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SDG 17: PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOALS
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SDG 17: PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOALS
Building Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Development in Saudi Arabia: Qassim University’s Role in SDG 17
Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17) underscores the importance of partnerships and collaborations in achieving the entire spectrum of sustainable development goals. This essay explores Saudi Arabia’s efforts in promoting partnerships for sustainable development and highlights Qassim University’s role in fostering strategic collaborations to enhance SDG implementation.
Relationships to support the Sustainable Development Goals
Involvement in national government or regional nongovernment organisations SDG policy development
Reviewing comparative approaches and develop international best practice on tackling the SDGs through international collaboration and research
Education for the SDGs
Commitments to meaningful education around the SDGs across the university – Relevant and applicable to all students
Dedicated outreach educational activities for the wider community, including alumni, local residents, displaced people
SDG 17 in Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia recognizes that addressing complex global challenges requires collaborative efforts that extend beyond national borders. The country has taken significant steps towards advancing SDG 17:
International Development Assistance: Saudi Arabia has contributed to international development assistance, supporting various countries in achieving their sustainable development goals. This reflects the nation’s commitment to global partnerships and solidarity.
Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements: The country engages actively in bilateral and multilateral platforms to exchange knowledge, resources, and best practices. These engagements foster dialogue and cooperation on diverse issues, ranging from education and healthcare to economic diversification.
Investment in Sustainable Projects: Saudi Arabia encourages foreign and domestic investments in sustainable development projects. These investments not only contribute to economic growth but also align with the broader agenda of achieving sustainable development.
Challenges and Future Prospects:
Despite the progress made, challenges persist in building and maintaining partnerships for sustainable development. These challenges include resource disparities, coordination complexities, and aligning diverse agendas. However, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to SDG 17 and Qassim University’s proactive engagement suggest a promising future:
Sustainable development requires collaborative efforts that transcend geographical boundaries and sectoral interests. Saudi Arabia’s dedication to SDG 17 reflects its understanding of the significance of partnerships in achieving holistic progress. Qassim University, through its strategic collaborations, demonstrates how educational institutions can serve as catalysts for positive change by fostering partnerships that contribute to the realization of sustainable development goals. As these partnerships continue to flourish, they pave the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for Saudi Arabia and the global community.
Center for Sustainable Development at Qassim University
Vision:
A leading national house of expertise in sustainable local development.
Center's Mission:
Providing high-quality research, consulting, training, informatics and awareness services that contribute to activating and integrating sustainable development efforts in Qassim and achieving its goal, enhancing its competitive advantages, consolidating partnership nationally and internationally, and diversifying self-financing for development events: according to a comprehensive strategic development perspective.
Rate the center:
- Integration: Enhancing cooperation and integrated university work.
Initiative: Consolidate the spirit of initiative in exploring and exploiting development opportunities.
Innovation: Promote innovation in thought and practice.
Quality: Applying the highest standards to distinguish the outputs and services of the center.
Transparency: Commitment to disclosure in procedures and availability of information to relevant parties.
Sustainability: Continuity in meeting the requirements of development economically, socially and environmentally.
Projects:
- Identify the requirements and priorities for sustainable development in the Qassim region.
Determine the competitive advantages of the Qassim region.
Directing the research of graduate students to serve the purposes of sustainable local development.
Support the establishment of a dedicated database in sustainable development.
Center units:
Volunteer Sustainability Unit:
Objectives:
- Promote a culture of sustainable development and the protection and conservation of natural resources.
Raising environmental awareness among students to enable them to contribute to community environmental awareness.
Stimulate the contribution of students to national and local challenges at the level of the region, by adopting solutions and providing awareness initiatives at the university level as a residential community and after the launch of the community.
Supporting the spirit of volunteerism and participation in works and events that serve the community.
Areas of work:
Participate in activities aimed at rationalizing energy and water consumption in the region in coordination with the competent authorities.
Participate in the national environmental awareness program with projects at the level of the region such as Environment Week and Water Week.
Supporting departments specialized in the fields of training and environmental education.
Participation in student initiatives, competitions and competitions in the field of sustainable development.
Field participation in awareness campaigns and programs to rationalize water and energy.
Research and studies
It conducts environmental studies and research and sustainability inside and outside the university through strategic partnerships with the relevant authorities.
The Research and Studies Unit at the Center for Sustainable Development is concerned with studying research priorities related to sustainable local development in the Qassim region, and is interested in analyzing and studying the natural resources management system in order to enhance the requirements of sustainable local development within the framework of the vision of the university and its role in serving the local community.
The unit is interested in tracking the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and studying everything that would lead the region and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in their environmental, economic and social dimensions.
Emir of Qassim : Saudi universities are one of the Kingdom's strengths, and I hope Qassim University will be among the top 200 universities in the world
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Emir of Qassim, Qassim University opened the "The Role of Saudi Universities in Realizing Vision 2030"with the participation of a number of princes, ministers and university administrators.
