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History of the university
The university was launched under its new name (Qassim University), carrying an academic and research legacy that extends for more than four decades in the region, as some colleges have received students since 1401 AH. The university was established in implementation of the national plan to expand higher education and universities, and the Royal Decree No. 22042/B/7 was issued to establish Qassim University in the academic year 1424/1423 AH, which at that time included seven colleges affiliated with the branches of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University and King Saud University in the Qassim region, thus becoming the first university in the region.
Qassim University is one of the first modern universities, after the seven universities, in terms of establishment, development and expansion, and in fulfillment of the directives of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to promote the educational process, it has opened new colleges due to the increasing number of high school graduates in all regions of Qassim. The number of colleges increased in the academic year 1428/1427 AH as a result of the inclusion of teachers' colleges and colleges of education for girls in the cities of the Qassim region (nine colleges) to the university. The academic year 1428/1429 AH also witnessed the inclusion and restructuring of health colleges (four colleges), which were affiliated to the Ministry of Health. The expansion of the establishment of new colleges at Qassim University continued, bringing the number to (38) colleges located in (12) governorates in the Qassim region, in addition to the main headquarters in the university city in Al-Malida, in addition to the Deanship of Educational Services supervising the preparatory year and the Deanship of Community Service supervising the various diploma programs, the university colleges are distributed in different regions in Qassim.
Qassim University did not limit itself to traditional methods of education, but established the Deanship of E-Learning and Distance Education to keep pace with scientific and technological developments and facilitate access to higher education opportunities for male and female students, in order to enhance their academic career towards a better future.
In 2024, the University Affairs Council approved the comprehensive restructuring of the university, in a strategic step that represents a new stage towards excellence and keeping pace with the requirements of the new university system. This shift aims to enhance the efficiency of management and performance, meet the needs of the labor market, and optimize the use of the university's headquarters academically and in research, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the region. One of the most prominent outcomes of the restructuring is the merger of a number of colleges to become a university consisting of 17 colleges that offer their programs at the main headquarters in Buraidah, in addition to branches in a number of governorates in the region.
The great support of the Kingdom's government has had a significant impact in transforming the university into a modern edifice that houses more than 66,000 students from inside and outside the Kingdom, representing more than 80 nationalities around the world.
Today, Qassim University continues to strengthen its position among higher education institutions in the Kingdom by developing its curricula and courses, providing a stimulating academic environment, and conducting research and scientific studies related to the needs of society and national development.
