I want the university to be a leader at the national level, to be part of the global educational system, to play an active role in the community, and to be committed to the values of governance and transparency. To achieve this vision, I launched the President's four-pronged program, which I named "The Path Towards Excellence." The program includes 15 initiatives, and I have set goals and performance indicators for each initiative, assigning vice presidents and advisors to lead these initiatives. The implementation is proceeding as planned.
* Firstly, we selected specializations in demand in the local and global labor markets, including Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Forensic Computing, Software Engineering, Applied Accounting, Finance, and International Hospitality, among others. Incidentally, Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz University was the first Saudi university to launch a bachelor's program in Artificial Intelligence. * Secondly, the quality of academic programs is crucial. Some academic programs have recently obtained international accreditation. Four programs recently received program accreditation from the international accreditation body ABET: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Architectural, Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Forensic Computing. By 2025, all academic programs will obtain program accreditation. * Thirdly, the university has attracted global talent for teaching from prestigious universities such as MIT, Boston University, Stanford, Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and others. * Fourthly, we provide a stimulating environment for students. For example, the university has 25 student clubs that contribute to building students' character and provide opportunities for teamwork in various general and specialized student activities. We also have a center for entrepreneurship and innovation, a center for employment and professional development, and we are currently working on establishing a business incubator. Additionally, the Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz Scholarship Program has provided full and partial scholarships to about 93% of the university's students. * Fifthly, the university has active strategic partnerships with major national companies, including: Red Sea Global, NEOM, SABIC, Saudi Arabian, Airlines, SDAIA, Rua Al Madinah Holding, Aramco, Fakeeh Medical Group, and others. We also have partnerships with prestigious international universities and research centers such as EHL (the top-ranked Swiss university globally in international hospitality), the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and Purdue University.
The shift towards internationalization improves graduates' opportunities for jobs in local and global markets and for postgraduate studies in prestigious universities. It also helps in obtaining research grants, building an international reputation for the university, and making the university a soft power that enhances the Kingdom's global standing. To achieve this, the university launched several programs, for example: the program to attract international students. The "Study in Saudi" platform, established by the Ministry of Education to market Saudi university programs globally, was used. 633 male and female students from 41 countries registered in several programs. The Deanship of Admission and Registration is currently contacting students to finalize their registration procedures. A link has also been created on the university's website in three languages, through which international students can learn everything they need to join the university, and about university life and the community they will live in. The university, through its recently established International Students Department, has also attracted students from more than twenty countries to study Arabic at the Global Center for Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers. We are currently working on providing housing and other service systems. We are also working to attract global talent, including distinguished professors and researchers, to raise the level of educational and research programs. Recently, one of the university's professors specializing in Cybersecurity and Forensic Computing was granted Saudi citizenship for his scientific and research excellence at the global level. Some professors have also obtained Premium Residency. Furthermore, to make the university a platform for international dialogue on global scientific issues, a department for scientific chairs has been established. The first applied research chair hosted by the university is the Prince Faisal bin Salman Chair for Humanizing Cities. The university seeks to attract a globally distinguished professor to manage the chair. The university is also currently collaborating with leading universities and research centers in research and innovation through the Dr. Hussein Al-Sayed Center for Scientific Research and Innovation. Among these centers are the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and KAUST, among other global research institutions. The university has also received research grants from the Saudi Research and Innovation Authority. The shift towards internationalization is an integrated system that combines academic excellence, diversity, cultural openness, and community impact. This transformation is not optional in the era of globalization; it is a necessity to ensure the university's continued competitiveness. Therefore, we are working on developing national cadres specialized in managing international partnerships and the alumni network at the international level, and developing programs related to future fields, such as big data, robotics, and virtual laboratories.
The Prince Faisal bin Salman Chair for Humanizing Cities differs from traditional scientific chairs, which often focus on research output and academic publishing. His Highness Prince Faisal believes that teaching and transferring knowledge to students and practitioners is a priority, without excluding research and publication. He aims to produce a generation of graduates and specialists capable of applying humanization concepts in city design and improving the quality of urban life; because that creates a tangible impact on the ground instead of confining knowledge to research papers. This direction from His Highness strengthens the partnership between the university and the community without negating scientific research, but rather making it supportive of teaching and application.
