SDG17: 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.

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.

Qassim University's Strategic Partnerships:

Qassim University, as a leading educational institution, plays a vital role in advancing the goals of SDG 17 through the establishment of strategic partnerships: 
 

• • Public-Private Collaborations: Qassim University collaborates with private corporations to bridge the gap between academia and industry. These partnerships facilitate research, innovation, and technology transfer, fostering sustainable economic growth in line with SDG 17.
• • Government and NGO Engagements: The university engages with governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations to address societal challenges collectively. By pooling expertise and resources, these partnerships amplify the impact of projects related to education, healthcare, and community development
• • International Academic Alliances: Qassim University forges partnerships with universities and research institutions worldwide. These international collaborations enable knowledge exchange, joint research endeavors, and cross-cultural understanding, contributing to the global spirit of SDG 17.
• • Local Community Involvement: The university collaborates closely with the local community to address its specific needs and challenges. This bottom-up approach ensures that development initiatives are relevant and sustainable, echoing the principles of SDG 17.
• • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Qassim University nurtures an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem by partnering with startups, incubators, and accelerators. This promotes the growth of sustainable businesses that align with the goals of economic prosperity and environmental responsibility.

Challenges and Future Outlook:

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.

https://sdc.qu.edu.sa/content/p/13 [1]

Vision:

A leading national house of expertise in sustainable local development.

The 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.

Center Values:

• - Undergraduate: Enhancing cooperation and integrated university work.
• - Initiative: Consolidate the spirit of initiative in exploring and exploiting development opportunities.
• - Innovation: Promote innovation in thought and application.
• - 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.

Units of the Center:

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 & 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.

Amir Al-Qassim: Saudi universities are one of the strengths of the Kingdom. I hope that Qassim University will be one of the top 200 universities in the world.

https://qu.edu.sa/content/news/410 [2]

During his sponsorship of the Conference on the Role of Saudi Universities to Activate Vision 2030 Amir Al-Qassim: Saudi universities are one of the strengths of the Kingdom. I hope that Qassim University will be one of the top 200 universities in the world. 

Rector of Qassim University.. Launches an initiative to dedicate the University Book Award to the best work on vision

Information and Communication Center: 

His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Qassim Province, stressed that Saudi universities are one of the strengths of the Kingdom, praising the initiative of Qassim University to hold this conference, which is in line with the vision of the wise leadership of the Kingdom, to draw the features of the future, through Vision 2030. 

This came during the opening of the conference on the role of the Saudi University in activating Vision 2030, which is organized by Qassim University in the presence of a number of Their Highnesses the Princes, Their Excellencies the Ministers, the Directors of Saudi Universities and officials in the region. 

His Highness said that Allah has blessed the Kingdom throughout its history by agreeing with its leaders to draw the features of its future in accordance with adherence to constants, purified religion, and linking science and work, which ensures a happy life, well-being for future generations, and secures the country from economic risks, to diversify the sources of the economy, with the aim of upgrading the Saudi citizen, enhancing his scientific and practical capabilities and securing a prosperous future for his children. 

The Emir of Qassim added that Vision 2030 aims to provide a good image for Saudi universities by reaching the stage of competitiveness at the global level, and the arrival of five Saudi universities to compete among the top 200 universities in the world, hoping that Qassim University will be one of these five universities with its professional and educational components and cadres that qualify them for this. 

His Highness the Amir of Qassim stressed the need for this conference to come up with recommendations to ensure the success of Saudi universities in achieving the educational vision of 2030 by rebuilding the strategic plans of universities to keep pace with the vision, through what researchers and specialists will put forward of ideas, research and studies in this field, pointing out that students represent a renewable effective energy, and this energy must be invested to comply with the requirements of the labor market. 

For his part, His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, Rector of Qassim University, announced the initiative of Qassim University to establish a university book award, the first of its kind in the Kingdom, announcing that it will be dedicated this year to the best book dealing with Vision 2030. 

Al-Daoud said: "This conference comes at a time when we are in dire need to organize a scientific conference in which it looks for the role of Saudi universities in activating the vision of our Kingdom 2030," adding that universities have a pivotal role in activating that vision through many tracks, and the research track comes at the head of it, because scientific research is the standard of universities, as research crystallizes creative ideas, which pave the way, to implement the initiatives of the vision, its programs and projects, all of which contribute effectively, to building the elements of the "ambitious homeland." 

