His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, has outlined developmental steps to address the most important axis in the educational process at the university: the student. As such, he has established a special advisory board headed by the Dean of Student Affairs and consisting of the heads of student clubs. The board shall discuss the comments received from students and receive proposals. These comments and proposals will then be submitted to Prof Bafail each semester for his opinion and approval. This stems from the desire to realize the university's new strategy in dealing with the university community, keep pace with developments in the educational process, provide a suitable environment for students, and realize the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030.

The university students have become the most important focal point of the university administration under the leadership of Prof. Bafail since the first day he undertook the responsibility of managing the university.

The first meeting was held in his office today with the heads of the student clubs. They discussed the most important and urgent needs of the clubs. Also present at the meeting were Dr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Suruji, the University Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr. Omar Sunbul, the Dean of Student Affairs, and the vice deans.

The main issue that arose in the meeting was the need to prepare and qualify the supervisors of the student clubs through training courses that suit their job tasks. There is also a need to improve the quality of the students’ food, and to establish a building for the clubs and a hall for sports activities. Other issues raised at the meeting included forming a media team to highlight the student activities, the restoration of major university programs, such as the ‘UQU Poet’ and other popular competitions, and the restoration of programs that enable students to pay for electronic devices in installments. The meeting also discussed the need to enter into partnership contracts with stores and cafes that are popular with students, and establish an internal rest area and a camp for student activities.

It is worth noting that when Prof. Bafail held his first meeting with the student clubs, he promised to fulfill their requests out of his belief in the importance of the university students and their role in the educational process.