SDG 4: QUALITY EDUCATION

4.3.5 Does your university as a body have a policy that ensures that access to these activities is accessible to all, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability or gender?

Human Resources: vision and mission

AlMaarefa University’s Human Resources Department maintains a clear mission and values oriented to providing a supportive, merit-based and equitable work environment. The HR page describes processes for recruitment, development and staff services designed to ensure fair treatment and access to employment-related activities for all personnel.

Human Resource Management

Human resources management at Al-Maarifa University is considered the backbone for achieving the university's strategic goals through providing, developing and managing human talent. With responsibilities extending from aligning human resources policies and processes with the needs and goals of the university, to developing a fair and rewarding system of incentives and benefits to enhance loyalty and belonging among employees. The administration is committed to attracting and maintaining distinguished talents, and supervises the implementation of administrative work plans and development and improvement programmes. By engaging in business automation and implementing HRMS, management improves administrative efficiency and facilitates employee training and development processes. Preparing and evaluating job analysis for all jobs ensures that employee performance is consistent with the university’s goals, while employee performance is evaluated periodically to ensure continuous development. The administration is also responsible for evaluating and following up on medical insurance services, supervising personnel affairs, and ensuring the application of occupational safety standards. In addition, it works to resolve labor disputes, propose amendments to human resources policies, and supervise government relations services, while recording and updating employee data in official systems. At its core, Human Resources Management at Al-Maarifa University plays a vital role in improving the quality of work, ensuring achievement, and fostering a work environment that encourages creativity and excellence [1].

The Vision

The Human Resources Department should be a model of high-quality services provided to its employees and faculty members to achieve high-performance human capital [1].

Mission

Achieving the aspirations of beneficiaries by providing quality services that attract, motivate, and retain the university’s human resources in a supportive work environment [1].

AI workshops and Enablthone for people with disabilities

AlMaarefa University faculty led workshops on AI applications for mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities, integrating academic research with mental-health capacity building. The workshops reflect institutional investment in skills and services that can strengthen mental-health screening and support.

Applications for Supporting and Treating Individuals with Disabilities” will be held from December 1 to 4, 2024. These workshops, taking place on campus, will bring together local and international experts in artificial intelligence and healthcare [2].

Workshop Details

The series includes nine workshops focused on AI applications for supporting and treating various types of disabilities. These sessions will showcase the latest research and innovative technologies in the field. The workshops are scheduled as follows:

December 1, 2024:

AI Applications for Supporting Individuals with Visual Impairment (8:00 AM – 1:00 PM), led by Dr. Amani Badawi from AlMaarefa University, with participation from Mr. Mohammed Saad and Mr. Abdulaziz Al Shamasi, Digital Transformation Executives.

Supporting Individuals with Hearing Disabilities (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM), led by Prof. Ameen Bawazir from AlMaarefa University, with contributions from Dr. Abdullah Madhesh and Dr. Omar Alawaji from Shaqra University.

AI for Psychosocial Disabilities (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM), led by Prof. Ashit Kumar Dutta from AlMaarefa University, with Dr. Rafat, a psychiatrist from King Fahad Medical City.

December 2, 2024:

AI for Speech Impairment (8:00 AM – 1:00 PM), led by Dr. Mohammed Alzahrani from AlMaarefa University, with Ms. Noha Halawani from King Fahad Medical City.

Training Course on AI and Sign Language in Health Communication (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM), led by Dr. Mohammed Alzahrani from AlMaarefa University, with Dr. Ali Alhazani from the Sign Language Society.

AI Applications for Learning Disabilities (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM), led by Prof. Syed Basheeruddin Asdaq from AlMaarefa University, with Dr. Ali Alasmari from Prince Sattam University.

December 3, 2024:

AI for Mental Disorders (8:00 AM – 1:00 PM), led by Dr. Shahabuddin Shaikh from AlMaarefa University, with Dr. Hamed Askar from the Sign Language Society.

AI for Autism Spectrum Disorder (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM), led by Dr. Khaldoun Marwa from AlMaarefa University, with contributions from Prof. Laila Al-Ayadhi from King Saud University and Dr. Abdulrahman Wahab from King Faisal University.

December 4, 2024:

AI Applications for Physical Disabilities (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM), led by Dr. Fuzail Ahmed from AlMaarefa University, with Dr. Faisal S. Al-Dahmashy, Assistant Deputy Minister for Hospital Services.

Target Audience

These workshops are aimed at researchers, academics, healthcare practitioners, and developers, with the goal of enhancing knowledge about using AI to support individuals with disabilities and exploring new avenues for improving their quality of life.

Registration

Registration is open on the university’s website. For more details about the workshop schedule and additional information, please visit: http://ai-disability.um.edu.sa.

Regulations Governing the Training of Interns (College of Medicine)

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AlMaarefa University’s Regulations Governing the Training of Interns formalise supervised clinical placements in partner hospitals and specify the vocational training framework. These regulations enable the university to host externally-oriented vocational training under formal agreements [3].

