His Excellency the President of King Khalid University, Prof. Faleh bin Rajaallah Al-Solami, attended the new student welcome ceremony for the 1448 AH academic year, organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs at the University City in Al-Fara'a, in the presence of the Vice President for Educational Affairs, a number of deans of colleges and supporting deanships, and University staff.
In his address during the ceremony, His Excellency the University President, Prof. Faleh bin Rajaallah Al-Solami, welcomed the new students, expressing the University’s pride in having them join its community and emphasizing its commitment to providing a stimulating and integrated educational environment that contributes to achieving their ambitions and aspirations and supports their academic journey.
Al-Solami highlighted the support and attention King Khalid University receives from the wise leadership, emphasizing that this support has contributed to the University achieving numerous accomplishments that have strengthened its standing among universities. He noted that the University operates according to a strategy aligned with the objectives of the Asir Region Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030, thereby enhancing its role in development and advancement.
Al-Solami explained that the University includes a specialized medical city, the largest of its kind in the southern region, in addition to offering specialized academic programs that meet labor market needs and development objectives, with a focus on tourism, hospitality, culture, arts, medicine, wellness, and the environment.
His Excellency stressed the importance of new students familiarizing themselves with and adhering to University rules and regulations, which contributes to building a successful and rewarding university experience. He encouraged them to benefit from the services and programs provided by the University and to seek support from faculty members and academic experts who will assist them throughout their university journey.
On the technological front, the University President emphasized that King Khalid University continues its efforts to keep pace with modern technological developments by advancing its digital services and e-learning ecosystem and providing technological systems and services that enable male and female students to access educational materials and University services easily, anytime and anywhere.
The Vice President for Educational Affairs, Prof. Saad bin Mohammed bin Dajam, also reviewed a number of important academic aspects, emphasizing the importance of making greater efforts in academic pursuits. He highlighted the key academic rules and procedures approved by the University Council, as well as the conditions and requirements associated with certain academic programs, in addition to relevant rules and regulations.
For his part, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Saad bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, welcomed the new students, emphasizing that the University takes pride in their joining its community and considers them partners in its journey of achievement and development. He also highlighted the importance of benefiting from the services and programs offered by the Deanship of Student Affairs through its various administrations and centers.
The ceremony included an orientation exhibition for new students, with the participation of a number of University entities and student clubs. The exhibition presented the University’s key rules, regulations, services, and programs, with the aim of introducing students to available opportunities, activities, and services, helping them integrate into university life, and enabling them to make the most of their educational experience.
The ceremony witnessed a large turnout of new students from various academic disciplines. It also featured a number of introductory presentations delivered by college deans and representatives of various University entities and support services, introducing students to the roles of the different colleges, deanships, and administrations and the services they provide.
During the ceremony, students were given the opportunity to raise their questions and inquiries regarding academic matters and University services, which were answered directly, contributing to greater student awareness of the University environment and preparing them to begin their academic journey with confidence and effectiveness.
King Khalid University, represented by the College of Computer Science, in cooperation with the Deanships of Student Affairs and Electronic Services, and in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, continues to implement a number of technology courses and bootcamps under the “Smart Summer 26” program. The program targets leaders, professionals, job seekers, and young participants to develop their skills in artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, and emerging technologies.
The program attracted 1,800 registrants, while 490 participants benefited from its courses and bootcamps. This included 300 participants in the “Artificial Intelligence for Leaders” course, 30 participants in the “Data Center Management Skills” course designed for professionals and job seekers, as well as 80 participants in the “Internet of Things for Youth” bootcamp and 80 participants in the “Young Robotics Innovators” bootcamp.
The Dean of the College of Computer Science at the university, Dr. Ayman bin Ibrahim Qahmash, explained that the strong interest in the program, reflected in the registration of 1,800 participants, demonstrates the growing demand for acquiring technical skills and keeping pace with rapid developments in digital fields. He emphasized the university’s commitment to providing specialized training programs that meet the needs of different groups, contribute to building national capabilities, and enhance their readiness for the future.
Qahmash noted that the partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology contributed to providing specialized training content that combines knowledge with practical application within a stimulating educational environment that supports innovation, develops digital skills, and enables participants to explore the latest practices and applications in promising technology fields.
The implementation of the program is part of King Khalid University’s ongoing efforts to support digital skills development, empower national talent, and strengthen integration with specialized entities, contributing to preparing a generation capable of utilizing modern technologies and actively participating in building the digital economy.
