His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, discussed, at his office today, with Dr. Susanna Karakhanyan, the President of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), the means and standards that ensure the enhancement of the principle of quality in the academic and administrative aspects. The meeting was held in the presence of the University Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr Abdulaziz Suruji, the Dean of the Deanship of Academic Development and Quality, Dr. Muhammad Thabit, and a number of the officials concerned with the development of the university.

His Excellency stressed the importance of boosting quality in the educational, research and administrative process to promote the human and creative outcomes of Umm Al-Qura University, in accordance with the latest international standards. This is in order for them to meet the requirements of the labor market and the developmental plans of the Saudi Kingdom, pointing out that achievement of quality in all the services provided by the university is a strategic demand of all the beneficiaries.

Dr. Susanna Karakhanyan remarked that the recent years witnessed unprecedented challenges in the higher education system, which led to the emergence of many opportunities. She also pointed out that Umm Al-Qura University possess advanced technical and human environment and capabilities through which it can enhance its scientific and academic quality, in accordance with the latest international specifications.

It is worth mentioning that approximately 39 academic programs in UQU have been accredited by a number of international authorities and institutions. This is in addition to UQU obtaining institutional accreditation from the National Center for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA) and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), which is a world-wide association that was established in 1991 and includes nearly 300 organizations active in the theory and practice of quality assurance in higher education.