Under the auspices of the UQU President, Prof. Moaddi bin Muhammad Aal Madh-hab, the College of Design and Arts will organize the First Virtual Arts and Design Forum under the slogan, “Vision of a Designer”, on 3 and 4 Sha`ban 1442 A.H. The forum is set to highlight the richness of designs and arts, the comprehensiveness of its specialties, and the relationship of such points with economic, social and cultural development, which will contribute to achieving the Saudi Vision 2030.

Meanwhile, the Dean of the College, Dr. Rania Abdul-Rahman, said that such forums are held to widen the beneficiary base, and contribute to unifying ideas and visions in a such manner which serves both the technical and the cultural sides alike. She pointed out that the college has selected “Vision of a Designer” as slogan for the forum to confirm the point of view through which the artist sees life and to contribute to explaining all fields, types and specializations of arts, taking into account the importance of exchanging experience and expertise among the specialists in this field.

On his part, the Head of the Department of Graphic Design, Dr. Abdullah Suruji, referred to the pivotal role of designs and arts as one of the supporters of cultural and visual knowledge. He said the college endeavors to establish the culture of knowledge, exchange scientific experience between researchers and those interested in the field, and support community partnerships through innovation and scientific production. "All of this will result in recommendations that contribute to developing scientific and practical outcomes for the specialists and honing national talents that are capable of producing creative ideas," he expounded.

There will be five sessions in the forum, which will last for two days. Moreover, the forum includes 21 scientific papers and workshops that will discuss the role of the applications of creative and technological methods in the field of designs and arts in achieving the objectives of the Saudi Vision. This is in such a manner that will guarantee sustainability of the national development of the heritage buildings, implementation of contemporary designs drawn from Islamic decorative patterns, and utilization of Arabic calligraphy in the production of aesthetical paintings that enhance the concept of entrepreneurship. The forum also has a virtual exhibition including the creative work of the college’s male and female designers.

The sessions of the forum will be attended by selected academic members specialized in the field of designs and arts from King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Hail University, and Jeddah International College, in addition to academic members from inside Umm Al-Qura University itself.