Dr. Saleh Al Shamrani, the University President, began by remarking a warm welcome to everybody for the new academic year and by extending his deep gratitude of all the colleagues for the valuable support and well preparation of the virtual system of the university. He highlighted some of the significance of implementing of and carrying on the virtual system in consideration of current pandemic situation.
The respected Board of Trustees Chairman, Prof. Abdullah Al Shammery then extend as well his deep gratitude to everyone in enduring the past few months that despite difficulties and hardships caused by covid-19 occurrence, everybody has survived and came back to work with a good health and for the teamwork that has been given which has maintained the excellency of work for everything has been done completely and on time. He also gave inspiring advice to the teaching staff to be more efficient especially it’s a virtual system which requires different way of communication in dealing with students and there is a need as well of academic advising where a teacher should spend time with the students to discuss and answer whatever questions and other related matters they have in the course which is a new requirement from the quality assurance and NCAAA.
Deans in each department (Dr. Mohammad Al Rafee, Dean, College of Dentistry, Dr. Hana Al Khabbas, Dean, College of Pharmacy, Dr. Omar Al Khadhi, Dean, Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Tahani Al Rahbeni, Dean College of Nursing and Dr. May Al Khudairy, Dean, Applied Medical Sciences), Dr. Sarah Mubaraki, Dean, Admission and Registration, Dr. Sultan Bin Alrimal, Dean, Student Affairs have also given their advices and ideas to the teaching staffs on how to improve their online teaching strategies.
On the other hand, the hospital directors in each campus (Dr. Abdulrahman Al Saffan, Namuthajiyah Campus, Dr. Ahmed Bahamid, Munesiyah Campus and Dr. Omar Al Khadhi, Olaya Campus) have given their updates regarding the safety management and procedures done after the curfew has lifted up and all the working and clinical staffs has resumed their operations in accordance to the instruction and protocol from the Ministry of Health. And as a result, there was no covid-19 case discovered from a patient to any staff and vice versa from a staff to any patient up to the present time.
At the latter part, the university Vice-President, Dr. Mansour Assery, opened the discussion and forum for the other colleagues. The new staffs/faculty members were also given the chance to speak and introduce themselves. He also ended the symposium by acknowledging the presence and participation of everyone.