The university is part of the fabric of society, and its role is not limited to education but extends to actively contributing practical solutions to the challenges facing the local and global community. It also contributes to knowledge production, benefiting from its specialized fields. The university has various community service programs, including providing full and partial scholarships to certain groups unable to pay tuition fees. For example, orphaned students, in collaboration with the Takafol Association for Orphans in Madinah, and children of families eligible for social security, in collaboration with the Ehsan platform, and struggling students through the "Zakat Elm" (Charity of Knowledge) program. It has also facilitated installment payments of tuition fees without interest through its partnership with the Al Rajhi Maslak program. The university also offers awareness and training courses on various topics, including free four-month English language courses qualifying high school students for university admission, as well as the Tech Camp course to introduce students to future specializations like Artificial Intelligence, programming, robotics, and engineering. Students use university laboratories and digital platforms. We encourage and motivate students and faculty members to engage in volunteer work and record their volunteer hours on the National Volunteering Platform. Student contributions to volunteer work exceeded ten thousand hours in 2024. University students also contribute to development projects with the Madinah Municipality, the Madinah Development Authority, the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, training programs with the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf), and future conference plans. Additionally, the university contributes through studies and research to develop practical solutions for some societal challenges, offers various training courses for continuing education or lifelong learning, and organizes community events, including competitions, lectures, and workshops.
Donors are partners in excellence. I offer them the deepest expressions of gratitude and appreciation. They are honored through various means, including placing donors' names in prominent places on main buildings, classrooms, and laboratories; naming scholarships after them; involving them in selecting scholarship beneficiaries; inviting them to graduation ceremonies; granting major donors membership in the Honorary Council chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz; sending annual reports detailing the names of scholarship recipients and their academic status, and how their contributions have changed students' lives; sending personal letters from students; and the university organizes an annual event where donors meet students, get to know them, and have lunch with them in the university restaurant.
90% of graduates secure jobs after graduation. This high percentage reflects the quality of academic and preparatory programs students receive during their studies, including training courses and professional certifications. We aim to raise this percentage to 100% by 2028. Our goal is for 95% of graduates to work in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, and 5% to establish their own companies; because one indicator of university excellence is the number of startups founded by graduates. To achieve this, the university's Center for Employment and Professional Development currently supports students from their first year, helping them chart their career paths, identifying necessary training courses and professional certifications before graduation, specifying skills required by the labor market, facilitating industry connections. The Center launched several programs to increase employment rates, including: creating an electronic platform for managing employment services connecting graduates with companies, using artificial intelligence to simulate job interviews in Arabic and English, providing professional and consulting services, preparing students for professional certifications. The Entrepreneurship Center also provides a comprehensive package of assistance to students, starting from developing the project idea, transforming the idea into a business project, providing advice, training, and counseling. Work is currently underway to establish a business incubator and performance indicators for the centers.
The Alumni Unit at the university communicates with graduates through the database prepared for this purpose and organizes an annual alumni meeting. Undoubtedly, communicating with graduates after graduation and measuring companies' satisfaction with their performance is important for improving the quality of study programs and strengthening the relationship with the labor market. Awards for graduates have also been established, including the Promising Graduate Award for those who have shown exceptional professional excellence in their workplaces, and also an award to honor entrepreneurs who have provided innovative solutions meeting the needs of the community and the market.
It develops skills, builds confidence, creates unforgettable memories, and provides an environment that welcomes all cultures. 25% of the university's students are non-Saudi; we have students from 35 nationalities, and more than 50% of the professors are non-Saudi. This diversity enriches the university environment. The university has 25 student clubs, some specialized and others general cultural, artistic, sports, and volunteer clubs. The campus is covered with green spaces, sports facilities, restaurants, cafes, and theaters for celebrations that host events open to the public. In addition, there are laboratories, labs, and classrooms equipped with smart learning technologies, an employment center that forms partnerships with major companies, and an entrepreneurship center that helps students turn their ideas into start-up projects. Furthermore, there are guidance services of all kinds: academic, psychological, and social. The university also provides housing for students coming from outside the city or international students.
