Introduction
H.E. Dr. Bandar M. H. Hajjar
The approval of the Minister of Education was issued on: 18/1/1444 AH appointing His Excellency Dr. Bandar Bin Muhammad Hajjar as President of University of Prince Mugrin.
Dr. Bandar M Hajjar held the position of President of the Islamic Development Bank Group during the period of 2016-2021. The Islamic Development Bank, headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is a multilateral development bank that works to improve people's lives by promoting social and economic development in its 57 member countries and Muslim communities around the world. The bank enjoys the highest credit rating (AAA) from international rating agencies.
President of University of Prince Mugrin
Dr. Bandar M Hajjar was appointed as the President of the University of Prince Mugrin in Madinah, a non-profit private university with three key colleges: the College of Computer Science and Cybersecurity, the College of Engineering, and the College of Business and Tourism.
Dr. Bandar M Hajjar is focused on making the university academically distinguished, globally oriented, and strongly grounded in values. He is also dedicated to ensuring that the university actively contributes to the community. He looks forward to the role of the university in finding solutions for the challenges facing the local community and the world through scientific research and innovation .
Academic Life
His Excellency Dr. Bandar Bin Mohammed Hajjar has had a remarkable academic career. He completed his bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science with first-class honors from King Saud University. He then earned a master’s degree in Economics from Indiana University in the United States and a Ph.D. in Economics from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.
For his Ph.D., Dr. Bandar M Hajjar focused on finding ways to help small businesses in Saudi Arabia. His research showed that Islamic financing models are well-suited for small businesses, as they often struggle with issues like a lack of collateral and limited marketing and administrative skills.
From 1994 to 1998, he worked as Deputy Dean at the College of Economics and Administration, Deputy Director of the Islamic Economic Research Center, and Chair of the Curriculum Committee. He helped design economic programs with an Islamic approach during this time.
In his teaching, he made sure to combine theory with real-life examples. He covered important topics such as banking, economic development, Islamic economics, and more, always looking ahead to future trends. He also encouraged his students to take part in volunteer activities, believing in the importance of giving back to the community.
Editorial of the Journal of Money and Markets
Dr. Bandar M Hajjar believes that the relationship between economics and media is strong, as both play crucial roles in the advancement of society. Responsible media highlight the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges facing the economy of any country, contributing to its development through objective analysis of events and foresight into the future. This vision inspired the launch of the Journal of Money and Markets in 1996, an economic journal dedicated to the economic affairs of the Arab and Islamic worlds.
The journal offered in-depth perspectives on international events and developments, emphasizing their impact on economic activities. It also devoted significant space to issues related to Islamic economics.
Dr. Bandar M Hajjar continued to lead the journal until its cessation of publication in 2006
Chairman
Coordinating Council for Monitoring Municipal Elections
Dr. Bandar M Hajjar formed a coordinating council of seven NGOs under the National Society for Human Rights umbrella to monitor the first municipal elections held in Saudi Arabia in 2005. The Council deployed approximately 1,500 volunteer citizens to all cities in the Kingdom and issued daily statements in both Arabic and English explaining the election instructions, regulations, and outcomes.
Chairman
National Society for Human Rights
Believing that upholding human rights and dignity is paramount, Dr. Bandar M Hajjar and 40 Saudi men and women established a national non-governmental human rights society in 2004. Under his five-year chairmanship, the Society managed to raise public awareness about the rights of citizens and residents as enshrined in Islamic Sharia, domestic laws, and international conventions and to revise regulations for alignment with international conventions. It also managed to integrate human rights into school curricula, publish a monthly newsletter, and establish an information and documentation center. The Society released the first report on human rights in the Kingdom, which was well received nationally and internationally.
President of Islamic Development Bank Group
Dr. Bandar M Hajjar served as the President of the ISDB Group (Islamic Development Bank Group) from 2016 to 2020. The ISDB Group is an international multilateral development bank based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with 57 member countries. The group is committed to improving the lives of people in its member countries and in Muslim communities in non-member countries. It holds one of the highest credit ratings at AAA.
In 2020, Dr. Bandar M Hajjar chaired the meetings of the Presidents of Multilateral Development Banks, an international dialogue platform that includes Many development banks from around the world : WB ( World Bank ) , ISDB ( Islamic Development Bank ) , ADB ( Asian Development Bank ) , AFDB ( African Development Bank ) , EBRD ( European Bank For Reconstruction And Development , IDB ( Inter-American Development Bank ) , EIB ( European Investment Bank ) , NDB ( New Development Bank ) , CEB (Council Of Europe Development Bank ) , IBRD ( International Bank For Reconstruction And Development ) , EDB (Emirates Development Bank) , CABEI ( Central American Bank For Economic Integration ) , IIB ( International Investment Bank ) ,NIB ( Nib International Bank ) , AIIB ( Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank ) .
Membership in the Shura Council
In 1998, Dr. Bandar M Hajjar was chosen to be a member of the Shura Council during its second term, and he served for three terms, spanning twelve years. After this, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Council with the rank of minister, a role he held for three years before becoming the Minister of Hajj.
During his time in the Shura Council, he chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee and was a member of several other important committees, including the Economic and Energy Affairs and Youth Committee. He also served on several sub-committees, such as the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Committee, the University Admission Committee, and the Zakat Committee.
On the international front, Dr. Bandar M Hajjar represented the Shura Council in the Arab Parliamentary Union and played a key role in supporting the Shura Council join the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Throughout his years of service, he showed a deep interest in areas like the non-profit sector, endowments, environmental protection, and renewable energy. He was also passionate about investing in education and human development, always looking at how these could improve both people's lives and the economy. Above all, he believed in the importance of a strong middle class to achieve long-term economic and social stability.
Minister of Hajj
Dr. Bandar M Hajjar was appointed as Minister of Hajj, with royal approval for the position. The Ministry of Hajj is responsible for providing services to pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors, working to ensure that the Hajj and Umrah journeys are smooth and enjoyable from the moment a pilgrim decides to perform these rites in their home country, during their stay in the kingdom, and until their departure.
During Dr. Bandar M Hajjar’s tenure, the ministry launched a program with several initiatives designed to make the Hajj, Umrah, and visitation experience more comfortable and fulfilling for all those involved.
Appointed Minister of Culture and Information
Dr. Bandar M Hajjar was appointed as Minister of Culture and Information, in addition to his role as Minister of Hajj. This appointment lasted for approximately a month and a half.
Chairmanship & Membership of Associations
Dr. Bandar M Hajjar has served as chairman/member of several national, regional, and international societies and associations: Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Civil Society for Community Development, which works to empower young people to build their future.
Vice-chairman of the Board of Trustees, of Health Endowerement fund-Al Shifa.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Taibah Endowment for Knowledge, which aims to create an incubating environment for future pioneers.
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Endowment for the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity Member of the Honorary Board of the Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz University. Vice President of Madinah International Academy (MADAC)
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic University of Niger. Member of the Board of Directors of the Regional Center of Quality and Excellence in Education-UNESCO.
Member of the Board of Trustees of the International Islamic University of Islamabad- Pakistan (IIUI). Member of the Board of Directors of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC).
Orders
Order of the Lion
The Republic of Senegal awarded Dr. Bandar M Hajjar the National Order of the Lion, the highest national order awarded by the Republic, in recognition of his efforts in supporting the development projects and programs carried out by the Islamic Development Bank in Senegal.
National Order of Merit
The Republic of Tunisia awarded Dr. Bandar M Hajjar the First Order of Merit.
The grand Award of Niger
The Grant Award, the country's highest distinction as appreciation to his role in supporting socio-economic development of Niger and Africa.
