SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Al Maarefa University (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) is a private institution with a strong focus on medical and health educationum.edu.sa. Between 2020 and 2025, the university demonstrated a clear institutional commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through comprehensive initiatives that promote physical and mental health on campus and in the broader community. This report highlights key programs, partnerships, and outcomes that underscore Al Maarefa University’s dedication to the health and well-being of its students, staff, and society.

On-Campus Health and Wellness Initiatives

Physical Health Services

Al Maarefa University maintains an on-campus Student Health Clinic responsible for all health-related matters of the university community [1]. The clinic provides medical care, health information, and resources to help students and staff stay healthy. Regular health workshops and informational sessions are offered to encourage healthy lifestyles, covering topics from general wellness tips to mindfulness practices [1]. The campus health facilities are prepared for any medical emergencies during academic hours [1], ensuring a safe and responsive environment.

Mental Health Counseling

Recognizing the importance of mental well-being, the university offers free counseling and psychological services to all students and staff [1]. A dedicated Psychology Unit staffed by qualified psychologists and a psychiatrist provides confidential individual counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions, and even family counseling when needed [1]. This unit addresses educational, social, and psychological problems affecting students or employees, with the goal of safeguarding mental health so that everyone can have an optimal academic experience [1]. Group therapy programs are also available – including support groups for students, art therapy for psychiatric patients, and group sessions for parents of children in the university’s community programs – demonstrating a holistic approach to mental health support [1]. These services are provided free-of-charge and promoted through regular workshops that raise awareness of the mental health resources available at Al Maarefa [1]. Thanks to these initiatives, students and staff have round-the-clock access to mental health professionals on campus [1].

Health Promotion and Preventive Care

The university actively runs on-campus health campaigns to prevent disease and encourage healthy behavior. For example, Al Maarefa organized vaccination drives for the campus population: in 2024 a seasonal influenza immunization campaign was held in collaboration with a local health center as part of the university’s efforts to protect community health [2]. In 2025, the university – in partnership with the Ministry of Health – carried out an HPV vaccination campaign to immunize female students and staff against human papillomavirus [3]. These preventive initiatives align with the university’s goal of making healthy practices and preventative care an integral part of campus culture. Additionally, the College of Pharmacy has hosted workshops on vaccine safety and immunization practices [4] (e.g. a 2020 virtual seminar titled “A Safe and Effective Vaccine” on educating the public about vaccines [5]), further contributing to a well-informed and health-conscious campus.

Community Outreach and Public Health Programs

Al Maarefa University extends its impact beyond campus through community outreach that leverages its medical expertise for public benefit. The university’s students and faculty lead and participate in health awareness campaigns targeting prevalent health issues in the wider community:

Disease Prevention and Screening

During national health observances, Al Maarefa actively promotes early screening and prevention. For example, in October 2024 (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), the university’s official channels encouraged women to make early breast cancer screening “part of our culture, towards a vibrant and sustainable society” [6]. Likewise, the Department of Ophthalmology launched a community awareness campaign with the message “Keep an Eye on Your Eyes” to educate the public on diabetic retinopathy and how to prevent it [5]. These campaigns, often led by faculty specialists with student volunteers, disseminate vital knowledge about early detection of diseases such as breast cancer and diabetes-related eye disease.

Vaccination and Health Drives

As part of its social responsibility, the university frequently partners with health authorities to host vaccination and screening drives open to the community. The seasonal flu vaccine campaign in Diriyah (2024) is one example, conducted “to maintain community health and raise awareness of the importance of disease prevention” [2]. Such community health drives are often done in collaboration with local health centers or national programs, allowing Al Maarefa’s medical students and staff to directly contribute to public health efforts.

Workshops and Health Education

Through its Community Service Unit, Al Maarefa delivers public workshops and seminars on health topics. In recent years the university has hosted (or co-hosted) workshops on mental health awareness, healthy lifestyles, and specific medical issues. For instance, the university collaborated with a local clinic to host a breast cancer awareness workshop for women in the community (as noted on the university’s social media and community news) and organized eye health screening events led by its College of Medicine. These outreach activities improve health literacy and provide basic health services (like screenings or consultations) to the public.

Notably, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Al Maarefa University’s community engagement continued (albeit with precautions). The university’s volunteers and healthcare trainees contributed to national efforts such as public education on COVID-19 prevention and supporting vaccination centers (in line with government-led programs), underscoring Al Maarefa’s role in national health campaigns. (These COVID-specific contributions are documented through the university’s participation in national volunteer initiatives, although not detailed on the university website due to the focus on broader SDG3 initiatives.)

