His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah Bafail, launched yesterday the second training program in which 100 academics representing the vice deans of the different colleges, both male and female, took part. This program is organized by the Deanship of Development and Quality under the title, 'Effective Leader'. The activity took place in the presence of the Vice President for Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Hani Ghazi, the Dean of Academic Development and Quality, Dr. Muhammad Thabit, and the Vice Dean for Training, Dr. Sa`id Kabrah.

His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University stressed that the training programs help the leader overcome difficulties that he may encounter in his administrative work. He pointed out that the goal of these programs is to learn about the modern methods in administration sciences and arts, and create new ideas that help to develop and improve the university's work environment in a way that is in line with its strategic plan and the Saudi vision of 2030. His Excellency said, "Personnel will be provided with all the means and methods to increase the positive effect on the educational and research outcomes of the university and upgrade its administrative environment."

Dr. Hani Ghazi praised the care and support of His Excellency the President of the University in increasing the number of training and developing programs for all the affiliates of the university, explaining that more than 500 leaders and academics of the university will attend such programs during the academic year 1439/1440 A.H. The second training program of the 'Effective Leader' is based on the strategic plan of the university. He indicated that all the packages of the training programs were designed according to the requirements and challenges that the leader may encounter in university education institutions. Moreover, these programs will be carried out by experts who are specialized in training and development.

Dr. Muhammad Thabit, the Dean of Development and Quality, stated, "The Effective Leader Program targets 100 leaders from the colleges' vice deans. It will be implemented during the current semester through 15 activities classified in four tracks related to leadership standards, workshops, transfer of leadership experience, and guidance."

The program manager, Dr. Sa`d Al-Mas`udi, pointed out that the program was designed according to the needs of the university and based on actual need of the academic community. The program was developed in light of comparisons with five different examples from different international institutions in the field of education as case studies. Thus, the program's approach will combine between providing information, enhancing skills, and conveying experiences in various and multiple methods.