dean of the College of Education, and Dr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Ghamdi, the Deputy Secretary General and the Executive Director of the Makkah Neighborhood Centers Association.

Dr. Abdul-Hadi Al-Dhiyabi, the Head of the Special Education Department, said they were honored to hold the activity in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, in which a number of bodies related to people with special needs took part. He affirmed that 100 consultations were offered to families of those with special needs during the activity.

Dr. Ali Al-Matrifi pointed out that the College of Education seeks, through its educational and research mission, to develop the levels of educational services in line with the technical programs and their modern applications that contribute to the service of people with disabilities in order to ensure graduates capable of meeting their needs.

He added that since the approval of its programs in 1432 A.H., the College of Education, represented by the Department of Special Education, has qualified about 3,000 students in the areas of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, hearing impairment, learning difficulties, and early intervention in the field of special education.

His Excellency the Vice-President of the University for Development and Entrepreneurship honored the students of the Special Education Department and the members of Makkah Club for People with Special Needs for the sports achievements they made in West Asia and the Arab world, in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

He stressed that the university's celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities comes within the framework of its social responsibilities and the interest of His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, UQU President, to people with special needs. He said, "We are working to establish a center to serve people with special needs and provide all their academic requirements and create a friendly environment within the university for them to meet their needs and achieve their goals."

The Awareness Program for People with Special Needs is held in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which was determined by the United Nations in 1992 to be held on December 3rd each year, with the aim of promoting the social and developmental rights of people with special needs. The theme of the 2018 celebration was "Empowering Persons with Disabilities and Ensuring Inclusion and Equality" as part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan.