Dr. Nadir Mutair, the Assistant General Director of Health Affairs for Planning and Research at the headquarters of the General Directorate of Health Affairs in Makkah, received the Dean of the UQU College of Applied Medical Sciences, Dr. Ayman Al-Saigh, and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, aspects of cooperation between the two sides were discussed in the fields of training, qualifying students, and developing scientific programs according to the future needs of the health sectors. This is in addition to reviewing aspects of research cooperation and the requirements of the scientific research ethics committee in the directorate.

The meeting started with a visual presentation by the College Vice Dean for Hospital Affairs, Dr. Alaa Qadi, who spoke about the academic programs offered by the college for the BA and Master's phases and the preparation of the internship students in the different health facilities in Makkah, amounting to 253 male and female students. Furthermore, Dr. Qadi reviewed the research projects of the college affiliates approved by the Scientific Research Ethics Committee during the last two years.

Next, Dr. Ayman Al-Saigh explained that the college endeavors to meet the requirements of the health sector with regard to the specializations of the applied medical sciences by introducing new quality programs to meet the needs of the labor market, in realization of the UQU vision and following the directives of the President of the University. He praised the ongoing cooperation with the Makkah Health Directorate in this regard and the data it will provide to define the specializations which lack specialist national cadres. Dr. Al-Saigh also referred to the hurdles facing the graduate students in obtaining approval for the internal grant requests to join the MSc programs offered by the college. Moreover, he welcomed the steps taken in hiring specialized medical cadres to provide specialized courses for the postgraduate level in the various programs of the college.

On his part, Dr. Mutair praised the college's approach in introducing specializations which will contribute to increasing the efficiency of the medical services provided for the community and to meeting the needs of the health sector. He also praised the graduates of the college and their outstanding contribution during the Coronavirus pandemic, as well as their volunteering efforts in quarantines and examination centers. Dr. Mutair referred to the quality of the research provided by the college affiliates, and the significant role of the Scientific Research Ethics Committee in ensuring that research proposals are aligned with rules and regulations of the Ministry of Health. He also explained the new procedures related to the internal grants of the ministry affiliates.

It is worth mentioning that this visit comes within the strategic efforts of the university, represented by the College of Applied Medical Sciences, to strengthen the relationship with the health sector in the region and contribute to achieving the objectives and vision of Umm Al-Qura University. The college delegation included the Vice Dean of the College for Academic Affairs, Dr. Radi Al-Safi, the Vice Dean of the College for Hospital Affairs, Dr. Alaa Qadi, the Head of the Department of Physiotherapy, Dr. Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, the Head of the Department of Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Widad Azhar, and the Coordinator of the Internship Year for the Departments of Laboratory and Clinical Technology, Mr. Mazin Al-Twuairqi.

The team of the General Directorate of Health Affairs was represented by Dr. Asim Khuqair from the Department of Planning and Research, who is a member of the Scientific Research Ethics Committee in the directorate, and Mr. Mahir Shaldoum, Director of Analysis and Business Intelligence at Makkah Health Affairs Directorate.