Out of a sense of national responsibility and the realization of the importance of the unity of the different sectors of the country in facing crises, especially the emerging Novel Coronavirus epidemic, Umm Al-Qura University has organized the First Virtual Consulting Forum on Crisis Management, via Webex. The forum will be held from 13 to 15 Sha`ban, 1441 A.H., under the patronage of His Excellency the UQU President, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, and with the participation of consultants specialized in the field of crisis management.

Dr. Ali Al-Shaeiri, the Manager of the Forum Sessions and the Dean of the Institute of Consulting Research and Studies, asserted the importance of the forum in highlighting the role of the university and the educational organizations, in general. He also asserted that these organizations carry out a national role in facing the contemporary challenges.

Dr. Al-Shaeiri added that the forum will include three sessions that will cover important themes related to crisis management, including: health, engineering, technology, law, psychology, and crowd management, presented by 14 specialized academics from the different UQU entities. In addition, the forum will witness the participation of the relevant bodies in discussing 12 scientific topics related to the art of handling crises.

Dr. Al-Shaeiri invited all the sectors of the society to attend the sessions of the forum remotely, whose sessions will last for three days, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The purpose of the forum is to support the university and its efforts in managing the crisis experienced by the Saudi Kingdom and the whole world, to benefit from the experience of volunteer and professional practitioners, and to learn about the latest studies and research in these areas.

Dr. Khalid Al-Mutairi, the Dean of E-Learning and Distance Education, clarified that the forum aims to promote the positive behavior of all groups of the society during crises, develop the professional skills of field practitioners during crises, and reveal the importance of technology and innovation in crisis management.

The forum will be held in fulfillment of the slogan of this period "We Are All Responsible". This sense of responsibility is represented by the participation of different entities in organizing the forum along with the Institute of Consulting Research and Studies, such as the Deanship of E-Learning and Distance Education, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal Chair for the Development of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the Sacred Sites, the Continuing Medical Education and Training Unit, and the Center for Safety, Risk, and Crisis Management (SAFE).