Prof. Dr. Naser Al-Hawari, Medical Genetics Professor at the College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), gave a lecture entitled, "Contribution of Related Genetics in the Hazardous Neurodevelopmental Autism Disorder among Saudi Children," within the framework of the Thirty-Ninth Scientific Meeting "Genetics and Diseases." The event was held on Thursday 24^th Safar 1438H (24^th November 2016) morning at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh.

In the lecture Prof. Dr. Al-Hawari shed the light on the truth of Autism. He demonstrated a number of significant points upon which the research was based. Moreover, he clarified the objectives of such research project and the important results thereof. Such results would largely contribute to the identification of the genetic origin of Autism in KSA, which would greatly influence the innovation of new genetic treatment mechanisms for such hazardous disorder. In addition, Prof. Dr. Naser Al-Hawari spoke about the Bioethics and Patients Committee at the College of Medicine, and the procedures taken thereby. He also talked about the College's Scientific Research Deanship which revised all scientific researches performed at the research laboratories at UQU College of Medicine.

It is noteworthy that the results demonstrated in such meeting were related to the King- Abdulaziz- City- for-Science-and-Technology- sponsored research project.  Moreover, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al-Soweilam, Vice-President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology for Scientific Research Support, explained that through its programs, the City supported 1497 researches in the public-health-connected domains, especially Genetics, at a cost of more than one billion and 278 million Riyals to gain the largest number of benefits form such researches. On the other hand, Dr. Anmar Nasser, Dean of the College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), commented on such an effective participation saying, "It cannot be denied that King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology should be thanked for its support for many large and small research projects through the past period. This really enriched the scientific and research outcome of the College's staff members. This also had a positive influence on scientific and research development at UQU in general and the College of Medicine in specific." Dr. Anmar Nasser added that he was looking forward to continuing the City's support for research projects in the coming period, so as to contribute to KSA Vision 2030 future ambitions, and fulfill the economic and developmental renaissance through best investment of innovative ideas, scientific capacities and promising human and laboratory resources in KSA.