When the coronavirus pandemic invaded the world in a matter of a few months, the UQU researchers embarked on studying its repercussions and harnessing technologies to find solutions for the pandemic, according to their specialties and experiences. These efforts resulted in the publication of 43 scientific research papers in the publishing channels of ISI, and the registration of two patents for two research findings.

The President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Moaddi bin Muhammad Aal Madh-hab, stressed the keenness of the university to employ its potentials and knowledge capabilities and use them in supporting the Saudi Kingdom's efforts in studies and research production to curb emergency crises, especially the emerging novel coronavirus. The measures taken in this regard, he added, reflected the kingdom's strength based on the solidarity of its different sectors in confronting the pandemic, leading the kingdom to top the Arab countries and advance to take the 17th position globally in publishing coronavirus research projects. The contribution of the Saudi universities in this regard has amounted to 1.8 %.

The President of the University considered this national achievement a culmination of the kingdom's accomplishments in curbing this pandemic successfully, at all levels. He praised the generous support provided for the different sectors in general and the educational sector in particular by the wise leadership (may Allah support them), and their confidence in the capabilities of the Saudi universities to be effective partners in the international competition. This is under the untiring support of the Minister of Education, Dr. Hamad bin Muhammad Aal Al-Sheikh, thereby boosting the research environment and raising the human competencies to harness them in serving the nation and achieving the aspirations of the rulers.

On his part, the UQU Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Abdul-Wahab Al-Resini, referred to the high rate of scientific research production achieved by the university since the beginning of the pandemic within the endeavors to curb its repercussions and to develop scientific solutions and preventive methods limiting its effects. He went on to add that this came out of the researchers sense of responsibility and the humanitarian imperative, which force them to harness their knowledge experiences in serving the religion and the nation, in addition to achieving the university's objectives and plans in the fields of scientific research.