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The work of the International Forum for Saudi Universities Graduates in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Surrounding Countries continued for two days. Its activities comprised 6 scientific sessions, 5 workshops, and diverse programs that addressed the role of Saudi university graduates in promoting sustainable development in their countries. More than 400 graduates from Nigeria, Chad, Mali, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo participated in the forum. The forum was organized with the aim of strengthening academic communication, documenting the impact of Saudi education in supporting sustainable development in the African continent, and affirming the Kingdom's scientific and humanitarian presence in its regional and international sphere through its graduates who have contributed to serving their communities and achieving sustainable development in their countries.
The first day witnessed the first session, titled "Contributions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sustainable Development in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Surrounding Countries," chaired by the Vice President for Educational Affairs at King Khalid University, Professor Dr. Saad bin Mohammed bin Da'jam. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al-Arifi from the Ministry of Education participated, speaking about the Kingdom's experience in promoting the methodology of moderation and combating terrorism. Professor Dr. Hussein bin Mohammed Al Obaid from King Khalid University discussed the developmental role of the knowledge economy in light of scarce resources. Dr. Sami bin Safar Al-Shahrani from Najran University participated on the impact of Saudi university graduates on development, while Dr. Ali bin Mohammed Abu Dahham from Najran University discussed the role of inspiring leadership and its effect on development.
The second session was also held, titled "Saudi University Graduates and Their Impact on Sustainable Development: Enablers and Societal Foundations," chaired by the Vice President for Business and Investment at Najran University, Professor Dr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al Hazmi. It included presentations of papers on the enablers for international students to achieve sustainable development goals by Dr. Mohammed bin Ahmed Daouri from Tabuk University, building a research identity with societal impact by Dr. Mansour bin Maza'l Al-Enezi from Tabuk University, financial sustainability in endowments and its impact on development by Dr. Mohammed bin Khalil Al-Shiikhi from Tabuk University, and the role of educational institutions established by Saudi university graduates in achieving sustainable development in the Republic of Chad by Professor Al Sharif Mohammed Nour.
The third session was dedicated to a meeting with the Cultural Attaché in the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Maghreb countries, Professor Dr. Mansour bin Zayed Al-Khathlan, and the meeting was moderated by the Supervisor of the Intellectual Awareness Unit at King Khalid University, Dr. Ahmed bin Ali Aal Murai'. The discussion revolved around the prospects for academic and research cooperation between Saudi universities and African countries, and the role of graduates in enhancing this cooperation.
The fourth session was titled "Developmental Experiences and Initiatives of Saudi University Graduates in Their Countries," chaired by Dr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al Hazmi. It reviewed models of quality projects in Nigeria and Benin, including the Center for Sunnah Studies in Africa and its impact on development in Nigeria by Dr. Shu'ayb Abu Bakr Idris, development through economic diversification and the experience of law practice in Nigeria "as a model" by Professor Sanusi bin Mohammed bin Said, development through education in Al-Amana Institute for Islamic Studies in Osun State, Nigeria by Dr. Dawood bin Abdulbaqi, the project to establish and develop colleges for male and female teachers and its impact on development in northern Benin by Dr. Mohammed bin Thani bin Mohammed Boni, and sustainable projects of Al-Nour Charitable Foundation in Minna city, Nigeria "as a model" by Dr. Ali bin Mohammed Sadis.
The forum's work continued with the fifth session, chaired by the Cultural Attaché in the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Maghreb countries, Professor Dr. Mansour bin Zayed Al-Khathlan. It addressed multiple topics, including the media and its role in achieving intellectual security, the Nigerian Sunnah Channel "as a model" by Dr. Bashir bin Imam bin Ali, Al-Madinah International College in Osun State, Nigeria and its impact on development by Dr. Fadil bin Abiullah Nour El Din Al-Imam, desalinated water factories and their impact on sustainable development in Nigeria, the "expertzm" factory in Abuja state "as a model" by Dr. Ismail bin Salah El Din Mohammed Al-Awwal, the project of fattening calves and raising dairy cows and its impact on sustainable development in Benin by Dr. Mohammed bin Thani Boni, and the efforts of Saudi university graduates in the Republic of Chad: the "Read" campaign to revive the culture of reading "as a model" by Professor Yousef bin Mohammed Hajr.
The sixth session was dedicated to a meeting with the Head of the Non-Saudi Student Grants Team and Vice Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Non-Saudi Student Grants, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Suhaibani. The meeting was moderated by a member of the Scientific Committee for the Forum at King Khalid University, Dr. Ibrahim bin Mohammed Aal Sultan. The sessions concluded with a final session moderated by the Chairman of the Main and Scientific Committee for the Forum, Professor Dr. Saeed bin Mohammed Al-Shahrani, which discussed enhancing the impact of scholarship programs and empowering scientific competencies to serve international development.
The forum also included 5 workshops that covered the topics of the art of influence, knowledge management, building a positive culture in classrooms, in addition to development and investment in the endowment sector, and the flexible journey of academic research.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Education works through scholarship programs to achieve outcomes that align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, by preparing and qualifying scientific competencies capable of contributing to the development process in their countries upon their return, and transferring the scientific and research experiences they acquired. This forum is an extension of the efforts of Saudi universities to enhance communication with their non-Saudi graduates, and to document their impact on their communities, thereby contributing to the consolidation of moderate Islamic values and the strengthening of academic and developmental cooperation.
