King Khalid University: Suspension of in-person classes and shift to distance learning
announced King Khalid University the suspension of in-person classes today, Wednesday, at its main campus and all its affiliated colleges in the provinces, with the exception of the university's colleges in Tihama. This decision was based on reports from the National Center for Meteorology and in the interest of student safety. Lectures will be conducted remotely via the Blackboard e-learning platform to ensure the continuity of the educational process without interruption.
King Khalid University's procedures to ensure the continuity of the educational process
decision King Khalid University's to rapidly transition to distance learning is part of a flexible strategy adopted by Saudi universities to address emergency situations. This move is based on a robust digital infrastructure that has been significantly developed over the past few years, with the Blackboard platform proving its high efficiency in managing virtual classrooms. This measure is an extension of the Ministry of Education's policies, which grant university administrators and education departments the authority to suspend in-person classes based on field data and reports from relevant authorities, reflecting a qualitative development in the mechanisms for managing educational crises in the Kingdom.
The importance of the decision and its impact on public safety
This decision is of paramount importance as it prioritizes the safety of all university members, including students and faculty, especially given the current weather fluctuations in the Asir region and other parts of the Kingdom. Digital transformation helps mitigate the risks associated with travel during heavy rains or severe cold spells, while simultaneously maintaining the academic calendar without delay. This reinforces the concept of "continuous learning," a key objective of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to establish through the application of technology.
Rainy weather and cold waves continue in the Kingdom
In connection with the weather conditions that prompted these measures, the National Center for Meteorology explained in its report that thunderstorms accompanied by strong surface winds and reduced horizontal visibility are expected to continue across large parts of the Kingdom. The report also indicated that cold weather will persist until the end of this week in the Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Northern Borders, and Hail regions, where minimum temperatures are expected to range between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorology Department also warned of a noticeable drop in temperatures starting from Wednesday, including the Riyadh, Qassim and Eastern regions, where minimum temperatures are expected to reach levels between 7 and 9 degrees Celsius, which calls for taking precautions and following the instructions of the Civil Defense and official authorities.