The university recently established an E-Learning Center that offers training courses for faculty members on how to design electronic content for curricula, trains them on creating interactive content, helps them upload content to electronic platforms, use tools like augmented reality, assists them in converting traditional lectures into interactive digital content. It also qualifies faculty members for administrative leadership positions such as department heads and college deans, training them in strategic planning and decision- making skills. We are currently studying the possibility of opening the E-Learning Center to faculty members from outside the university and collaborating with technology companies specialized in e-learning.
The colleges are currently planning to launch academic and executive master's programs in various specializations, based on market needs analysis and the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Kingdom's vision focuses on digital transformation and the knowledge economy. These programs include master's degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Renewable Energy Engineering, Environmental Management, Construction Management, and Real Estate Development, in collaboration with technology companies. The Aqeeq Institute for Higher Training has been established, offering diplomas in Cybersecurity, Forensic Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Applied Accounting. The diploma duration is two years, and trainees can continue their studies to obtain a bachelor's degree from Prince Mugrin University in Madinah if they wish, or suffice with the diploma and seek employment. Based on studies, there is high demand for diplomas in these specializations. The institute also offers short courses to develop skills required in the labor market and prepares trainees for professional certifications. The university plans to grant students two certificates upon graduation; a skills certificate covering digital and non-digital skills like teamwork, complex problem-solving, and innovation, and the academic certificate. Employing companies are not satisfied with just knowing what the graduate has learned, but also what they can do. Also among the new projects the university is working on is the use and application of virtual worlds in education and training. Of course, it is not a substitute for the real world, but it adds new dimensions to education, training, and work. This includes establishing virtual laboratories for security penetration testing, simulating cyber attacks, simulating hotel management fromreception to restaurant management, training chefs in virtual kitchens, lectures in virtual halls with 3D smart boards, or virtual field trips to archaeological sites, or simulating financial markets and training in financial analysis. Another new project is the integration of specializations; meaning a major specialization with a minor specialization or tracks, for example, a major in Business Administration and a minor in Data Analytics. This is because the problems facing societies today are complex and cannot be viewed or studied from a single angle. Therefore, they require more than one specialization, for example: Renewable Energy Engineering and Artificial Intelligence. Here we find integration between technical issues and environmental and social challenges through the analysis of big data for decision-making.
We have succeeded in building an academic identity focused on the university's strengths, which are Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Forensic Computing, International Hospitality, Engineering, Data Analytics, Finance, and Accounting. These specializations align with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and are in demand in local and international labor markets. There is integration between these specializations by merging Artificial Intelligence into innovative applications for the tourism sector and other sectors. What also distinguishes the university is the Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz Scholarship Program, which offers grants to outstanding and talented students; more than 90% of the university's students have received scholarships. Another distinguishing feature is that 90% of graduates secure jobs after graduation. The university continuously evaluates its programs to ensure their consistency with international standards and meet changing market needs. The university's location in Madinah is also significant; it is the first non-profit university and the only one in Madinah, a city with tourist and religious attraction. Therefore, it seeks to attract global minds to become an international center of excellence.
Yes. One of the goals of this initiative was to showcase the university as a center for intellectual and scientific leadership and to present successful experiences to the local community and the academic community, thereby enhancing the university's reputation. The selection criteria include scientists who have received international awards, pioneers in specific fields relevant to the university's specializations, leaders in strategic sectors such as technology, banking, renewable energy, etc., and successful entrepreneurs in innovative projects. We will record the lectures and publish them on the university's platforms. The university's location in Madinah attracts many influential figures locally and globally. In addition, the university has hosted visiting delegations of faculty members and students from Harvard University and Georgetown University in the United States.