His Highness emphasized that Saudi universities are one of the most prominent strengths of the Kingdom, praising the initiative of Qassim University, wishing it to be among the top 200 universities globally, and calling for the conference sessions to result in recommendations that support the development of university education in line with the goals of the vision.
For his part, His Excellency the President of Qassim University, Prof. Abdulrahman Al-Dawood, announced the launch of the University Book Award, which is dedicated this year to the best work dealing with Vision 2030He emphasized the importance of the role of universities in supporting the vision through scientific research, innovation, and the graduation of entrepreneurs.
He pointed out that the conference is attended by more than 25 entities, and includes six main themes on governance, strategic plans, competitiveness, investment in education, community service, and self-resource development, in addition to 46 scientific papers and research papers.
The conference witnessed the holding of three scientific seminars on the relationship between education, scientific research, universities and Vision 2030, with the participation of a number of officials and academics, who emphasized the importance of strengthening the partnership between universities and society to achieve the aspirations of the leadership and build a prosperous economy and society.
Qassim University discusses the role of Saudi universities in realizing Vision 2030
Qassim University to hold first-of-its-kind conference on vision early next year
His Excellency the Minister of Education, Prof. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Issa, approved the request of Qassim University to organize a scientific conference on the role of Saudi universities in activating Vision 2030 during the period from 6-7/4/1438 AH, based on a request submitted by the University President, Prof. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, where the conference aims to identify the expected role of universities in achieving Vision 2030 and the role of each university in achieving this vision, as well as putting forward positive initiatives to achieve Vision 2030 and discussing the alignment of strategic plans and Horizons Plan with Vision 2030, in addition to identifying the drivers and threats to the success of Vision 2030, the conference seeks to create positive movement with society around Vision 2030.
The conference will include a number of scientific sessions in addition to lectures and seminars related to the themes of the conference. All governmental and private educational sectors will be invited to participate in highlighting their experiences and plans, and the university seeks the participation of all those who are interested in research on the theme of the conference and its themes. It is expected that the conference will come out with a number of recommendations and a clear roadmap that defines the role of universities in activating and achieving the Kingdom's Vision 2030, especially since it is the first conference of its kind adopted and organized by an educational institution inside the Kingdom. This was stated by the UQU Vice President for Planning, Development and Quality, Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee, Prof. Dr. Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, who praised the approval of the Minister of Education and praised the interest of the UQU President in holding this conference since the first day he started his duties at the university.
Times Influence Rankings 2023
This is the third consecutive year that the university has appeared in the rankings, and among the top 10 Saudi universities... #Qassim University Among the top local and international universities in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, according to the Times Impact Ranking 2023.
His Highness the Deputy Emir of Qassim congratulates the university for obtaining the highest star rating from the "QS" organization
His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Emir of Qassim Region, congratulated Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of Qassim University, and all university employees, on the occasion of the university obtaining a new international recognition by the international body "QS" through the star rating system for institutions and facilities by achieving the highest category (5 stars). His Highness said: "This achievement reflects the efforts made by the university to raise the quality of what our male and female students receive from the academic axes concerned with programmatic and institutional quality, asking God Almighty to grant you success in achieving the aspirations of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, may God protect them.
UQU Medical City receives three-year CPD accreditation
In continuation of its efforts to provide a high quality training environment, UQU Medical City has received a three-year Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation until 2026 from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS).
The accreditation aims to provide a platform for CPD activities such as training courses, conferences, seminars or lectures in the medical and health fields, where health practitioners seek to attend for continuous development and gain accredited learning hours.
For his part, Dr. Khalid Al-Husais, Executive Director of the Medical City, said: This accreditation comes as a culmination of the diligent and continuous efforts exerted by the University Medical City in upgrading the level of its various services in the field of training, and this achievement is in addition to a number of achievements previously obtained by the Medical City, including the accreditation of the Health Insurance Council and the American Heart Association for the Clinical Simulation Center at the Medical City, and we will work to bring more accreditations to create a healthy environment with high-quality training outputs that are worthy of the beneficiary.
On this occasion, Al-Husais extended his thanks and appreciation to Prof. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, for his unlimited support to all entities of the University and the Medical City, and to everyone who contributed to this success by providing a platform for the continuous development of all health practitioners.
It is worth mentioning that the Medical City is the first specialized medical and academic city in the Qassim region that provides advanced health care, and contains a 400-bed hospital and 166 specialized clinics, which benefited more than 95,000 beneficiaries during 2022, and performed more than 500 surgeries.
University achieves 153rd place globally in the international "green" sustainability ranking
The university achieved 153rd place globally and second place locally in the international sustainability ranking "Green Matrics" Green Matrics 2022, out of 1050 local and international universities, for its attention to the principles of comprehensive institutional and environmental sustainability academically, socially and economically, maintaining its advanced position globally in the ranking.