Al-Daoud expressed his appreciation and pride in the approval of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – may Allah protect him – to hold this conference, under the patronage of His Highness the Amir of the region, and in this comprehensive university, which recently achieved institutional and programmatic accreditation for a number of its colleges and programs, which is a source of pride and pride for the university employees, expressing his happiness with the level of participation in the conference, which was represented by personalities with a high level of knowledge, expertise and experience. 

Al-Daoud pointed out that the time has come for Saudi universities to be a greater platform for generating productive energies in the private sector, and that they must continue to develop their educational programs, to graduate entrepreneurs who are able to move forward, towards investing in various fields, pointing out that this will create thousands of good jobs, and strengthen the development message of universities that contribute to the establishment of the elements of a "prosperous economy." 

Al-Daoud explained that the vision requires a productive society, which emphasizes the importance of the work of Saudi universities, in order to provide the elements of a "vital society" including the consolidation of its values, the promotion of a good environment, and the establishment of a sound social and health system, pointing out that this conference has received sober scientific participations, from more than twenty-five parties, including the six themes of the conference, which included: governance and restructuring systems, strategic plans of universities, the plan of AFAC, competitiveness between universities, investment in public and higher education, and the role of universities in Serving local communities, and enhancing the self-resources of universities. 

Al-Daoud pointed out that the scientific committee of the conference received about a hundred participants from a number of universities, and after the work of careful arbitration, forty-six entries were accepted, which will be presented through three scientific seminars and eight research sessions. 

The Rector of the University thanked the Emir of the Qassim Region for his sponsorship and honor of this conference and His Excellency the Minister of Education Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Issa for his support and encouragement to the University to hold this conference, and also thanked the participants and members of the working committees for their successful efforts in the preparation and organization of this conference, asking Allah the Almighty to preserve our religion, our homeland and our guardians and to perpetuate the blessing of security and well-being, and to preserve our soldiers and victory over our enemies. 

Dr. Mohammed bin Salman Al-Jasser, former Minister of Economy and Planning, gave a speech on behalf of the conference participants in which he expressed the importance of such a conference at this important stage in the life of the country, which requires a community partnership between citizens and officials, that each of them sense their role in the development of the country, in order to achieve the vision of the wise leadership, thanking Qassim University for its initiative to establish this conference. 

Al-Jaser stressed that the importance of the conference stems from its quest to create a positive movement between universities on the one hand and society on the other, through the presentation of visions, research and proposals aimed at achieving the role of universities through the introduction of initiatives, studies and research. 

The first day of the conference witnessed the holding of three seminars, the first under the title "Educational Paths in Universities and Vision 2030", chaired by His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al-Faheed, Governor of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), and with the participation of Dr. Abdullah Al-Moussa, Acting Rector of the Saudi Electronic University, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Educational Affairs, and Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Daoud, Professor at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. 

The second symposium entitled "Scientific Research in Universities and Vision 2030" was held under the chairmanship of His Highness Prince Dr. Khalid Al-Mishari Al-Saud, Member of the Shura Council, and with the participation of Dr. Khalil Al-Ibrahim, Rector of Hail University, Dr. Abdul Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, Rector of Jeddah University, and Dr. Majid Al-Harbi, Vice President of King Khalid University, on behalf of Dr. Faleh bin Rajaa Allah Al-Salami, Rector of King Khalid University. 

The third symposium was held under the chairmanship of His Highness Prince Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed Al Saud, President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, under the title "Universities and Vision 2030" and with the participation of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al-Jasser, former Minister of Economy and Planning, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Saleh Al-Sultan, Rector of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, His Excellency Dr. Masheb bin Ayed Al-Qahtani, Director General of the Institute of Public Administration, and Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil, Chairman of Zamil Holding Group The meeting addressed the need to develop the role of universities in activating Vision 2030, developing higher education, educating new generations and providing the professional and scientific cadres required to build the country and achieve progress and prosperity.

