President of Umm Al Qura University (UQU) Dr. Bakri Bin M'atoog Bin Bakri Assas on Thursday, Rabi' Al Awwal 2, 1438H opened the 12th Meeting of Graduate Studies Deans that was hosted by the UQU Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Deanship under the theme "Contributions of Saudi Postgraduate Studies Deanships to Achieve Goals of Saudi Vision 2030".

It was attended by It was attended by Secretary General of Committee acting as the Higher Education Council Dr. Mohamed bin Abdulaziz Al Saleh and UQU Vice Deans at King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Hall in Al-Abdiyah.

The activities started after reciting few verses of the Holy Quran. Dean of the Postgraduate Studies Professor Salih bin Abdullah Al-Firaih delivered a speech on the occasion talking about the role played by the deanships and study programs. He asserted that the deanships need a new vision for their roles compatible with the Saudi Vision 2030

For his part, Dr. Al Saleh said the regular meetings resulted in a list of recommendations and solutions to improve the regulations of postgraduate studies deanships.

He said the UQU has successfully chosen the correct theme for this year's meeting to focus on the deanships' role in achieving the Saudi Vision 2030. He said:  The deanships of the postgraduate studies play a major role in this regard.

He added the universities have to think over again to direct these researches to the best of the country.

He called for reconsidering reason behind some theoretical researches, adding the focus should be shifted to the applied studies in order to produce a final product that serves the citizen and the nation.

Al Saleh asserted that the deanships have to realize the principle of competitiveness stated by the Saudi Vision 2030 by giving the floor for talented students and translate their skills into community services.

Dr. Al Saleh's speech covered the new university law, saying the higher education council and universities law has no place now after the royal decrees issued to create the Higher Education Council.

He said the temp committee was formed to act as a council under direct support of the Education Minister in order to enact a new law for universities. He said the new law takes into consideration many visions and goals included in the Saudi Vision 2030.

 The new system gives universities more space of independence and decision making n financial, administrative and academic matters, he said, adding it would push for applying the principle of competitiveness through partnerships with private sectors and changing researches into useful products.

Also, it gives chances for universities to lead and have the administrative independence in choosing qualified staff and improve operations, he said. A new mechanism would be in place for nomination and appointment, Al Saleh said, noting the new law open the door for skilled members from outside the university into the councils.

In the same context, Dr. Assas welcomed the attendees, reiterating the importance of giving recommendations in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 in order to improve the research outputs.

He said the university development plan would be dependent on scientific research and improvement of its mechanism according to the requirements and social needs, especially, the scientific specialties that serve human beings.

He asserted that the education ministry is keen on putting the Saudi universities in a position they deserve. He hailed support given by King Salman and government to achieve the aspired goals.  

Later, the sessions were held under the chairmanship of Dr. Al Saleh. The first session was chaired by Vice Presidency for Educational Affairs and Dr. Al-Srouji. The first research paper was presented by Dr. Al Saleh under the title "Attracting skilled students from outside the kingdom to enroll in the postgraduate programs."

The second research paper was presented by Dean of Postgraduate Studies at King Saud University Dr. Tareq Al Rayes under the theme "Reengineering of Postgraduate Operations and Procedures at King Saud University to Achieve the Saudi Vision 2030 Goals".

The third research was presented by Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Taif University under the title "Vision and International Ranking of Universities".

In the meantime, a fourth research paper was presented by Dean of Postgraduate Studies at King Abdulaziz University Dr. Saudi Al Samli under the name "Directing Theses and Research Projects to Achieve Goals of the Vision 2030."

The fifth paper was presented at the end of the first session by Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Al Jouf University under the theme "Civil Service and Program Ranking in light of the Al Jouf University Experience."

The second session was held under the chairmanship of Vice President for Academic Development and Community Services Dr. Hany bin Othman bin Yassin Ghazi. During the session, Dean of Postgraduate Studies at University of Tabuk Dr. Ahmed Al Masoudi presented a research paper titled "Suggested Plan for University of Tabuk's Postgraduate Studies as a Simplified Model to Activate the Saudi Vision 2030."

In another research paper, Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Northern Borders University Dr. Abdel Samad Marghalani briefed the meeting on a study named "Dimensions of Contripution by the Postgraduate Studies Deanship in Achieving the Goals of Saudi Vision 2030."

The third paper was submitted by Dean of Postgraduate Studies at King Saud University Dr. Tareq Al Rayes under the title "Contributions of Postgraduate Studies Deanship at King Saud University to Achieve Goals of the Saudi Vision 2030."

In the same context, Dr. Abdurrahman Al Mahous, the Dean of Postgraduate Studies at University of Dammam presented the fourth research study on "Postgraduate Studies between the Systems Review and Financial Balance."

In the fifth paper, Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University Dr. Naser Al Manei' discussed "Contributions by Postgraduate Studies at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Achieving the Goals of Saudi Vision 2030."

The second session closed discussions by another paper presented by Dr. Al-Furaih from Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) about "Boosting Scientific Integrity and Transparency in Making Scientific Studies."