Umm Al-Qura University, represented by the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, on Tuesday, organized the ‘Umm Al-Qura University Heading Towards Innovation’ Forum, in conjunction with the Global Entrepreneurship Week which aims to support the idea of entrepreneurial innovation and motivate the university community towards innovation. The forum was held under the auspices of His Excellency the UQU President, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, in the presence of His Excellency the Vice President for Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Hani Ghazi, as well as the university's male and female affiliates, at King Abdul-Aziz Historical Hall, Al-Abdiyyah,

The forum witnessed the signing of a qualitative agreement between the Institute of Consulting Research and Studies and the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to launch the Executive Diploma in Innovation Management. This agreement contributes to the promotion of creative thinking for university employees, and is in line with the plan of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, based on innovation through the provision of educational and training programs that meet the aspirations of the university. The institute has already launched the Master in Entrepreneurship program, making UQU the second university in the Saudi Kingdom to have this program.

The forum also witnessed the launching of two competitions: Student Graduation Projects, and Entrepreneurship for University Colleges. The institute continues its support towards the second competition for the third year, having achieved high quality innovation in the past two years, under the supervision of a noble selection of UQU faculty members.

In its dialogue sessions, the forum further discussed topics related to the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia, and the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation under the New University Law recently approved by the Council of Ministers. In addition, it discussed the conditions of graduates and the compatibility of employment opportunities with the outcomes of higher education.

On his part, the Dean of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Muwaffaq Uriijah, stressed that the institute, in cooperation with the university, offers a different and modern model of training and qualification in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation, and that it seeks to achieve the aspirations and ambitions of the university administration to support the entrepreneurial mindset.