King Khalid University concluded its participation in the International Education Exhibition (EDGEx), held in Riyadh from April 13 to 16, 2025, under the generous patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect him – and organized by the Ministry of Education. The university participated as a Diamond Sponsor of this international event, coinciding with the activities of the Human Capability Development Conference, held under the slogan "Beyond Readiness for the Future," with broad local and international participation from universities, academic institutions, and research centers. This participation formed a strategic platform through which the university showcased its most prominent initiatives in developing education, research, and innovation.

His Excellency the President of King Khalid University, Prof. Faleh bin Rajaallah Al-Solami, noted the significant attention that education receives from our wise leadership, praising the efforts of the Ministry of Education in organizing this unique event and the stimulating environment it provided for academic communication and partnership building.

For his part, the Vice President for Educational Affairs and Head of the Supervisory Committee, Prof. Saad bin Mohammed bin Dajam, affirmed that the university's participation was a true reflection of the national strategic directions, indicating that this orientation also reflects the university's pursuit of globalization and the strengthening of its position as a leading educational institution.

The university's pavilion witnessed a prominent official presence, led by His Excellency the Minister of Education, Prof. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, who was briefed on the university's initiatives in the fields of artificial intelligence, e-learning, and scientific research, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the integration between education and technology to serve the requirements of national development. The pavilion was also visited by the Deputy Minister of Education for Special Education and Investment, Eng. Eyad Al-Garawi, as well as a number of presidents of local, Arab, and international universities, ambassadors, and those interested in the education sector.

Within a series of specialized workshops, a number of university leaders participated in discussion sessions that addressed the future of education, research, and innovation. His Excellency the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Hamid bin Majdou' Al-Qarni, emphasized in a workshop titled "Promoting Research and Innovation through University-Led Strategies in the Kingdom" the "keenness to present a university model that integrates with the region's strategy and enhances the university's position in supporting innovation and human capital."

In the same workshop, the Vice Dean of the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, pointed out that "universities are capable of leading the national innovation ecosystem through clear strategies that keep pace with challenges and support development."

For her part, the Director of the Prince Sultan Center for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development of Natural Resources, Dr. Rahmah bint Nasser Al-Qathaneen, affirmed in a workshop titled "Promoting Research and Innovation through University Strategies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" that "the culture of innovation begins with identifying research priorities and developing infrastructure, which is a fundamental pillar in the King Khalid University model."

Meanwhile, the Dean of the Deanship of E-Services, Dr. Hamed bin Saleh Al-Qahtani, during his participation in the workshop "Digital Transformation at King Khalid University - Global Destination and Vision Ambition," explained that "digital transformation is a commitment, not an option, and this has strengthened the university's leading position in technological transformation in the Kingdom."

In the same context, the Advisor to the University President and Supervisor of the Strategy and Initiatives Department, Professor Abdulrahman bin Saleh Al-Sayari, emphasized in a workshop titled "Strategic Twinning between the Asir Region and King Khalid University" that "aligning the university's strategy with the region has enabled it to present a unique model in developmental and academic integration."

While the Deputy CEO of the Applied College and Director of the Artificial Intelligence Center at the university, Dr. Ali Al Musfer Al-Qahtani, addressed the most prominent challenges facing the use of artificial intelligence in education in a workshop titled "Uses of Artificial Intelligence in Education," stressing that "technical readiness and governance form the basis for effectively employing artificial intelligence."

In a related aspect, the Advisor to the University's Agency for Educational Affairs and Director of the Interdisciplinary Studies and Programs Office, Dr. Saad bin Fahd Al-Qahtani, explained in a workshop titled "The Impact of Academic Automation and Digital Platforms on Enhancing Educational Excellence and Sustainable Human Capacity Development" that "transforming data into actionable insights is what gives universities a competitive advantage and enhances the sustainability of human capabilities."

At the partnerships level, the university strengthened its institutional presence at the exhibition by signing a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding with local and international entities, with the aim of expanding the network of cooperation and integrating efforts in the fields of education, research, and community services. His Excellency signed an agreement with the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education, as well as various MOUs with South Kazakhstan University, Al-Madawah Specialist Medical Hospital, the Saudi Center for Philosophy and Ethics and the Cinema Association.

The partnerships also included MOUs with the General Presidency of the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the Saudi Society of Endodontics, Baseera Institute for Consulting and Social Studies, Al-Dhabt Law Firm and Legal Consultations, and Qudrat Al-Oula Business Services Company.

Further cooperation agreements include the Saudi Center for Sports Arbitration, the Investment Academy for Training, the National Center for Assessment, and the Institute of Studies. In addition to a service contract with the Prince Sultan Center for Defense Studies and Research,

As part of highlighting the university's cultural identity, its pavilion provided hospitality through university students, who presented a professional hospitality experience inspired by the identity of the Asir region. International students also participated in presenting the pavilion's content, reflecting the cultural diversity that the university embraces and its orientation towards global outlook. The university presented symbolic gifts that reflect the culture of the region.

At the conclusion of the exhibition, His Excellency the Minister of Education, Prof. Yousef Al-Benyan, honored King Khalid University for its diamond sponsorship and its exceptional participation that contributed to enriching the exhibition with digital and innovative academic content, reflecting the development of higher education in the Kingdom.