SDG 4: QUALITY EDUCATION

4.3.4 Does your university as a body undertake educational outreach activities (e.g. tailored lectures or demonstrations) beyond campus – e.g. in local schools, in the community, including voluntary student-run schemes?

LIFE Initiative

The LIFE Initiative, led by AlMaarefa University’s Social Responsibility Unit, documents a structured outreach programme offering CPR training, airway management workshops and emergency preparedness education to students and community beneficiaries. The programme emphasizes reducing preventable deaths and improving immediate response capacity in local settings [1].

AlMaarefa University’s LIFE Initiative provides first-aid and CPR training modules explicitly tailored for school students and community groups. The program runs hands-on demonstrations and age-adapted lectures directly in schools and community venues, building emergency preparedness and creating formal partnerships with local educational institutions.

Emergency Medical Services Club - MOH collaboration for World Suicide Prevention Day & World First Aid Day

The Emergency Medical Services Club at AlMaarefa University collaborated with the Ministry of Health to deliver workshops and awareness demonstrations for World Suicide Prevention Day and World First Aid Day (Sep 12, 2024). Activities included psychological first-aid briefings and live first-aid demonstrations for community attendees.

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public health awareness, Almaarefa University, represented by the Emergency Medical Services Club, participated in the awareness events organized by the Ministry of Health for World Suicide Prevention Day and World First Aid Day [2].

This participation is part of a joint initiative aimed at highlighting the importance of psychological support in emergency situations and teaching essential first aid skills. The Emergency Medical Services Club at Almaarefa University conducted a series of educational activities and workshops designed to enhance attendees' knowledge of crisis intervention basics and how to provide immediate psychological support to individuals.

The events included interactive lectures and practical demonstrations showcasing model emergency situations and effective handling methods. Educational materials were also distributed, covering first aid strategies, recognizing signs of psychological disorders, and the necessary procedures to support individuals in such cases.

These events underscore Almaarefa University's commitment to actively contributing to public health awareness and enhancing community safety, in line with its goals of providing academic and professional support to the community.

Ramadan Volunteer Campaign - Student volunteering and community support

As part of its social-responsibility program, AlMaarefa University organises an annual Ramadan volunteer campaign (Apr 2024 example) where student volunteers prepare and distribute Iftar meals and provide community assistance to vulnerable groups — a sustained outreach mechanism led by student teams.

As part of the Ramadan volunteer campaign program, and as an embodiment of the values and responsibility of #_University of Community Knowledge, the Wateen Student Club team takes the fasting people on their roads with complete iftar meals. Thank you for the pride of knowledge...our student volunteers [3].

Participation in the Third Health Cluster - Diriyah Hospital outreach

AlMaarefa University participated in the Third Health Cluster at Diriyah Hospital (Jul 30, 2024), presenting academic programs and engaging clinical staff and community visitors — an example of outreach where the university brings tailored lectures, program demonstrations and informational stands directly into a local health setting.

In a significant step towards enhancing collaboration between the academic and healthcare sectors, Almaarefa University recently participated at Diriyah Hospital, part of the Third Health Cluster. The university presented a detailed overview of its various academic programs, with a particular focus on health sciences [4].

Objectives of Participation

The purpose of this participation was to introduce the medical staff and students interested in the healthcare field to the academic programs offered by Almaarefa University and how these programs can enhance the efficiency and skills of professionals in the healthcare sector. Through such events, the university also aims to build bridges of collaboration with healthcare institutions to support scientific research and develop human capacities.

Academic Programs Presented

During the event, the focus was on undergraduate and master's programs in fields such as Nursing, Pharmacy, and Hospital Management. These programs are designed to meet the growing needs of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom and include educational components that emphasize quality and practical application.

Expected Impact

Almaarefa University's participation in the Third Health Cluster at Diriyah Hospital aligns with its strategy to strengthen the interaction between theory and practice in higher education and create opportunities for its students to gain practical experience through training in prestigious healthcare institutions. This participation is expected to raise awareness of the importance of continuous and specialized education in health sciences, as well as enhance future employment opportunities for graduates.

These events also reflect Almaarefa University's commitment to playing an active and influential role in the development of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom. They underscore the importance of partnerships between academic and healthcare sectors in achieving sustainable and comprehensive progress.

Diriyah “They are all walking” - community walking festival & medical stands

AlMaarefa University co-organised the Diriyah community walking festival (‘They are all walking’ / NationalWalkingDay) with local authorities. The event included university medical teams providing BP/glucose checks, health education and public messaging that links environmental/urban activity with public health [5].

As part of its #NationalWalkingDay activities, @AlMaarefa University recommends 30 minutes of daily walking to enhance health.@SaudiVision2030@QOL_2030 pic.twitter.com/u3HslTwgLo

MoU with Imam Mohammad bin Saud Charity - formal partnership to boost volunteering & community services

AlMaarefa University signed a memorandum of understanding with the Imam Mohammad bin Saud Charity (Diriyah) to strengthen cooperation in volunteering, health services and educational programs — formalising university–community partnerships for outreach activities.

The approval of His Excellency the Minister of Education was issued to appoint His Excellency Professor Dr. Walid bin Hussein Muhammad Abu Al-Faraj as Director of Al-Maarifa University, and the university expresses its happiness on this happy occasion and looks forward to achieving a qualitative leap through appointing His Excellency with his high qualifications, as he holds a doctorate in nuclear engineering from The most prestigious American universities, this is due to extensive experience and a long academic history in the field of education. His Excellency has held several prestigious positions, the most prominent of which are the Vice Deanship of King Abdulaziz University for Branches and then Projects [6].

He had previously held, by Royal Decree, the position of Vice President of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, with the rank of Minister, from 03/05/1431 AH to 03/05/1439 AH. His Excellency had also previously assumed the reins of work as Director of Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in the period from 19 02/1430 AH until 02/05/1431 AH.

His Excellency - in addition to academic expertise and leadership positions - has a wide presence in local and international seminars and conferences, and His Excellency has active participation in the membership of many committees, as well as supervising many laboratory projects and laboratories, in addition to supervising many scientific theses. His Excellency has received many certificates of appreciation and commemorative shields. And the merits, the most important of which is the King Abdulaziz Medal, first class.

On this honorable occasion, the Knowledge Family hopes from God - the Almighty - that His Excellency’s joining the university will contribute to improving the level of performance and strengthening the distinguished scientific journey in order to achieve the ambitious goals that the university seeks, most notably raising scientific and educational performance to the desired global level. God is behind the intention, including success.

Research Day

AlMaarefa University’s Research Day includes open calls, poster sessions and presentations intended to disseminate research findings to broader audiences (students from schools, professionals and community members), linking research outreach with educational outreach beyond campus [7].

Deanship of Student Affairs

The Deanship of Admission, Registration and Student Affairs administers volunteer registration and supervision (compiling lists of students interested in volunteering, supporting student councils and supervising programs), enabling the university to coordinate both ad-hoc and scheduled outreach events with community partners [8].

References