His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, has stressed that women are key partners in the leadership of the university and the realization of Saudi vision 2030, which aims to empower women so they can serve their religion and homeland. He pointed out that there is a committee composed of men and women to nominate qualified and competent persons for leading posts in the colleges and departments of the university.

This statement was made during Prof. Bafail’s participation in celebrating the first phase of the Integrated Leader Program that is implemented by the Deanship of Academic Development and Quality for 77 leading male and female figures. This event was held in the presence of the UQU Vice President for Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Hani bin Uthman Ghazi, the UQU Vice President for Female Student Affairs, Dr. Sarah bint Omar Al-Khuli, as well as the Dean of Academic Development and Quality, Dr. Muhammad Thabit.

His Excellency added that the university administration will provide support to all teaching staff: offering the required training courses, facilitating their participation in international conferences, and enabling them to take sabbatical leave to use their time fully for research. This support is meant to promoting the status of the university at the local and international levels. He also said that the university would support the staff and administrative personnel as they constitute important elements in serving the academic and educational environment. A program has been developed for them entitled "Professional Practitioner" to develop their performance. This program is in its final stage.

Dr. Hani Ghazi indicated that the UQU Vice Presidency for Development and Entrepreneurship works on the preparation and development of the university leadership through the first program, namely, the Integrated Leader Program, through which leadership training is conducted in the areas of personal productivity and personal, motivational and strategic leadership. This program is offered in collaboration with the LMI. He added that the Deanship of Academic Development and Quality is in the process of preparing for the launch of a second program, entitled "The Effective Leader," which will target 100 male and female vice deans of academic colleges and supporting deanships and institutes.