Al Maarefa University’s Commitment to SDG 16: Advancing Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions through Education and Advocacy

Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions to create societies that are equitable, inclusive, and governed by the rule of law. Al Maarefa University, situated in Saudi Arabia, recognizes the significance of SDG 16 and is actively engaged in initiatives that contribute to building peaceful communities, fostering justice, and strengthening institutions.

Legal and Social Justice Education:

Al Maarefa University plays a pivotal role in promoting peace and justice through legal and social justice education. The university offers programs that equip students with an understanding of legal principles, human rights, conflict resolution, and social justice issues. By educating future professionals who are knowledgeable about legal and ethical considerations, the university contributes to building just and equitable societies.

Advocacy for Human Rights and Rule of Law:

The university advocates for human rights, the rule of law, and ethical governance through academic research, workshops, seminars, and public events. Al Maarefa University’s initiatives encourage critical thinking and public discourse on issues related to justice, equality, and the importance of strong institutions.

Empowering Civil Society:

Al Maarefa University supports the development of civil society by engaging with non-governmental organizations, community groups, and advocacy networks. Through collaboration and partnerships, the university contributes to the capacity-building of civil society organizations working to promote human rights, social justice, and good governance.

Conflict Resolution and Mediation Programs:

The university offers conflict resolution and mediation programs that equip individuals with the skills to resolve disputes peacefully. Al Maarefa University’s training initiatives promote dialogue, negotiation, and understanding, contributing to the prevention and mitigation of conflicts within communities.

Ethical Leadership Development:

Al Maarefa University emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and integrity in building strong institutions. The university’s programs nurture ethical values, transparency, and accountability among students, preparing them to become responsible leaders who uphold the principles of justice and good governance.

Partnerships with Government and Institutions:

The university collaborates with governmental bodies, institutions, and organizations to support the development of strong, transparent, and accountable governance structures. Al Maarefa University’s partnerships contribute to the enhancement of institutions that are essential for promoting peace, justice, and sustainable development.

Promotion of Access to Justice:

Al Maarefa University promotes access to justice by engaging in projects that address legal and social barriers to justice. The university’s initiatives support marginalized communities, providing legal education, awareness campaigns, and advocacy to ensure that everyone has equitable access to legal remedies and protection of their rights.

Al Maarefa University’s commitment to SDG 16 is evident through its multifaceted efforts to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions. By providing education in legal and social justice, advocating for human rights, empowering civil society, offering conflict resolution programs, fostering ethical leadership, and collaborating with various stakeholders, the university plays a pivotal role in advancing a society that upholds the principles of peace, justice, and ethical governance. Through its dedication, Al Maarefa University contributes significantly to creating a more inclusive, just, and peaceful future for Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Students Clubs:

https://www.um.edu.sa/en/node/213

Any group of students is entitled to apply to start a new student club that holds their interests, hobbies or talents together; provided that they meet all the conditions and requirements approved by the Student Activities Department.

This will allow more autonomy to students who will be obligated to meet these standards. Types of Clubs include:

Specialized clubs: College of Medicine club, College of Pharmacy club, College of Applied sciences club.

General clubs: Reading club, Integrity club.

Students’ initiatives’ club: Almaarefa Experts.

The Procedures Guide for the Student Council

https://www.um.edu.sa/en/node/558

Article 1:

This regulation outlines the rules governing the structure and powers of the Student Council at the University.

The Student Council operates under the supervision of the Student Affairs Administration.

The Student Council represents all students of the university across all majors.

Article 2: Scope of Application

This regulation applies to the Student Council, including all its committees and members.

Article 3: Objectives

Paying attention to conveying students’ voices and opinions to the responsible administrations.

Enhancing communication channels between the university administration, students, and faculty members.

Activating student activities and initiatives in all forms.

Contributing to raising students’ awareness of the rules and regulations of the University.

Article 4: Membership

1- All enrolled students at the University have the right to apply for membership in the Student Council, according to the following conditions:

The student should have a good disciplinary record and not be subject to any disciplinary measures related to behavior.

The remaining academic period for the student should be one year or more.

The student may be warned due to a significant decrease in their academic GPA.

2- Termination of Membership:

2-1. Membership in the Student Council ends in the following cases:

A. Graduating from the University.

B. Withdrawing from the University.

C. Permanent expulsion from the University.

2-2. Membership in the Student Council may be suspended for a period determined by the Administrative Committee in the following cases:

A. The student suspends their studies (apology) for one or more semesters.

B. The student is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Council without an acceptable excuse.

C. The student exhibits a lack of cooperation with their colleagues and does not fulfill the assigned tasks.

2-3. Based on the Administrative Supervisor’s recommendation, the Student Council may drop a student’s membership, and the student cannot reapply for membership in the following cases:

When the student violates the Council’s bylaws

Violating the general regulations and rules of the University of Knowledge.

Article 5: Election Mechanism

5-1: The nomination process for the Student Council membership begins in the first week of the academic year and continues for a maximum of one week.

5-2: The Administrative Supervisor sorts the nominated names, and personal interviews are conducted to ensure compliance with the conditions stated in Article 4-1.

5-3: Voting is open to all students for a period ranging from one week to a maximum of one week.

5-4: After the voting period ends, the Administrative Supervisor counts the votes, and the results are announced.

5-5: The internal structure is determined through an internal vote among the Council members to elect the President and Vice President.

5-6: The term of the Council will be for one academic year, and its activities will commence from the announcement of the results until the end of the spring semester.

5-7: The Council has the right to request an extension for another academic year with a recommendation from the Administrative Supervisor.

