His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, and the Executive General Manager of King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah Al-Mukkaramah signed, this day, Wednesday 23 Ramadan, 1440 A.H., a memorandum of understanding. The signing took place in the presence of the Acting Dean of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, Dr. Ahmad Qadi, and the vice deans of the institute.

Prof. Bafail clarified that the signing of this memorandum is an outcome of the university's mission and through the use of qualified cadres in the health, academic and research fields, in line with the future vision of the Saudi Kingdom and in a manner that serves the citizens and the residents of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the Guests of Al-Rahman; the pilgrims and performers of Umrah. It is also a result of the intention to provide a field training environment suitable for the university's students, and contribute to the service of the community by participating in volunteering work during the seasons of both Hajj and Umrah. He expressed his thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research and the colleges and institutes of UQU on one side, and the King Abdullah Medical City on the other side, for the efforts they exerted and the effective integrating role they played to enable the signing of this memorandum. Moreover, he pointed out that the agreement comes as a manifestation of the comprehensive renaissance witnessed by the kingdom in the shadow of the unlimited support from our wise leadership (may Allah support them) on all sides, especially in both the health and educational sectors.

On his part, the Executive General Manager of King Abdullah Medical City, Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghubashi, clarified that the King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah Al-Mukkaramah will benefit, through this memorandum, from the work and the academic experiences as well as the available resources that the university has in all its colleges and departments. He also hoped that the cooperation will extend between the city and the university in all fields, and highlighted the efforts and support of the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail.

He added that the agreement aims at bringing benefit to the university through the advanced medical cadres, the laboratories, and the environment prepared for the medical and the scientific research and training that King Abdullah Medical City posses. This is in accordance with the rules regulating the cooperation between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health in the field of health training, the models of cooperation accredited by His Excellency the Minister of Health, as well as the participation and assistance in supporting and developing the scientific research, especially in the different relevant health fields, in accordance with research ethics and the scientific integrity policies.

The agreement aims at offering the opportunity to all UQU's students, each in their specialization, and to the affiliates of the medical city, including the employees or trainees, to avail of the practical, clinical and academic training. It also gives the opportunity to hold seminars, conferences and volunteering and social activities, in accordance with the agreed upon activities and programs. This is in addition to the cooperation in the program of continuing education for the city's affiliates and trainees, according to the applicable regulations and laws. Moreover, through the memorandum, cooperation will be formed in the consulting services, and expertise will be exchanged in the fields of administrative, engineering, environmental, and information technology work. This is in addition to the efforts that will be exerted to upgrade the level of operation, in general.