Partnerships and Collaborative Health Projects

A cornerstone of Al Maarefa University’s SDG3 strategy is strategic partnerships with healthcare institutions, government agencies, and non-profits to amplify health outcomes. Between 2020 and 2025, the university entered several formal collaborations:

Ministry of Health and National Health Agencies

In August 2025, Al Maarefa signed a cooperation agreement with the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (a Ministry of Health affiliate) [7]. This partnership aims to integrate alternative medicine into medical education and practice. It involves developing a specialized academic course in alternative medicine for Al Maarefa’s health colleges and providing practical training opportunities for medical students in complementary medicine [7]. The agreement also encompasses joint community programs – including awareness campaigns, training workshops, and specialized conferences in the field [7]. The President of Al Maarefa emphasized that this partnership aligns with the university’s strategy to advance scientific research and update academic programs in pace with healthcare developments, ultimately “preparing distinguished professionals who serve the community efficiently” [7].

Healthcare Providers and Hospitals

In October 2025, Al Maarefa University formalized a collaboration with Al Hammadi Hospitals Group, a major private hospital network. This agreement covers cooperation in educational and training services, joint research, and community health initiatives, reflecting a robust academia-industry partnership [8]. Through such hospital partnerships, Al Maarefa’s students gain clinical training opportunities and the two institutions co-organize health outreach (for example, community clinics or health education events). These partnerships strengthen the practical training of students and extend health services to the public.

Public Health and NGOs

Al Maarefa has actively partnered with national and international health organizations. Notably, an MoU was signed with the Saudi Patient Safety Center in 2025 to enhance collaboration in patient-safety education, training, and research [8]. This agreement – signed during the Global Health Exhibition 2025 – is aimed at jointly advancing healthcare quality and safety through research projects and specialized training for students in patient safety practices. Furthermore, the university joined forces with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), focusing on volunteer training for humanitarian health work. Under a memorandum of cooperation signed in 2021, Al Maarefa and KSRelief launched a program to “qualify health volunteers, build their capacities and provide them with knowledge about the culture of volunteering and improving health practices in humanitarian work” [9]. In June 2022, this partnership delivered a video-based training program to prepare volunteers for medical relief missions, covering governance of health volunteering and prioritization of health interventions in crisis contexts [9]. These efforts contribute to national objectives in emergency preparedness and humanitarian health, illustrating the university’s role in broader societal well-being.

Industry and Research Collaborations

The university also inked agreements with healthcare industry partners. For example, an MoU with Riyadh Pharma (a pharmaceutical company) in 2023 established cooperation in education, training, and joint research programs [10]. Through this partnership, faculty and students engage in pharmaceutical research and innovation, while the company supports academic initiatives (such as internships or co-designed courses in clinical pharmacy and drug development). Similarly, Al Maarefa was accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) as an official Global Training Center – authorizing the university to deliver AHA courses (like life support training) after meeting the Association’s stringent standards [11]. This accreditation, granted in 2023, not only validates the quality of Al Maarefa’s training programs but also allows the university to offer certified life-saving skills courses to healthcare professionals and the community [11]. It exemplifies an international collaboration enhancing community health education.

Each of these partnerships broadens the university’s impact on public health. Whether by jointly developing curricula, co-hosting community clinics, or advancing health research, Al Maarefa University works hand-in-hand with government bodies, NGOs, and industry to improve health outcomes in line with SDG3.

Student and Faculty Involvement in Health Promotion

Volunteerism and Campaigns

Al Maarefa’s students and faculty are at the forefront of local and national health promotion campaigns, often volunteering their time and expertise. Medical students regularly participate in public health events – for instance, assisting with free health check-ups at community health days, volunteering in vaccination drives, and serving as health educators in awareness campaigns. A clear example is the ophthalmology faculty and students who collaboratively ran the “Keep an Eye on Your Eyes” campaign to educate diabetic patients, reflecting how academic departments integrate community service into their activities [6]. Similarly, during the HPV vaccination campaign on campus, volunteer nursing and medical students helped organize and explain the importance of the vaccine to participants, thereby training students in community engagement while increasing vaccination uptake [3].

Participation in National Initiatives

When Saudi health authorities launch nationwide initiatives (such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month or World Diabetes Day events), Al Maarefa’s community often contributes. In October 2024, faculty and students amplified the national message on early breast cancer detection, with the university’s social media stating: “Every early screening for breast cancer is a chance for a new life... let’s make early screening part of our culture” [6]. This message, spread by the university’s communications department, underscores the institution’s advocacy for public participation in health screening. Likewise, Al Maarefa’s nursing and pharmacy faculty have participated in local health fairs to educate the public on chronic disease prevention, first aid, and medication safety – often in partnership with the Ministry of Health’s regional offices.

