Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, His Excellency the President of Qassim University, Prof. Muhammad bin Fahd Al-Sharekh, sponsored the conference "Handicrafts in the Era of Digital Transformation: Opportunities and Challenges", organized by the College of Arts and Designs, in the presence of a number of officials from various authorities, university vice presidents, affiliates and students, at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center at the University City.
For her part, the Dean of the College of Arts and Designs, Dr. Dalal bint Wadhan Al-Otaibi, spoke during the university's speech at the opening ceremony about the objectives of organizing this conference, which came in conjunction with the Year of Handicrafts 2025, to highlight handicrafts and their cultural and economic dimensions, and their role in preserving the national identity and supporting scientific research.
She stressed that in our present era, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts in supporting handicrafts and craftsmen stand out through the establishment of bodies, institutions and associations, holding exhibitions and events, and encouraging the development of professions, with the support and generous attention of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz - may God protect them.
The two-day conference will include a series of scientific sessions that discuss multiple topics, most notably: Handicrafts and artificial intelligence, employing modern technology to enhance production and quality, developing small and medium enterprises to achieve sustainable development, digital marketing of handicrafts, the role of business incubators in supporting artisans, and a set of practical workshops that focus on handicrafts skills and preserving these professions in light of digital transformation.
The conference program includes four scientific sessions, with the participation of a group of experts and specialists, discussing handicrafts issues in their contemporary context, in addition to workshops and accompanying exhibitions that highlight the efforts made in supporting handicrafts and highlighting initiatives and practices that contribute to their development and sustainability.
His Excellency the UQU President inspected the accompanying exhibition, which includes the participation of a number of bodies, institutions, NGOs and specialized companies, as well as the participation of a number of craftsmen with their experiences and handmade products, in addition to the pavilion of the College of Arts and Designs, to highlight the efforts of these entities in supporting handicrafts and their services and initiatives aimed at promoting and preserving this sector, praising the distinct ideas and crafts included in the exhibition to achieve the goals of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
The conference witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the fields of training and activating initiatives on the sidelines of the conference, signed by His Excellency the President of the University and the CEO of the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts "Worth", Dr. Susan bint Muhammad Al-Yahya.
At the end of his patronage of the opening ceremony of the conference, His Excellency the President of the University honored the participating and supporting parties, as well as the specialists and researchers.
