Umm Al-Qura University seeks to strengthen its leading role in keeping pace with modern international strategies of learning and develop its institutional performance through its participation in the First Forum for Arab World University Leaders: "Strategies for Excellence in University Performance." The forum was held by the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO) in collaboration with the Association of Arab Universities at the organization's Cairo headquarters. It lasted for two days; Sunday and Monday. Seven countries participated in the forum: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Somalia, Jordan, and Palestine.

The forum discussed current trends in the performance of Arab universities in light of international transformations, as they are considered to be developmental institutions that have strategic dimensions. The forum also discussed the role of university leaders in preparing developmental plans to produce a generation of graduates who enjoy great cognitive and scientific skills that enable them to enter the labor market. Representatives of educational systems participated with their initiatives and suggestions related to the content and themes of the forum.

Representative of Umm Al-Qura University at the forum, Dr. Sarah Al-Khouli, the UQU Vice President for Female Student Affairs, highlighted the development of Saudi universities among their counterparts in different educational aspects, scientific research skills, community service, and the role of the Saudi woman and their status on the national and international levels. She also stressed the importance of the forum as a meeting point for university leaders in the Arab World.