During the past week, Umm Al-Qura University witnessed the visit of a high-level delegation from the QS World University Rankings, comprising the Global Head of Consulting Unit, Dr. David Reggio, and Senior Consultant Adviser, Dr. Shadi Hijazi.

At the session of the University Advisory Body chaired by UQU President, Prof. Abdullah Bafail, the visiting QS consultants presented indicators of the World University Rankings. The Vice President for Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Hani Ghazi, presented the university vision towards developing its indicators in the light of its objectives and strategic plan. The world university rankings over the next five years were also introduced during the session.

The delegation met with the University Vice President, Prof. Farid Al-Ghamdi, who stressed that the plans and strategies of the vice presidency and its centers and departments seek to model its work and develop its administrative functions. The aim is to improve the administrative work environment in accordance with the latest methods and modern practices, in line with the relevant authorities regulations. This should lead to improving academic outcomes, as the administrative environment is the center of the educational and research process.

The University Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Abdul-Wahhab Al-Resini, presented the efforts of his Vice Presidency for Scientific Research, its outcomes, and the postgraduate programs. He pointed out that the postgraduate programs have been developed and updated for all scientific degrees: diploma, master's, and doctorate. These have been ensured to comply with the requirements of the labor market.

The supervisor of the UQU Vice Presidency for Educational Affairs, Dr. Ahmad Babalghith, presented the efforts of the Deanship of Admission and Registration in registering students in various university branches, raising performance levels, and setting up the automation of student e-services. He also referred to the activities of the Deanship of Student Affairs, external scholarship students and student clubs, in addition to the endeavors to raise the level of student participation in cultural activities, highlighting the university's efforts in organizing student activities and events.

The Corporate Communication Department Manager, Dr. Abdullah Al-Shanqiti, said that marketing for the university is currently underway on the local and international levels, due to the potentials it has, especially the Hajj and Umrah research and innovative services. In addition, the department reaches out to diverse companies with a good reputation.

The QS advisers expressed their happiness with the university's advanced equipment, infrastructure, and technology. They also expressed their gratitude for the discussions held during the sessions and the field visits. They stated that the university is full of outstanding competencies, in all disciplines, making it a match for the major international universities.

The delegation visited the College of Medicine and reviewed its experience in curriculum development, in cooperation with UCL (University College London). They also visited the College of Dentistry, the Dental Teaching Hospital, and the mobile clinics. Moreover, they visited Wadi Makkah for Technology, the Innovation Lab, and the startup companies.

The delegation concluded its visit by meeting with His Excellency the University President, Prof. Abdullah Bafail, who stressed that the university seeks to achieve a number of targets set in the University's Tamkin Strategic Plan, for the university to be within the rankings of the top 200 global universities by 2023. He pointed out that a clear vision has been developed to support scientific research and its outcomes, and develop the educational environment to improve academic outcomes.