Umm Al-Qura University has reviewed the vision of female leaders with regards to the reality of women in scientific research and supporting their fields in academic institutions as part of the "Empowering Women in Scientific Research" forum organized by the Deanship of Scientific Research. The 2-day forum was held in Al-Jawhara Hall, Al-Zahir campus, under the patronage of His Excellency the UQU President, Prof. Abdullah Bafail, with the participation of 27 researchers from various educational and governmental institutions.

Volunteering Incentives

The speakers discussed ways to empower women's research in the academic environment and medical disciplines, in addition to enhancing the foundations of innovation in scientific research studies, in a manner consistent with Saudi Vision 2030. They highlighted the necessity of allocating material and moral incentives for voluntary research in which working women participate through social networks and creating official accounts for all areas of voluntary research.

Empowerment Enhancers

They stressed the importance of studies and scientific research contributing to supporting the fields of creativity, to find a strong and flexible creative innovation strategy that enables Saudi universities to continue their mission, in addition to making community institutions aware of the importance of the role of women in the research field, which helps them to complete their duties according to the highest standards.

Strategic Support

The researchers discussed a number of scientific papers specialized in award-winning women's research experiences and external support that have had an active role in raising the level of knowledge economy, whether at the level of intellectual security research and security aspects, or the electronic encyclopedia of Arabic poetry, to promote the values of citizenship and present national initiatives and strategies that contribute to immunization of generations.

Her Excellency the Vice President for Female Student Affairs, Dr. Sarah Al-Khuli, opened the exhibition accompanying the forum. It was designed to acquaint researchers with the leading scientific institutions, centers, and journals granting scholarships internally and externally, and bridge the communication gap between female researchers and those who support their scientific path and wish to enhance their role in society. Twenty parties supporting the research fields participated.

Dr. Sarah Al-Khuli stressed the centrality of women and their pioneering role in all scientific, research, and development fields, and its reflection on the evaluation of society plans and its advancement. Through its scientific sessions, the forum came to enhance the capabilities of the researchers and their fields of work, including 25 working papers that deal with the reality of women's research fields and employing their research skills to serve society and fulfill its needs. In addition, the forum provided an arena for exchanging opinions and scientific experiments, and defining the difficulties that it faces in reaching appropriate solutions in a manner that guarantees their applicability.

The Adviser to the Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research for Development, Dr. Hanadi Bihairi, on behalf of the Dean of Scientific Research, Dr. Muhammad Al-Sufi, drew attention to the university's efforts to qualify female researchers and develop their capabilities. This will contribute to the improvement of research and strategic needs and relevant outcomes, locally and externally, according to national targets. She noted the forum’s contributions to highlighting the role of women by discussing issues related to their research achievements in the academic community, and improving scientific production and publishing by reviewing pioneering women's practices and experiences in Saudi universities that are outstanding in this field.