On Wednesday, April 13, 2016, the UQU President, Dr. Bakri bin Maatooq Assas, inaugurated the First Pharmacy Conference. Organized by the UQU College of Pharmacy jointly with the Security Forces, the conference was held under the theme: "From Research Lab to Clinical Use".

The two-day conference was held at the Security Forces Hospital in Makkah. It was attended by the Supervisor-General of Health Services in Makkah and Head of Health Services at the Security Forces Hospital, Col. Dr. Mishari bin Faraj al-Oteibi, dean of the UQU College of Pharmacy, Dr. Raed Jastaniah, and dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Anmar Nasser, as well as the hospital's senior officials. Participating in the conference, also, were 200 researchers and scholars from all Saudi health sectors and universities, along with students of the UQU College of Pharmacy.

After initiating the ceremony with a Quranic recitation, a presentation on the Security Forces Hospital was displayed. It followed that the Dean of UQU College of Pharmacy, Dr. Jastaniah, delivered an address emphasizing scientific research in the field of pharmacy, and introducing the audience with some of the latest development in that domain.

He thanked the UQU President, Dr. Assas, for inaugurating the conference. He extended earnest thanks to Col. Dr. al-Oteibi for his keen interest in organizing such conferences to come up with recommendations and experiences that boost pharmaceutical research and profession.

 After that, the Supervisor-General of Health Services in Makkah and Head of Health Services at the Security Forces Hospital, Col. Dr. Mishari bin Faraj al-Oteibi, addressed the conference. He stressed the importance of cooperation between Umm al-Qura University (UQU) and the Ministry of Interior (MOI), as represented in Makkah Security Forces Hospital.

He underlined cooperation between the two institutions to exchange medical knowledge and experiences. He lauded the keen interest shown by the UQU President, Dr. Assas, in joint work with all health and societal sectors for the advantage of citizens.

For his part, Dr. Assas, in his address before the conference, underlined the importance of such conferences and scientific seminars, the outcome of which reflects positively on the performance of students of health and medical colleges. He also highlighted the necessity of exchanging experiences amongst medical scholars and researchers.

"This era is the era of science, technology and innovation," he said, calling for paying closer attention to research, and converting studies into patents and medical products that serve the community, and humanity at large.

Dr. Assas made clear that UQU welcomes cooperation with all health sectors and facilities, with the aim of serving both Saudi citizens and foreign guests: be they pilgrims or residents. He stressed the importance of making optimal use of all medical experiments, and exchanging experiences between the university on the one hand and the various Saudi health sectors.

The UQU President lauded the unstinting support that all government agencies, including UQU, receive from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, HRH the Crown Prince, and HRH the Deputy Crown Prince, may Allah protect them. Thanks to such support, outstanding health and medical services are offered to the Saudi citizen.

Dr. Assas mentioned the undeniable development of the health services provided throughout the Kingdom as a testimony to the generosity of such support. He particularly praised the MOI health sectors, as represented by the Security Forces hospitals, one of which hosted the conference: that is the Security Forces Hospital in Makkah. He valued the efforts exerted by Makkah Security Forces Hospital to serve citizens, and provide high-quality health care.

He then honored participants, speakers and organizers of the conference. At last, the UQU President, Dr. Bakri bin Maatooq Assas, made an inspection tour through the premises, facilities, and sections of the hospital. He was accompanied by the Supervisor-General of Health Services in Makkah and Head of Health Services at the Security Forces Hospital, Col. Dr. Mishari bin Faraj al-Oteibi, the Director of Medical Affairs at the hospital, Col. Dr. Khaled Hassan al-Zahrani, Director of Public Relations and Media, Col. Abdulwahhab Muhammad al-Qurashi, and a number of the hospital senior officials.