Umm Al-Qura University, represented by the Deanship of Faculty Members and Employees Affairs and in collaboration with the Professional Practitioner Center, launched a program entitled, 'Professional Practitioner', to contribute in developing the skills of 100 of its affiliates. Under the patronage of His Excellency the UQU President, Prof. Abdullah Bafail, the event was held and attended by the Dean of the Faculty Members and Employees Affairs, Dr. Farid Al-Ghamdi, and was presented by Dr. Hani Muhammad Al-Khudari and Prof. Rida Abdul-Aal.

Dr. Farid Al-Ghamdi explained that this program gained the interest of His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah Bafail. It aims at training, qualifying, and developing the scientific and cognitive skills of the affiliates of the university.

He added that the program will last for 8 months, and contains four themes. During this period, participants will learn how to develop their performance in self-management, building their ability to deal with the requirements of work, and developing their cognitive level. The first theme aims at developing the skills of adapting to the work environment, and acquiring the skills of planning, organization and continuing education.

The second theme deals with outstanding performance to develop the ability to introduce outstanding outcomes and achievements in work, acquire the skills of integrating different work processes, crystallize results and permanent development, and achieve work efficiently. Participants will learn, during the third theme, the developing thinking; i.e. how to develop one's ability to think logically. It aims at motivating the students to acquire the ability to develop their thinking when carrying out work. It also aims at gaining the skills of thinking methodologically, solving problems, decision making, innovation and creativity.

The fourth theme covers the skills of active cooperation. It aims at promoting effective communication with the surrounding parties to achieve work output and outcomes with a team spirit. It also aims at teaching the skills of communication, serving beneficiaries, and motivating others.

This event represents the beginning of the launch of the program in the Saudi universities, with the aim to localize knowledge and professional practice. This contributes to developing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Saudi universities to enable them to fulfill the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.