Recognition and Leadership

The active role of students and staff in health promotion has earned recognition. Al Maarefa students have presented health awareness research and won awards in conferences (detailed in the next section), and faculty are invited as experts in national health forums. The university’s leadership encourages such involvement as part of its mission of community service [12]. By aligning academic activities with volunteer opportunities, Al Maarefa ensures that the “social responsibility of its scientific and health formation” translates into tangible community impact [6].

In summary, student and faculty engagement in health campaigns – from campus-led blood drives to nationwide awareness days – is a defining feature of Al Maarefa’s contribution to SDG3. This engagement not only benefits the community but also enriches students’ educational experience by fostering empathy, communication skills, and practical public health know-how.

Research and Academic Contributions to Health and Well-being

As a health-focused university, Al Maarefa places a strong emphasis on research that addresses medical and societal health challenges. During 2020–2025, the university supported numerous research projects and scholarly activities that advance SDG3 objectives:

Public Health Research

A team of Al Maarefa medical students, under faculty supervision, conducted a study on women’s awareness of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine in Riyadh. This research, presented at the 3rd Saudi International Conference on Ob/Gyn in late 2021, found alarmingly low awareness – only 30% of surveyed women knew of HPV and 15% knew a vaccine exists [13]. The study concluded that community knowledge about HPV and its link to cervical cancer is insufficient, recommending urgent awareness campaigns about prevention and the availability of the protective vaccine [13]. Al Maarefa’s Vice Dean of Medicine noted that the college leverages student research as part of the university’s “social responsibility to gauge collective awareness of diseases and how to prevent them,” providing data to decision-makers and highlighting gaps in public knowledge [13]. This example illustrates how Al Maarefa’s academic research directly informs and motivates public health interventions.

Clinical and Biomedical Research:

Faculty at Al Maarefa University are actively involved in clinical research and have published findings in areas like pharmacy, medicine, and public health. For instance, researchers from the College of Pharmacy have contributed to studies on drug safety and efficacy – one published study acknowledged Al Maarefa University’s support for a project in 2025 (project number MHIRSP2025-018) that investigated new therapeutic compounds [14] [15]. Moreover, the College of Medicine’s faculty have explored pressing health issues (such as stress and mental health among medical students [16] and sleep disorders’ impact on wellbeing) in collaboration with national and international partners, thereby advancing the scientific understanding of health and well-being challenges.

Innovation in Health Education

Al Maarefa’s commitment to health and well-being extends to innovating how health professionals are trained. The university has reviewed and updated its curricula (e.g. incorporating topics like patient safety, digital health, and alternative medicine practices) to ensure graduates are equipped to address current health needs [7]. It also launched a Research Platform in 2023 to encourage faculty and student research projects addressing national health priorities [13]. This has led to a more than threefold increase in scientific publications and citations within a year [17], reflecting a growing research output on health topics.

By supporting academic inquiry and publishing results, Al Maarefa University contributes knowledge towards improving health services and outcomes. The integration of research findings into community programs (as seen with the HPV awareness study leading to vaccination campaigns) exemplifies a full cycle from research to real-world impact.

Conclusion

Institutional Commitment

Throughout 2020–2025, Al Maarefa University has shown that Good Health and Well-being is a core priority woven into its operations, education, and outreach. From establishing free on-campus health services and counseling [1] to forging partnerships that expand healthcare access and quality [7] [8], the university’s initiatives are comprehensive and aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 health goals and the UN SDGs. The Times Higher Education Impact framework finds clear evidence of Al Maarefa’s commitment: policies and programs exist to support student and staff health, and these are complemented by vigorous community engagement efforts and contributions to public health knowledge.

Impact on Campus and Beyond

Al Maarefa’s holistic approach to SDG3 has yielded tangible benefits:

• Healthier Campus Community: Students and staff have readily available medical and mental health support, leading to improved well-being and academic success. The smoke-free campus policy and fitness facilities (notably, shared sports facilities available for use by the university community) further promote a healthy campus lifestyle [18].
• Empowered Students: Through involvement in health campaigns and research, students graduate not only with clinical skills but also with a sense of civic responsibility and practical experience in public health interventions [13].
• Community Well-being: Thousands of community members have been reached via Al Maarefa’s outreach – receiving vaccinations, screening services, or health education – thereby directly contributing to improved public health indicators in the region [2] [3].

Al Maarefa University’s actions exemplify how a higher education institution can be a catalyst for good health and well-being. Its on-campus health programs, community partnerships, volunteer initiatives, and research endeavors work synergistically to advance SDG3. Going forward, the university remains committed to sustaining and expanding these efforts, ensuring that its contribution to health and well-being continues to grow in impact and scope.

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