Umm Al-Qura University Vice-President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Thamer bin Hamdan bin Gaber Al-Harby launched, on Sunday, 12^th Rabi' al-Awwal 1438H, “Ataa Initiative” (Research volunteer and Ataa researches), on behalf of his Highness Umm Al-Qura University President, Dr. Bakry bin Matuq Assass.

The event, organized by Deanship of Scientific Research, was held at the Support Hall at the university campus in Abdiya in presence of the UQU Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Aziz bin Rashad Al-Srouji, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Ahdal, the Dean of Scientific Research and deanship staff. Females attended at Khogeer Hall at the graduate studies deanship at Al-Zaher Girls Campus.

The event began with reciting verses of the Holy Qur'an. Then, Vice-President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Thamer bin Hamdan bin Gaber Al-Harby welcomed the present.

Gaber Al-Harby clarified, on his word, that interest in volunteer and voluntaries is an effective social indicator of communities' progress

The university aspires, through this initiative, to achieve objectives of volunteer which are included at the Saudi 2030 Vision, as the university will participate in conducting original researches that serve different fields of volunteer.

Al-Ahdal stressed, on his word, that both Dr. Suhail Bajmal and Dr. Sumaya Ezzat Sharaf are the originators of this proposal with the assistance of (30) faculty members at different specializations, particularly as some of them are members at several relevant organizations.

Former dean, Dr. Faisal bin Ahmad Alaf, talked about stages of this initiative since it was an idea till the current progress.

Then, Dr. Hala bint Said Al-Amoudi, Dean of University Studies for Female at Al-Zaher Campus, talked about the importance of volunteer and its effect on charity works and enhancement of spreading volunteer culture.

Al-Amoudi praised efforts of the initiative members that managed to translate the idea into action and congratulated the on this success.

The Vice-Deanship of Scientific Research for Quality and Development, Dr. Hanadi bent Muhammad Behiri, stressed the importance of this initiative, particularly for students, to build a generation experienced in this field that has a positive future effect on all segments.

Vice-deanship of College of Education, Dr. Sumeya bint Ezat Sharaf, gave detailed explanation of the initiative stages, its pivots, mission, objectives and importance as well as future projects and research priorities.

In the same context, the College of Nursing Dean, Dr. Ayman JawaherJi, talked about performance indicators and their classifications and objectives as well as the measurement period.

Dr. Tahani Al-Subait talked about projects executed within the initiative and building the electronic identity of the UQU researchers.

At the end, a voluntary female student, Asrar Al-Umairy, took the podium and thanked, on her word, all those who participated in this initiative.