The Deanship of Scientific Research at Umm Al-Qura University organized a workshop on Tuesday entitled, "Volunteering from a Research Perspective that Supports the Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development". The Vice President of Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Abdul-Wahab Al-Resini, and His Excellency the Dean of Scientific Research, Dr. Muhammad Al-Sufi, attended the workshop, as well as a number of college vice deans, academic staff, and employees.

The workshop reviewed the legal objectives and economic benefits of volunteering, its role in promoting close interaction between individuals and communities, and the legal link between voluntary services and work motivation. The workshop also witnessed a panel discussion on voluntary human resources management and organizational contributions, in addition to a discussion on the most prominent research proposals for volunteering.

The workshop highlighted volunteering research priorities by discussing important strategies that encourage researchers to form research groups interested in volunteering, and to conduct research, studies and publications in international scientific journals.

Dr. Muhammad Al-Sufi explained that the workshop dealt with the issue of volunteering from a research perspective based on the foundations of the Islamic and administrative approach, and of raising awareness of the development, economic and cognitive benefits of volunteering. This is in addition to learning the best and latest mechanisms for the management of volunteers.

On his part, Dr. Al-Resini stressed that the Saudi Vision 2030 comes in support of a number of strategic issues that mainly target volunteering and volunteer work. This matter was at the forefront of a range of vision programs, such as the National Transformation Program, Quality of Life Program, and Service of the Guests of the Merciful Program. It also reinforced the leading role of the Deanship of Scientific Research in focusing on national needs and taking them from the theoretical to the practical arena, through research practices that support and achieve the growth of knowledge.