Qassim University discusses the role of Saudi universities in activating Vision 2030

https://qu.edu.sa/content/news/351 [3]

The first conference of its kind on vision will be held early next year
Media Center: 
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 raised by His Excellency the Rector of the University, Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Daoud, where the conference aims to determine the expected role of universities in achieving Vision 2030 and the role of each university in achieving this vision, Putting forward positive initiatives to achieve Vision 2030 as well as discussing the alignment of strategic plans and the Afaq plan with Vision 2030, in addition to identifying the catalysts and threats to the success of Vision 2030, the conference also seeks to create a positive movement with the community 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, and all governmental and private educational sectors will be invited to participate in highlighting their experiences and plans, and the university seeks to participate in the participation of all those who have an interest in research on the theme of the conference and its axes. The conference is expected to come up with a number of recommendations and a clear roadmap outlining the role of universities in activating and achieving the Kingdom's Vision 2030, especially as it is the first conference of its kind adopted and organized by an educational institution within the Kingdom. This was stated by the Vice President for Planning, Development and Quality and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference, Prof. Dr. Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, in which he appreciated the approval of His Excellency the Minister of Education, praising the interest of His Excellency the Rector in holding this conference since the first day he began his work at the University.

Times Impact 2023 ranking

https://twitter.com/QassimUniv1/status/1666424329616146437 [4]

Continuing its appearance for the third year in a row in the ranking, and among the top 10 Saudi universities. 
#جامعة_القصيم Among the best local and international universities in achieving the goals of the United Nations for sustainable development, according to the Times Impact 2023 ranking.

His Highness the Deputy Governor of Qassim congratulates the university for obtaining the highest category in the star rating from the "QS" organization

https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2630 [5]

His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Qassim Region, congratulated His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of Qassim University, and all university employees, on the occasion of the university's obtaining new international recognition by the international "QS" (QS) through the star rating system for institutions and establishments by achieving the highest category (5 stars). 

His Highness said that this achievement reflects the university's efforts to raise the quality of what our male and female students receive from academic axes concerned with programming and institutional quality, asking God Almighty to help you to achieve 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.

University Medical City Receives Accreditation in Continuous Professional Development for Three Years

https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2897 [6]

The University Medical City has obtained accreditation in continuous professional development for a period of three years until 2026 from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, in continuation of its efforts to provide a high training environment. 

The accreditation aims to provide a platform for continuing professional development 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 credit hours. 

For his part, Dr. Khaled Al-Husais, Executive Director of the Medical City, said: "This accreditation is the culmination of the tireless and continuous efforts made by the Medical City at the university in upgrading the level of its various services in the field of training, and this achievement is in addition to a number of achievements that the Medical City previously obtained, including the accreditation of the Council of Health Insurance, and the accreditation of the American Heart Association for the Clinical Simulation Center in the Medical City, and we will work to bring more accreditations to create a healthy environment with high-quality training outputs worthy of the beneficiary. 

On this occasion, Al-Husais thanked and appreciated His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, for the unlimited support to all university entities and the Medical City, and to everyone who contributed to this success by providing a platform for continuous development for all fellow health practitioners. 

It is noteworthy that the Medical City is the first specialized medical and academic city in the Qassim region that provides advanced health care, and contains a hospital with a capacity of 400 beds and 166 specialized clinics, whose services benefited during 2022 more than 95 thousand beneficiaries, and performed more than 500 surgeries.

The University Achieves 153rd Position Globally in the International Sustainability Classification "Greenness"

https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2856 [7]

The university ranked 153 globally and second locally in the international sustainability classification "Green Matrics" 2022, out of 1050 local and international universities, for its interest in the principles of institutional and environmental sustainability that are comprehensive academically, socially and economically, maintaining its advanced position globally in the ranking. 

This achievement confirms the continuity of the university's progress in the various international rankings in a short period, as the university continued to rise to a number of advanced positions in the classification through 6 main criteria, including infrastructure, energy and climate change, water treatment, waste treatment, transportation and education, so that the university reached high scores, in the water treatment standard, achieving 26th rank at the university level and obtaining the full score in this criterion, and in waste treatment, it achieved 52nd place, to achieve first place in the two axes at the level of local, through concerted efforts to raise the level of the university at the local and global levels. 