This achievement confirms the continuity of the university's progress in various international rankings in a short period of time, as the university continues to rise to a number of advanced positions in the rankings through 6 main criteria, including infrastructure, energy and climate change, water treatment, waste treatment, transportation and education, to reach high scores in the water treatment criterion, achieving 26th place at the level of universities and obtaining the full score in this criterion, and in waste treatment it achieved 52nd place, to achieve the first place in both axes at the local level, through concerted efforts to improve the university level at both local levels.
As part of its strategic plan, Qassim University has launched a sustainability program that includes a package of projects in development and sustainability such as the sustainable university, greening of courses, greening of scientific research and others. Through these projects, the university seeks to achieve a number of results and indicators by the end of 2025 in line with the Kingdom's targets in sustainability and greening programs and in a way that contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Minister of Education visits the university's pavilion at the Sustainable Partnerships Conference
His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, visited the university's exhibition participating in the Sustainable Partnerships Conference, organized by the Ministry of Education under the title "Research and Innovation to Build a Prosperous Economy", on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, and continues for two days with the participation of 50 universities, nearly 100 industrial and developmental entities and more than 150 speakers from decision makers, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, received the Minister of Education during his visit to the university pavilion, accompanied by His Excellency the Minister of Investment, Engineer Khalid Al-Falih, His Excellency the Minister of Economy and Planning, Mr. Faisal Al-Ibrahim, His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar Al-Kharif, and a number of their excellencies, during which they reviewed the most prominent innovative products that the university includes in the exhibition. The Qassim University pavilion contains 12 of its innovative and research products in the field of environmental sustainability and basic needs, leadership in energy and industry, and human health, in addition to creating strategic industrial partnerships. The university's participation also included a workshop entitled "The Role of Scientific Research at Qassim University towards a Prosperous Economy and National Development," presented by Dr. Mansour Al-Sharida, Dean of the Deanship of Scientific Research, as part of the accompanying events of the conference.
The University achieves the first place in the education and training sector with its innovation stage in the Digital Transformation Measurement 2022
The university achieved the first place in the education and training sector, unique in its innovation stage, and ranked seventh among all agencies and sectors in the Kingdom in measuring the government's digital transformation for 2022, during the Digital Government Forum held yesterday, Wednesday, November 16, 2022, in Riyadh.
His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, received the shield of honor from His Excellency the Governor of the Digital Government Authority, Engineer Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Suwayan, during the announcement by the Digital Government Authority of the results of the Digital Transformation Measure 2022.
The Digital Government Forum aims to contribute to the development of the digital government, in line with global trends in digital transformation and the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, by enabling government agencies to determine the extent of their commitment to the basic standards of digital transformation, and to identify the extent of their performance development on an annual basis to reach an integrated digital government.
Qassim University's achievement of first place in the education and training sector, which includes more than 36 entities, is a new achievement for the university, which is the only university in the sector to achieve the innovation stage, after it jumped from 27th to seventh place among all agencies and sectors in the Kingdom in the 2022 Government Digital Transformation Measurement (GDTM).
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the University collaborate to conduct research and technical development during the World Summit on Artificial Intelligence
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the University, represented by the Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshal Chair for Artificial Intelligence, today signed an agreement to strengthen the partnership in the field of research and technical development, in the presence of His Excellency the President of KACST, Dr. Mounir bin Mahmoud Al-Desouki, and His Excellency the President of the University, Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood.
The agreement signed at the World AI Summit aims to enhance technical cooperation and research to support technical applications and uses in the fields of medical care, environment, agriculture, renewable energy, cybersecurity, Arabic language processing, Quranic and Sunnah sciences, smart cities and the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and data analytics.
The two parties will cooperate to conduct research and technical development, activate and use data and artificial intelligence to support the research and development system, and activate the role of the relevant authorities, centers and units to benefit from expertise and experiences, and to combine efforts in the areas of partnership.
The agreement stipulates developing and supporting ideas for research, applications and products utilizing digital technology, in addition to supporting scientific publishing, research and development efforts, and supporting the participation of students and members of educational bodies in supporting and developing research and innovation fields.
The cooperation seeks to make data available to support the scientific research system, support the recruitment of Qassim University students in the various disciplines concerned for summer and cooperative training in the theoretical and applied fields of artificial intelligence, and support academic programs, continuing education and vocational training for university graduates in technical and engineering disciplines.
University's Transportation Department Receives International ISO Certification in Quality Management System
The University, represented by the General Department of Transportation, received an ISO certificate in the Quality Management System, as a culmination of its efforts in applying quality standards in the transportation services provided to the beneficiaries and fulfilling the controls and requirements regulated by this international certificate.
Achieving this certificate will help the University Transportation Department to improve its overall performance, organize the management of all operations, resources and assets according to international standards, ensure the sustainability of service delivery, enhance beneficiary satisfaction, and increase organizational efficiency. It completes the university's developmental endeavors in various administrative and educational fields.
ISO certification is one of the most widespread standards for measuring and achieving the level of quality and managing processes and procedures in various institutions and organizations.
References
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[4] [Online]. Available: .https://twitter.com/QassimUniv1/status/1666424329616146437.
[5] [Online]. Available: .https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2630.
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