Adaa: The National Center for Performance Measurement

https://www.adaa.gov.sa/en/about-adaa

The National Center for Performance Measurement “Adaa” is an independent government body, founded on the 6th of Muharram 1437H after the Council of Ministers approved its establishment, based on the recommendation of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs. 

Adaa reports directly to the prime minister, and aims to build and initialize performance measurement processes in public entities by providing the necessary support through the utilization of unified tools and models that assist public entities in their ability and efficiency to deliver better performance.

Adaa publishes quarterly reports on delivery progress of strategic goals, initiatives and KPIs of public entities to track their development in realizing Saudi vision 2030, in addition to measuring beneficiary satisfaction on public services.

Vision  

To be a leading world class performance measurement center driving organizational excellence and achievement of the national vision.

Mission

To implement processes that measure public entity performance and offer the support to achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, associated development plans, and improve communication with beneficiaries.

Values

Accountability – Accuracy – Efficiency – Collaboration – Trust – Transparency.

Adaa’s Mandate

1.     To continuously build and develop performance measurement tools and indicators.
2. To deliver reports on the performance of public entities which can be employed in the process of developing government performance.
3. To support the process of developing public services by measuring the quality of services and beneficiary satisfaction.
4. To support public entities in achieving their strategic plans through indicators that help them achieve their goals and initiatives.
5. To prioritize and analyze difficulties public entities face in the process of achieving their goals and find fit solutions.
6. To spread the culture of measuring, examining and improving public entities performance and enhance their abilities in measurement.

Performance Measurement Operations

Based on the mandate of the National Center for Performance Measurement “Adaa”, which was issued by the Council of Ministers resolution (323), on the second of Sha’ban 1437H. The third article entails that the purpose of establishing Adaa is to measure the performance of public entities by conducting mandatory, unified templates, frameworks and tools in order to support their capabilities and efficiency, and to quarterly report on the outcomes of their performance.

The National Center for Performance Measurement “Adaa” has developed a performance measurement framework based on best global practices, to support public entities by measuring the realization of their mandated objectives, targets, and initiatives, as well as measuring beneficiary satisfaction on public services. These data are then consolidated into quarterly performance reports, and sent to be reviewed and endorsed by the Board of Directors in order to be raised to the Prime Minister based on Adaa’s policy.

The Purpose of Measuring the Performance of Public Entities

1. To support the efforts of improving and developing public services by measuring quality of services provided by public entities and beneficiary satisfaction.
2. To support public entities in achieving their ambitions and strategic objectives based on performance indicators that ensure successful fulfilment of their objectives, initiatives and endorsed projects.
3. To identify and analyze risks and obstacles that face entities when working towards their objectives and to recommend potential solutions.

Main Pillars of Measuring the Performance of Public Entities

1. To measure the realization of objectives and targets: Key performance indicators (KPIs), primarily outcome-based KPIs, are used to evaluate entities progress towards achieving their mandated objectives and targets.
2. To measure the realization of initiatives: Public entities provide Adaa with Vision related initiatives, Adaa then generates reports on the level of realizing Milestones of initiatives, and Outputs.
3. To measure beneficiary satisfaction: Different methods including surveys, site-visits, and applications are used to measure the quality of services provided by public entities.

National Statistical Data Program “Masdar”

https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/page/170-1

“Masdar” is an ambitious program that is implemented by the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) to build a comprehensive national statistical database in which all statistical data from different internal and external sources are collected to produce the classifications, indicators and analyses needed by data users and analysts inside and outside GaStat to be used as a statistical reference to support decision making and different developments plans.

Program Objectives:
The main objective of this program is to build national statistical databases in GaStat based on statistical data collected from all government entities producing statistical data, “Data Sources”, to serve the statistical needs of the Kingdom and users of statistical data from government agencies, private sector, international organizations, research institutions and data users in general, thereby linking the “Producer” and the “Consumer” to statistical data.
How are preliminary data extracted?
The preliminary data needed by the program are obtained through linking GaStat with 33 government agencies from ministries, authorities, and establishments owning and producing statistical data. These data are gathered in the form of usable information in an integrated information system that supports the decision making for ministries and decision makers in Saudi Arabia. It also provides a comprehensive and homogeneous communication mechanisms for users to view data and make decisions.
What are the benefits of the program?
One of the expected benefits of the program is that it will strengthen the capacity of government agencies to deliver its statistical data by forming a link between data producers and users through the adoption of statistical data sharing platforms “SDMX” and the delivery of data to decision makers in different government agencies who will be able to analyse and implement business decisions based on ready information based on data collected from different sources and consolidated into a single database.
Statistical Products:

1. Interactive statistical data portal: 
   The main portal which contains statistical indicators and metadata is grouped and classified in interactive graphical interfaces and charts that can be customized by user, reviewed and downloaded in multiple formats including Excel and PDF.
2. Smart phone applications for statistical indicators:
   Applications on smart phones and tablets for interactive statistical indicators with direct contact between smart devices users and GaStat. It displays the most prominent statistical indicators and provides the possibility of interaction with users.
3. Data Exchange with the beneficiaries:
   Data and metadata exchange service with relevant agencies through the SDMX standard form for data exchange, to meet the needs of data exchange between producers and users and regulate the relationship between them in the exchange of data and indicators.
4. Interactive Data Portal for Entities:
   An interactive electronic portal for data beneficiary entities. It contains indicators of sector/entity, classified in interactive graphical interfaces containing statistical indicators and metadata through tables and charts.
5. Self-service indicator builder:
   Self-service for data through which the user builds his data and charts by selecting the data he needs from the lists displayed by the system, create new indicators from the available statistical data, and save the indicators in the private portal of each user.