It is noteworthy that Qassim University had launched, within its strategic plan, a program concerned with sustainability that brings together a package of projects in development and sustainability, such as the sustainable university, the greening of courses, the greening of scientific research, and others, and the university seeks through these projects to achieve a number of results and indicators by the end of 2025 in line with the Kingdom's goals in sustainability and greening programs and in a way that contributes to achieving the United Nations goals for sustainable development.

The Minister of Education Visits the University's Pavilion Participating in the Sustainable Partnerships Conference

https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2846 [8]

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 entitled "Research and Innovation to Build a Thriving Economy", on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, and will continue for two days, with the participation of 50 universities, nearly 100 industrial and development 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 His Excellency the Minister of Education during his visit to the university's pavilion, accompanied by His Excellency the Minister of Investment, Eng. 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-Khorayef, and a number of Their Excellencies, during which they were briefed on the most prominent innovative products of the university included in the exhibition. 

Qassim University's pavilion contains 12 of its innovative and research products in the field of environmental sustainability and basic needs, leadership in energy and industry, human health, in addition to creating industrial strategic partnerships. 

The university's participation also included the presentation of a workshop entitled "The Role of Scientific Research at Qassim University towards a Prosperous Economy and National Development", presented by Dr. Mansour Al-Shraideh, Dean of the Deanship of Scientific Research, as part of the activities accompanying the conference.

The university achieves the first place in the education and training sector, unique in its creativity stage in measuring digital transformation 2022

https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2842 [9]

The university achieved first place in the education and training sector, unique in its creativity stage, and ranked seventh among all devices and sectors in the Kingdom in measuring government digital transformation for the year 2022, during the Digital Government Forum that was held yesterday, Wednesday, November 16, 2022 AD in Riyadh. 

His Excellency Prof. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, received the honorary shield from His Excellency the Governor of the Digital Government Authority, Eng. Ahmed bin Muhammad Al-Suwayan, during the Digital Government Authority's announcement of the results of measuring digital transformation 2022. 

The Digital Government Forum aims to contribute to the development of digital government, in line with global trends in digital transformation and the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, by enabling government entities to determine their commitment to the basic standards of digital transformation, and to identify the extent to which their performance develops annually to reach an integrated digital government. 

Qassim University's achievement of the 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 that has achieved the stage of innovation, after it jumped from 27th place to seventh place among all devices and sectors in the Kingdom in measuring government digital transformation for the year 2022.

During the Global AI Summit. Cooperation between King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the University to conduct research and technical development

https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2804 [10]

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the University, represented by Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal Chair for Artificial Intelligence, signed today an agreement to enhance partnership in the field of research and technical development, in the presence of His Excellency the President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Al-Desouki, and His Excellency the President of the University, Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood. 

The agreement, signed at the Global 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, processing computer applications of the Arabic language, Quran and Sunnah sciences, smart cities and the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and data analysis. 

The two parties will cooperate to conduct research and technical development, activate data and artificial intelligence and use them to support the research and development system, and the cooperation will also play 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 provides for the development and support of ideas to conduct research, applications and products using digital technology, in addition to supporting scientific publishing and research and development efforts, and supporting the participation of male and female students and members of educational staff in supporting and developing research and innovative fields. 

The cooperation seeks to provide data to support the scientific research system, support attracting 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.

The University's Transport Department Obtains the International ISO Certificate in Quality Management System

https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2801 [11]

The university, represented by the General Administration of Transport, obtained the ISO certificate in the quality management system, as a culmination of its efforts in applying quality standards in transport services provided to beneficiaries and meeting the controls and requirements governing this international certificate. 

Achieving this certificate contributes to helping the University's Transport Department improve its overall performance, organize the management of all operations, resources and assets in accordance with international standards, ensure the sustainability of service delivery, in addition to enhancing beneficiary satisfaction and raising organizational efficiency. And completing the university's development endeavors in various administrative and educational fields. 

The ISO international certificate with its various branches is one of the most widespread standards in measuring and achieving the level of quality and managing processes and procedures in various institutions and organizations.

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[6] [Online]. Available: .https://www.qu.edu.sa/content/news/2897.

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