SDG 17: PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOALS

17.2.3 Does your university as a body participate in international collaboration on gathering or measuring data for the SDGs?

Strategic partnership with Ulster University (UK)

Al Maarefa University signed a cooperation agreement with Ulster University to boost research and academic exchange in health sciences, enabling joint projects, faculty development and student mobility opportunities [1].

Exclusive agreement & exchanges with Monash University (Australia)

AlMaarefa University maintains a long-term partnership with Monash University (Australia) that includes student/faculty exchanges, exclusive delivery of Monash training courses through the Colleges and joint capacity-building activities. These arrangements facilitate academic collaboration, joint training, and exchange of practices and datasets, strengthening the university’s ability to contribute comparative evidence and research outputs across institutions.

In continuation of the aspects of cooperation between the knowledge colleges and Monash University, Australia, an exclusive agreement was signed between the two sides, under which all training courses and courses offered by Monash University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be offered exclusively through knowledge colleges, including training and specialized courses in the professional and technical field of health for college students, and practicing specialists in the public and private sectors, and this agreement comes within the colleges’ keenness to conclude partnerships and cooperation with prestigious universities and academic institutions in support of the march of scientific colleges on Local and global level [2].

The agreement was signed on behalf of the colleges by His Excellency the General Supervisor of the Colleges, Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdul Rahman Al-Mulhim, and on the part of Monash University, Her Excellency Dr. Sarah Newton, Vice Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences for University Relations, in the presence of His Excellency the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Colleges of Knowledge Dr. Zaid bin Muhammad Al-Zamil and His Excellency Dr. Nizar Farjo, Co-President for the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia at Monash University. The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency the Vice Dean for Development and Quality, Dr. Muhammad Al-Khairi, the Acting Dean of the College of Pharmacy, His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Al-Yamani, the Dean of the College of Applied Sciences, His Excellency Dr. Yasser Al-Turki, and the Head of the Emergency Medical Services Department, His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Al-Zahrani [3].

The signing of the agreement was preceded by mutual visits between the two sides, during which many topics and aspects of cooperation were discussed, and the exclusive agreement that was signed was reached, which aims to offer many specialized courses required in various health fields, which enhances the colleges’ contribution to development and continuing education, and achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020 by enhancing the role of the private sector and its contributions in the relevant fields.

It is worth mentioning that the Colleges of Knowledge were established in 2009, and include three colleges: the College of Medicine, the College of Pharmacy, and the College of Applied Sciences. It offers many specializations for a bachelor’s degree, namely: medicine, pharmacy, nursing, respiratory care, emergency medical services, and information systems, and knowledge colleges seek to continue to improve their services through their future project “Knowledge University”, which includes six colleges, a hospital with a capacity of 300 beds, a research center, a conference and business center, and a hotel, in a distinguished knowledge environment that serves the region, and competes at the local, regional and global levels.

Participation and agreements at the Global Health Forum / Global Health Expo (policy dialogues and signings)

AlMaarefa University participated with a dedicated pavilion at the Global Health Forum / Global Health Expo (Oct 2024), delivering workshops, presenting applied research and signing cooperation agreements with health authorities, industry and NGOs. This presence enabled cross-sectoral dialogue on health policy, innovation and implementation between academia, government and private partners.

#_University_of_Maarefa concludes its participation for the second day in the #_Global_Health_Forum, and we look forward to meeting you tomorrow at 10:00 am at the University of Maarefa booth No. H3B-J59 [4] [5].

Partnership with King Salman Center for Disability Research

AlMaarefa University, in collaboration with the King Salman Center for Disability Research, hosted the AI Enablthone (series of 9 workshops and a hackathon, Nov 2024) that gathered academics, government specialists and industry partners to co-design AI solutions for disability inclusion — an example of cross-sectoral co-production of policy-relevant technologies.

AI Enablathon

AlMaarefa University’s AI Enablathon and related hackathons include virtual workshops and open registration, enabling participation from learners and professionals outside the university. These events supply digital learning resources, mentoring, and access to computing resources for participants (virtual lab environments and guidance from academic supervisors) [6].

Reception / exchanges with international delegations

AlMaarefa University hosted delegations from international bodies (e.g., the Sudanese National Council for Medical Specialties, March 8, 2023). Such bilateral exchanges include technical discussions and training agreements that enable comparative data exchange, benchmarking and cross-country collaboration on indicators related to health education and workforce metrics.

The Colleges of Knowledge, represented by His Excellency the General Supervisor, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Mulhim, the Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Mamoun Qarmali, Dr. Sami Fathi Bilal, and Professor Abdulaziz Abu Bakr, received a delegation from the Sudanese National Council for Medical Specialties, represented by the Secretary-General of the Council, Dr. Sheikh Al-Siddiq Badr, and Dr. Kamal Khalafallah, Secretary of the Training Secretariat of the Medical Specialties Council, Dr. Omar Al-Adil, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the International University of Africa and Director of the Council’s Development and Simulation Center, and Professor Montaser Mamoun, Executive Director of the National Council, were briefed on the most prominent work of the colleges and their goals, and discussed ways of joint cooperation, activating joint programs, and developing methods of training and research methods. Taking advantage of college laboratories to provide courses [7].

At the conclusion of the meeting, the General Supervisor of Colleges, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Mulhim, thanked and appreciated the visit of the delegation from the Sudanese National Council for Medical Specialties, working on the agreement, and working in the near future.

Research and Innovation Camp - student projects with external partners

AlMaarefa University’s Research and Innovation Camp (2024) showcased student projects addressing national challenges and engaged external partners (industry and public bodies) in judging, mentoring and scaling solutions, a cross-sectoral forum linking student research to policy and practice.

The Research and Innovation Camp of 2024 has concluded its research project presentations, showcasing an impressive array of studies that reflect the creativity and innovation of the participating students [8].

References