On behalf of His Excellency the Minister of Education, Dr. Hamad bin Muhammad Aal Al-Sheikh, the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Moaddi bin Muhammad Aal Madh-hab, chaired the fourth session of the University Council for the academic year 1442 A.H. yesterday, Sunday, in the presence of the Secretary General of the Council of Universities Affairs, Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Saleh, the Secretary General of the University Council, and the deans and vice deans of the supportive colleges and deanships. The UQU President opened the session with a welcoming speech to all the attendees and the members who had recently joined the council, and he extended sincere thanks and appreciation to all the members whose term of membership in the council had expired.

The council discussed a number of topics on the session’s schedule, in which it approved the reformation of the Permanent Committee of Scholarship and Training for a period of two years, the establishment of an Intellectual Awareness Unit, and two memoranda of understanding, one between the university and the Saudi Volunteer organization (Takatuf) and another between the university and Al-Birr Charity Association in Jeddah. In addition, the council agreed to award the "Bachelor" and "College Diploma" academic degrees to the students who are expected to graduate by the end of the semester, and it also approved the opening of a summer semester.

Many academic topics related to various aspects of the university where discussed by the council, which agreed to renew the membership of the university staff in the college councils and to add two members of the university’s academic staff to their respective college councils. The council was briefed on a number of issues related to the university’s budget for the fiscal year 1442 A.H. and a number of points related to the affairs of academic staff members and employees.

On his part, His Excellency the UQU President lauded the support that the wise government (may Allah safeguard it) extends to the educational process and its research and administrative environment, noting the commendable follow-up and interest of His Excellency the Minister of Education, Dr. Hamad bin Muhammad Aal Al-Sheikh, as well as the support of His Excellency the Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation, Dr. Muhammad Al-Sudairi, towards the steps taken by the university to improve its educational outcomes.