His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, launched the Retired Staff Unit at the Deanship of Faculty Members and Employees Affairs. This unit is concerned with terminating services electronically and communicating with the deanship. This activity took place in the presence of the Dean of Faculty Members and Employees Affairs, Dr. Farid Al-Ghamdi, vice deans, and employees.

This occurred during the honoring ceremony organized by the Deanship of Faculty Members and Employee Affairs at King Abdul-Aziz Historical Hall, Al-Abdiyyah, for about 100 retired staff members of the affiliates of the university, academic staff, and administrative employees during the academic year 1439/1440 A.H.

Gesture of Loyalty

His Excellency the President of the University said, "We convene with colleagues who spent most of their lives serving this institution that disseminates information. Their journey was filled with conferment and efforts that never know fatigue or tiredness." He stressed that it is not a temporary honor, but a renewal of relations and communication with notable people who served this great university for decades. Many generations who served their religion, country and community graduated at their hands and under their responsibility.

His Excellency stated that one of the signs of cultural progress is honoring people for the efforts they have exerted. He indicated that such honoring makes people feel loyalty to the scientific institution they served during their past and into the present and future. His Excellency praised the great efforts they exerted in serving knowledge seekers and the educational process.

Dr. Farid Al-Ghamdi pointed out that the goal of the Retired Staff Unit is offering all services to the affiliates of the university without the need to visit the deanship. This can be done through completing a series of online procedures through the university website. He indicated that the unit seeks to promote communication with the retired staff and provide them with all the services which enable them to take advantage of the university's facilities and programs.

Dr. Al-Ghamdi pointed out that on this day, the Deanship of Faculty Members and Employees Affairs celebrates with a moment of loyalty towards an elite number of the university staff who spared no pains in serving the university and its lofty mission. He also indicated that leaving the job is not the end, but just the start of another stage, in which a person continues their path with the same spirit of sincerity and loyalty in their words and deeds.

Thanks and Gratitude

Faculty member Dr. Ramzi Al-Zahrani talked with heartfelt words that he speaks today, not because he is an eloquent speaker, and this is not the first time, but it may be the last one that differs from the previous times. At this time, he speaks on behalf of his retired fellows.

One of the administrative employees, Mr. Ahmad Sawwas, stated that he served the university for more than four decades since his appointment as a grade 4 employee before the establishment of the university, which was at that time a branch of King Abdulaziz University. He said that he had the pleasure of serving the university from the time of its establishment to the current time, in which it witnesses diversified growth in different fields. He added that he received promotions from grade 4 to grade 11, and got his all career rights.

He motivated his all colleagues to exert great effort and prove their distinction in performing the administrative duties to gain advantages similar to those he had due to serving the university and upgrading its mission and strategies during the coming times. He added that he will keep in contact with the university and maintain his loyalty and affiliation to it.