The College of Medicine’s Internship Regulations formally set out interns’ rights, grievance procedures and disciplinary safeguards, providing institutional mechanisms to protect trainees from harassment or unfair treatment and ensuring access to redress.

Research Day

AlMaarefa University Research Day proceedings include studies and data disaggregated by demographic variables (including gender) and topics such as mental health, demonstrating institutional attention to diversity-sensitive research and outreach [4].

MoU with charities and health institutes

AlMaarefa University has signed MoUs with charitable organizations and health research institutes (e.g., the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine; Insan Orphan Care), institutionalizing community service collaborations that expand access to services for vulnerable groups.

Signing of a Cooperation Agreement to Enhance Quality of Life between Almaarefa University and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Dr. Ibtisam bint Mohammed Al-Madhi, President of the Saudi Wellness Association – one of the associations of Almaarefa University – signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This memorandum aims to establish scientific and research collaboration in developing and improving wellness practices, with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for individuals and the community [5].

Agreement between the Charitable Society for Orphan Care (Insan) and Al-Ma’rifa University

Al-Maarifa University signed a memorandum of understanding for joint cooperation with the Charitable Society for Orphan Care “Insan” on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 AD at the university’s headquarters in South Sudair Hall. This agreement comes as an embodiment of the comprehensive renaissance that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing at all levels, especially the health sectors [6]. And education, in completion of the message carried by the two parties, and as a contribution from them to building the knowledge and scientific society, and enhancing integration and participation between them in the frameworks of knowledge exchange and practical application, and since the reality of providing health services and building the knowledge society requires concerted and integrated efforts in Everything that would advance these aspects enhances the importance of this agreement, and the importance of concerted efforts to achieve the goal of the agreement, and since Al-Ma’rifa University is a scientific academic training institution subject to the supervision of the Ministry of Education, and it educates, trains and qualifies high school graduates to obtain a bachelor’s degree in medicine, surgery, pharmacy, and other specialties. Various health and technical services needed by all governmental and private sectors, and equivalent programs and training courses.

The university was represented by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Zaid bin Muhammad Al-Zamil, while the association was represented by the General Director of the Association, Mr. Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Yousef. A group of the association’s employees and the university’s employees participated in attending the signing ceremony of this memorandum.

This agreement aims to develop the human cadres sponsored by the association and qualify them to obtain an academic degree in the fields available at the university and raise the level of performance of workers and students in improving the medical services provided in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through education, training, continuous development and fruitful cooperation between the two parties in order to achieve part of the Kingdom Vision 2030 initiatives.

Public outreach: fairs, Global Health Forum participation (access to information and services)

AlMaarefa participates in public exhibitions and health forums where university staff provide admission guidance, scholarship information and community health services — activities aimed at widening access for diverse populations.

Knowledge University signs a cooperation agreement in the field of educational, training, research and community service services with the Saudi Japanese Pharmaceutical Company “SAGA”

His Excellency Eng. Mohammed bin Zaid Al Zamil, CEO of the University of Knowledge Company, signed a cooperation and joint work agreement with the Saudi Japanese Pharmaceutical Products Company Limited (SAJA), which was signed on its behalf by Dr. Mohammed Hassan Khalil, CEO of SAJA [7].

The agreement aims to enhance cooperation between them and build their strategic relationship to qualify and develop the capabilities of male and female students of the University of Knowledge and support the health sector in the scientific fields and scientific research, which contributes to achieving development in the health sector and enhancing its competitiveness.

The agreement stipulates joint cooperation between the University of Knowledge and Saga Company in providing specialized training programs for male and female students of the university in general in the field of pharmaceutical products, enhancing research capabilities between the two parties to implement projects based on research, innovation and development, and enhancing their role in developing the health sector and benefiting from the expertise of their existing scientific competencies.

In addition to cooperation in organizing joint scientific and training activities, seminars, workshops, conferences and courses on scientific topics related to the health aspect, and implementing a number of community service programs and volunteer activities, in addition to the service of enhancing the employment of university graduates.

The agreement was signed at the Global Health Forum, in the presence of a number of officials from both sides.

TEDx University Almaarefa

AlMaarefa’s TEDx and event programmes include talks and panels on AI applications for accessibility and supporting people with disabilities, open lectures that provide knowledge transfer and encourage cross-sector collaboration.

AlMaarefa University hosted TEDx University Almaarefa, a campus TEDx conference featuring invited speakers and open public registration. The event provided public lectures and inspirational talks to students, professionals and members of the public, strengthening community engagement and lifelong learning [8].

AlMaarefa University organized the TEDx University Almaarefa event, a licensed TEDx conference designed to promote the exchange of ideas and inspire innovative thinking within the community. The conference, which featured invited speakers from diverse professional and academic backgrounds, was open to the public through an accessible registration process.

Through a series of public lectures, motivational talks, and knowledge-sharing sessions, the event offered valuable learning opportunities not only for AlMaarefa students, but also for professionals, educators, and members of the broader community. By hosting TEDx University Almaarefa, the institution reinforced its commitment to community engagement, open access to educational experiences, and the promotion of lifelong learning.

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