His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), held an open meeting with the faculty members of the university to discuss the draft of the new five-year strategy for the university for the years 2023-2027.
The strategy aims to align with the requirements of future visions and strategic directions for higher education and healthcare policies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It focuses on enhancing the innovative institutional environment, sustainable quality education, and scientific research in the face of digital transformation and new artificial intelligence technologies.
During the open consultation meeting, the academic faculty members discussed the important aspects of the new strategy. His Excellency the President of AGU praised the research productivity of the academic faculty members in the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences and the College of Graduate Studies.
He expressed confidence in the professors’ commitment to enhancing students’ personal aspects in terms of values, ethics, culture, and conscience. He emphasised the importance of scientific contribution through creative approaches in learning, teaching, research, and application.
He called for further progress in achieving more creativity, excellence, and innovation to continue keeping pace with the latest developments in medical and higher education, contributing to the university’s regional, Arab, and global ranking.
He also emphasised the importance of providing a secure and effective electronic environment in educational, research, and administrative aspects, with international standards and the adoption of artificial intelligence applications to improve productivity in all academic and administrative fields. He also provided an overview of the progress in construction and development in the King Abdullah Medical City.
Dr. Al Fuhaid said, “Today, we live in a new reality and a world undergoing unprecedented qualitative changes, digital technologies, big data, and artificial intelligence. Therefore, learning, teaching, and evaluation methods should evolve and adapt to meet the requirements of the present and the future, characterised by dynamic interaction with knowledge and experiences with confidence and positivity.”
He emphasised that the university operates based on established principles to achieve the vision of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The aim is to transform the university into a GCC institution that offers new and innovative disciplines that cater to the needs of the GCC society. The university’s operations are guided by an international vision and a commitment to the local community, he stressed.
He further emphasised that AGU always strives to integrate creativity and innovation into its daily work and practices across all aspects. “This commitment contributes to the strategic goals of the GCC society,” he noted, acknowledging that the GCC society is currently witnessing significant developments in its economic orientations, underscoring the importance of bolstering the knowledge economy where creativity and innovation play pivotal roles.
During his speech, he took a moment to extend his sincere condolences and offer prayers for the late Dr Khaled bin Abdulrahman Al Ohaly, the former President of AGU. He expressed profound appreciation for Al Ohaly’s remarkable efforts and successful accomplishments throughout his term.
On the other hand, the head of the New Strategy Planning Team, Prof. Odeh Rashid Al Jayyousi, who is currently serving as the Acting Head of Innovation & Technology Management Department, presented the foundations of the new strategy during the meeting.
The strategy focuses on enhancing the innovation environment, building strategic partnerships, regional and international cooperation, and supporting applied research that contributes to the plans of the GCC. Additionally, the strategy aims to strengthen the university’s financial sustainability. He also emphasised that the strategy development process is inclusive, with performance indicators being identified based on institutional analysis to ensure the achievement of the set objectives.
In a related context, the academic professionals who have recently been promoted were recognised during the consultative meeting. Several distinguished academic figures were honoured for their research and scientific contributions, including Prof. Khalid Jareesh, Dr. Randah Ribhi Hamadeh, and Dr Kannan Sridharan, who were listed among the top 2% of highly cited scientists in their research.
Furthermore, recognition was given to researchers who have published their work in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals classified as Q1 according to the Scopus database. Dr. Randah Ribhi Hamadeh was acknowledged for 43 publications, and Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Alabbasi for 13 publications.
The recognition also extended to the faculty members who have been with the university for more than 25 years, including Dr. Khaled Saeed Tabbara, Pro. Khalid Al Khaja, Prof. Reginald Paul Sequeira, Dr. Abdulrahman Yousif Ismael,
Prof. Khaled Bin Dina, Dr. Khaldoon Al Roomi, Dr. Sabah Saleh Aljenaid, Prof. Waleed Khalil Zubari, Dr. Randah Ribhi Hamadeh, Dr. Safa Al Tawash, Dr. Tareq Al Shaibani and Dr. Nasir Abdul Latif.
During the meeting, faculty members presented inputs and suggestions aimed at developing university programmes that serve the strategic goals, including investment in development and human intellect.
