Umm Al-Qura University hosts a meeting of university vice-chancellors for administrative affairs
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the efficiency of institutional work in the higher education sector, Umm Al-Qura University, represented by its President, Professor Dr. Maadi bin Mohammed Al-Mathhab, hosted a comprehensive meeting that included the vice presidents of Saudi universities for administrative and financial affairs. The meeting, held in the King Faisal Hall at the university campus in Al-Abdiyyah, served as a vital platform for discussing ways to develop the administrative and financial environment in universities in line with the major transformations taking place in the Kingdom.
This meeting comes at an important time, coinciding with the developmental movement witnessed by the education sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where universities seek to achieve financial and administrative sustainability in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The meeting focused primarily on exchanging experiences and reviewing successful practices, especially in the areas of governance of the administrative system, management of operational contracts for major projects, and development of the infrastructure of university cities, reflecting the trend towards raising the quality of educational outputs by providing an integrated institutional work environment.
In his opening remarks, the President of Umm Al-Qura University welcomed the participating vice presidents, emphasizing that such periodic meetings are a cornerstone for strengthening integration among Saudi universities. He noted that unifying efforts and exchanging perspectives on administrative and financial challenges directly contributes to accelerating development within academic institutions and ensures the application of global best practices in resource management.
For his part, the Vice President of Umm Al-Qura University, Professor Farid Al-Ghamdi, explained the strategic dimensions of the meeting, emphasizing that it represents a valuable opportunity to discuss vital issues that directly impact spending efficiency and maximize the utilization of available financial resources. The meeting included extensive discussions on the mechanisms for governing the legal framework, identifying strategic spending priorities, and ways to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, which constitutes a qualitative shift in the way university assets are managed.
The meeting also addressed technical and social aspects, discussing digital transformation, university campus security, and improving the "quality of life" on campus, a key objective of the national vision. Participants also discussed strategic workforce planning and developing operational and maintenance practices to ensure the sustainability of facilities.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the university organized a program for the visiting delegation, which included a tour of Wadi Makkah Technology Company, the university's investment arm, to learn about models of knowledge-based and technological investment. The visit concluded with a tour of the university's cultural center, where the deans viewed a rare collection of artifacts, manuscripts, and historical coins, highlighting the university's role not only as a beacon of knowledge but also as a repository of Islamic heritage and culture.