The annual excellence awards are not an end in themselves, but a means to transform the university's strategic goals into tangible achievements, attain academic and research excellence, serve the community, enhance the culture of quality. The annual excellence awards cover several tracks, including scientific excellence, research and innovation, entrepreneurship, administrative leadership, outstanding faculty member, promising graduate, and innovation in the environmental field. Each award has pre-announced conditions and criteria, and independent judging committees including members from outside the university to ensure impartiality. An annual ceremony is organized to distribute the awards, to which award sponsors, representatives from various entities, and media personnel are invited, which enhances communication between the university and the community. The stories of the winners are published through the university's platforms and the media, and the awards are included in the university's annual reports. Some awards translate into employment opportunities for the winners. A video documenting the winners' achievements is also produced. Highlighting achievements through all means is no less important than financial incentives.
Achieving program accreditation from international accreditation bodies for all university programs, as I mentioned earlier. Establishing advisory boards for the university's colleges comprising members from universities and companies. Concluding agreements with prestigious international universities, such as EHL Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality, which is the university's strategic partner in international hospitality, and Purdue University in the USA, which is ranked among the best American universities in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, among others, like King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). These are examples from a long list. Establishing research centers and linking them to global research centers. Establishing research chairs and attracting international professors, such as the Prince Faisal bin Salman Chair for Humanizing Cities. The university plans to increase the percentage of international students; currently, there are male and female students from 35 nationalities at the university, and we intend to increase the percentage of international students to 50% of the total student body. Currently, the percentage of non-Saudi faculty members is 50% . The university encourages cultural diversity and enriching the university environment with diverse cultures. Also among the university's plans for internationalization is training students in globally required skills. That is why we established the Center for Employment and Professional Development, whose role I previously mentioned in qualifying students with the skills required in the local and international labor market.
Focusing on research areas prioritized by the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA), which include the university's areas of strength: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and their applications in various sectors. Using tools such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse, and employing these tools to provide practical and innovative solutions to challenges facing different sectors. Establishing awards to motivate students and professors to engage in research issues of priority for the Kingdom. Establishing an intellectual property unit and encouraging patents by transforming research into commercial products and services. As for the criteria or conditions for selecting faculty members, we ensure they are graduates of prestigious universities, have an outstanding academic record, leadership skills, and excellent teaching skills. This is verified through personal interviews.
One of the challenges facing universities worldwide is financial sustainability, which ensures the university's ability to sustain its programs and activities in the long term. His Royal Highness Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz directed the establishment of endowments for the university. His Highness initiated the creation of a hotel in the central area of Madinah and endowed it to the university, with its revenues allocated to scholarships. The value of the land on which the hotel was built was estimated at about 150 million Riyals approximately 6 years ago. The university is heading towards expanding the establishment of endowments. The university has also established two companies engaged in commercial activities: Aqeeq Developer Company and Modern Quality Company. The university has also established joint funding programs for scholarships with major companies, endowment institutions, and individuals. Among the largest partners are Red Sea Global, NEOM, Fakeeh Medical Group, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SABIC, Bakhsh Endowments, Abu- Ghazaleh Foundation, and about 25 other institutions. Also, partnerships with institutions to provide scholarships for specific groups, such as the Takafol Association for Orphans and the Ehsan platform for joint scholarships for social security beneficiaries. Additionally, among the non-traditional revenue sources the university is working to expand are: providing studies and consultations to the public, private, and non-profit sectors; establishing a business incubator; offering diplomas and master's programs in various specializations. The university established the Aqeeq Institutes in Jeddah, granting diplomas in specializations demanded by the local and global labor market, including Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Applied Accounting, in addition to short courses in various specializations, skills development, and professional certifications. Specialized centers have also been established to serve the community and generate income for the university, such as the English Language Center, the Arabic Language Center for Non-Native Speakers, the Continuing Education Center, renting university facilities, and holding various conferences and activities that support the university's revenues.
A word of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to the founder of the university and its honorary president, His Royal Highness Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz, who has given the university so much of his wealth, time, and effort, and who always emphasizes the importance of the university's excellence in all fields. His words are a motivation for all of us at the university to take the university .to broader and wider horizons