University Program to Enhance Health and Quality of life - King Khalid University

The Health-Promoting University Profile is a public health report that focuses on describing the health status and health determinants within the university. It is updated annually with the aim of providing valuable information that supports decision-making.

Data analysis identifies areas for action based on prioritized needs. The data include key health indicators that contribute to accurately assessing the health situation through the design of data collection models distributed among health-promoting universities. These data are analyzed to provide a description of how the university operates and of its overall health condition.

The description of the health-promoting university serves as the foundation for the university’s health promotion plan by developing strategies based on an understanding of the current situation, strengths, and weaknesses, with the ultimate goal of improving health.

To achieve this, collaborative participation among various sectors, community engagement, and media involvement are essential. The university profile thus becomes valuable to all stakeholders by stimulating public and community interest, transforming commitment into a social goal. Among the future objectives are strengthening cooperation and alliances for health promotion, reducing health problems, and optimizing the use of resources to find solutions to health challenges.

University President / Vice President for Administrative Affairs

Vision

To make King Khalid University a health-promoting university and a leader in sustainable solutions.

Mission

A healthy university that contributes to providing an educational environment and organizational culture that promote health, well-being, and community sustainability.

Values

Quality, Diversity, Community Partnership, Vitality

Main Goals

1. Improve the university community’s determinants of health and quality of life.

2. Consider health a priority to be achieved and included in the university’s agenda.

3. Consider health a priority to be achieved and included in the university’s agenda.

4. Promote healthy lifestyles and improve quality of life.

5. Enhance and improve the quality of health services in targeted locations.

6. Strengthen the concept of governance and sustainable health planning for optimal resource utilization.

7. Maintain a sustainable physical and social environment and encourage broader academic interest in health promotion and development.

8. Achieve institutional excellence in improving university services and academic performance.

9. Utilize digital transformation and technologies to enhance performance efficiency, reduce costs, and promote identity.

10. Mobilize support from all relevant government sectors and achieve community engagement.

11. Build the capacities of all university members and participating entities in health, development, and implementation within the Health-Promoting University and Quality of Life Program framework.

Sub-Goals

1. Work on improving the university community’s determinants of health and quality of life through developing executive plans.

2. Apply the concept of governance and sustainable health planning for optimal use of resources.

3. Increase research that contributes to maintaining a sustainable physical and social environment and encourages development in the field of health.

4. Obtain quality and institutional excellence certificates in improving services and academic performance.

5. Activate the concept of digital transformation and technologies to enhance performance efficiency, reduce costs, and promote identity.

A community-based developmental program affiliated with the World Health Organization, aiming to promote the health and quality of life of the university community. It is founded on community engagement and empowerment to contribute to addressing health and developmental issues. Coordination is carried out among all entities to make health and development top priorities.
The program was launched with a main committee chaired by the University President, including representatives from various sectors to ensure effective program management, as well as an executive committee chaired by the program coordinator and pathway leaders.

1. General Track – 14 items
2. University Environment Track – 22 items
3. Healthy Lifestyle Track – 18 items
4. Health Improvement Track – 31 items
5. Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Response Track – 7 items
6. Community Engagement and Sustainability Track – 10 items
7. Research and Training Track – 15 items

- First: General Track

King Khalid University is an educational and research institution committed to promoting health and quality of life for all members of society. The University aims to offer educational programs, conduct innovative research, and provide high-quality health services to all community members.

It also seeks to establish effective, inclusive partnerships with the local community and health institutions to build an ambitious and integrated society and to contribute to achieving Saudi Vision 2030. The University strives to obtain World Health Organization accreditation by meeting international standards of quality and safety in education, research, and healthcare.

Those responsible for the General Track / Members of the Coordination Office of the Health-Promoting University and Quality of Life Program

- Second: University Environment Track

King Khalid University aspires to be an attractive, nurturing, and exemplary environment of global reference—across the learning environment, the workplace, and its campus facilities. The University is committed to preserving the surrounding natural environment, expanding green areas, and maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem balance, in line with the University’s 2030 Strategy.

Track Lead, University Environment / Mr. Abdulhakim Ali Al-Gharabi

- Third: Healthy Lifestyle Track

A healthy lifestyle is a set of practices that aim to improve individuals’ health and prevent disease, ultimately enhancing overall quality of life.

While some may limit the concept to exercise and healthy eating, it also encompasses mental wellness and cognitive health. A healthy life arises from balance between physical health and mental (including psychological) health.

Healthy lifestyle practices include:

• Eating a balanced diet.

• Engaging in regular physical activity.

• Quitting smoking.

• Abstaining from alcoholic and energy drinks.

• Getting sufficient sleep.

• Avoiding sources of stress, along with other habits that promote overall health.

How can I start adopting a healthy lifestyle?

• Adopting a healthy lifestyle may seem difficult at first; the real challenge often lies in letting go of unhealthy habits.

• Patience is essential. Over time, healthy practices become ingrained habits, especially as their benefits for physical and mental health become evident.

• Healthy living is achievable and uncomplicated. For example, daily portions of vegetables and fruits are fundamental and entirely feasible; likewise staying hydrated, walking regularly, and sleeping well. Some habits—like quitting smoking and abstaining from alcohol—require more time and effort but yield remarkable health outcomes.

• Begin by deciding to enjoy the benefits of healthy habits and consistently practice them. Individuals should assess their current health status to track improvements over time. Key aspects include: weight and waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood glucose levels, along with one’s physical activity, diet patterns, and daily sleep duration.

• An initial assessment helps define personalized goals. For example, someone with markedly elevated lipids needs a specific diet to reduce cardiovascular risk, which differs from the plan for someone with only mildly elevated levels.

We wish everyone a healthy and fulfilling life / Track Lead: Ms. Muna Al Thamer

- Fourth: Health Improvement Track

King Khalid University strives to develop and enhance health promotion programs to help realize Saudi Vision 2030 and improve quality of life for citizens. It delivers health promotion initiatives tailored to community needs, enabling individuals to lead healthy, active lives and contribute positively to national development.

The Health Improvement Track includes several aspects and initiatives, such as:

• Educational and health programs: focusing on health promotion and disease prevention, including healthy nutrition, physical fitness, and mental health.

• Innovative research: encouraging scientific inquiry across fields that improve health, including developing effective disease-prevention methods.

• Provision of distinguished health services: advanced medical facilities and comprehensive, specialized care for students, faculty, and staff.

• Health awareness: organizing campaigns and educational events to encourage positive, healthy choices among the university and local communities.

• Community partnerships: collaborating with local stakeholders and other health institutions to promote health and holistically improve services.

Track Lead, Health Improvement / Dr. Maha Al-Ghamdi

- Fifth: Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and Response Track

Occupational health comprises a set of rules and procedures established within a legislative framework to protect people and assets associated with a given profession. Occupational safety applies across life contexts: one must follow safety rules when dealing with electricity, driving, or even walking in the street. Workplaces warrant particular caution—especially factories handling hazardous materials (e.g., pharmaceuticals) and facilities that host large crowds such as major institutions and educational establishments.

Key Components of Occupational Health

• Clarifying prevention principles in every facility and planning them properly.

• Implementing preventive measures under appropriate legal frameworks when needed.

• Constructing facilities on sound scientific bases and providing specialized safety and occupational-health equipment.

General Objectives of Occupational Health

• Protecting human resources from workplace injuries by minimizing accidents and occupational diseases as much as possible.

• Safeguarding material assets—facilities, devices, and equipment—whose loss or damage causes significant harm.

• Providing a safe, problem-free, and risk-free work environment.

• Instilling a sense of safety and reassurance among workers while performing their tasks, thereby reducing anxiety when using potentially hazardous equipment and materials.

Track Lead, Safety & Emergency Preparedness and Response / Mr. Ali Al-Ahmari

- Sixth: Community Engagement and Sustainability Track

This track covers social responsibility and volunteerism. It seeks to meet the needs of all community members and institutions under high standards that protect the safety of volunteers and society. It also leverages effective partnerships aligned with volunteer work to create initiatives that serve the entire community, with aims including instilling a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility.

• Coordinating with relevant sectors to develop partnerships and agreements on community social responsibility.

• Launching community initiatives in coordination with University stakeholders.

• Promoting values of national belonging, humanitarian service, and social responsibility among University members and the wider community.

• Attracting, qualifying, and training human capital committed to volunteerism and social responsibility.

• Activating strategic partnerships in volunteer and community-responsibility work.

Additional Functions

• Studying local community needs and designing suitable programs in collaboration with the University.

• Preparing the University’s volunteer work plan in alignment with the Ministry’s plan.

• Coordinating partnerships relevant to community responsibility across the University.

• Launching community initiatives with University stakeholders.

• Providing support and participation to all University units.

• Disseminating a culture of volunteerism and reinforcing national belonging, humanitarian service, and social responsibility among University members and the community.

• Designing volunteer programs aligned with the Ministry’s developmental objectives.

• Attracting University volunteers and providing training for them.

• Preparing reports and studies related to volunteer work and social responsibility at the University.

Track Lead, Community Engagement & Sustainability / Ms. Hessa Al-Sarhani

- Seventh: Research and Training Track

Introduction

This track contributes to advancing the “Health-Promoting University and Quality of Life” Program and its goals by reviewing WHO standards and applying them in practice at King Khalid University, in coordination with the other tracks. The “Research” and “Training” components encourage University affiliates and relevant units to align their work and outputs with public health and quality-of-life priorities, enhance programs and methods of teaching, training, and qualification, and reinforce values and core research skills. The track seeks to increase research participation in solving community problems and to prepare qualified cadres with personal, academic, and technical skills that meet development requirements and labor-market needs—an effective implementation of Saudi Vision 2030.

First: Research

Liaise with the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research to prioritize this topic within research projects, guide researchers to submit proposals in the field, and support them.

• Compile published studies related to the topic and utilize their recommendations to serve program objectives.

• Compile graduate theses (Master’s and Ph.D.) related to this track and benefit from their scholarly recommendations.

• Coordinate with University colleges to catalogue relevant student capstone projects and research and showcase them in various health and environmental forums.

• Coordinate with the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Institute for Environmental Studies and Natural Resources Sustainability to review research on environmental studies, natural-resource management, and forest development in the Asir Region.

Track Lead, Research / Dr. Ali Al-Qahtani

Second: Training

Coordinate with Human Resources and training units to offer training courses in “Public Health and Quality of Life” and attract distinguished experts to deliver them.

Encourage University affiliates to attend courses and workshops—internally and externally—and provide mission allowances for participation.

Develop skills and build the capacities of University members (students, faculty, and staff).

Instill values and expand knowledge among University members in pursuit of a Health-Promoting University and Quality of Life.

Head, Training Unit / Ms. Asiya Al-Qahtani