A student team from King Khalid University secured second place in the 1st Family Businesses Hackathon. The event was organized by the National Center for Family Businesses, with the participation of 150 male and female students representing 14 Saudi and Gulf universities. The team achieved this position through their project, the "Family Merit Platform" (Manassat Jadarat Al-Ailah), which aims to develop practical and innovative solutions for challenges facing family businesses and enhance their sustainability.
This achievement was accomplished through the participation of a student team from the Colleges of Law and Business, with support from the Deanship of Student Affairs. The team presented a specialized platform designed to bridge the gap in knowledge and technical qualification for board members of family companies in the fields of governance, regulations, law, and finance.
This contributes to improving decision-making efficiency, enhancing board effectiveness, and reducing conflicts arising from unclear roles and responsibilities. The project relied on several innovative elements, most notably the development of a digital index to measure merit and competence, and the creation of a secure and confidential evaluation and learning environment.
Additionally, it offers scenarios and tests that simulate real-world challenges faced by family businesses, while combining technical and regulatory aspects with the human considerations involved in managing relationships within the business-owning family.
The winning team included Dr. Ahmed bin Muhammad Sati as team leader; student Abdullah bin Ali Hayaza Al-Barqi Asiri from the College of Law (the ideator); student Hamza bin Khalid Al-Omari from the College of Business (the product designer); alongside students Ahmed bin Khalid Saddah, Abdulrahman bin Saeed Al-Omari, and Faisal bin Yahya Salman Al-Khazem. The project received academic supervision from Professor Dr.
Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Abdan, Dr. Ahmed bin Muhammad Sati, and Dr. Muhammad bin Nasser bin Safran. The team also benefited from 36 hours of intensive mentorship and training, and three developmental workshops that helped build, refine, and develop the operational model of the idea. This culminated in achieving this milestone, which reflects the capabilities of the university's students and their excellence in providing innovative solutions that serve economic development and enhance the sustainability of family businesses.
His Excellency the President of King Khalid University, Prof. Faleh bin Rajallah Al-Solami, attended this Tuesday morning the annual greeting ceremony for the university staff on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Adha for the year 1447 AH. The event was organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs in cooperation with the General Department of Corporate Communication at the University Oasis Center in the university city of Abha (Al-Fara'a), in the presence of university vice-presidents, deans of colleges and supporting deans, and a number of university affiliates.
On this occasion, His Excellency, on his own behalf and on behalf of the university's staff, employees, and students, extended his highest congratulations and blessings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud—may God protect them—on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, praying to the Almighty to sustain the nation’s security, stability, and prosperity. His Excellency also praised the outstanding success achieved during this year's Hajj season and the integrated services provided to the guests of Rahman, enabling them to perform their rituals with ease and tranquility, stressing that this success reflects the Kingdom's position in serving Islam and Muslims and caring for visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.
His Excellency also congratulated His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Asir Region and Chairman of its Development Authority, and His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Satam bin Saudi bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Asir Region, on the occasion of Eid al-Adha and the successful Hajj season, praying to God Almighty to protect our country and its leadership and to sustain the blessings of security and prosperity.
Al-Solami praised the participation of the university's students in serving the guests of Rahman during this year's Hajj season, emphasizing that their voluntary work embodies the values of giving and national responsibility, and reflects the university's keenness to promote the culture of volunteerism and community service. He explained that 41 male and female volunteers from the colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Applied Medical Sciences contributed to providing health, field, and awareness services to pilgrims, confirming that the university will continue to support its qualitative participation in future Hajj seasons to contribute to serving the nation and the pilgrims. During the ceremony, His Excellency honored the students who participated in this year's Hajj season in recognition of their volunteer efforts and contributions to serving the pilgrims.
In the same context, the university's branch in Tihama organized a similar celebration on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, in the presence of the General Supervisor of King Khalid University Colleges in Tihama, Prof. Ahmed Atef Al-Shehri, along with the staff of the Tihama colleges. Additionally, a celebration for the female section was held at the female student campus in Guriqar, attended by the Advisor to the University President and Supervisor of Female Student Campuses, Prof. Kholoud بنت Saad Abu Melha, where she honored the female students who participated in this year's Hajj season in appreciation of their volunteer efforts and contributions to serving the guests of Rahman, as part of the university's keenness to strengthen social bonds among its staff across its various campuses.
King Khalid University, represented by the Deanship of E-Services and the Deanship of Student Affairs, is launching the third edition of the Sustainability in Education Hackathon, Eduthon 3, from May 14 to 16, 2026, in strategic partnership with the National eLearning Center, and with the participation of entities including Najran University, Jazan University, University of Bisha, Al-Baha University, and Health Affairs at the Ministry of National Guard.
The third edition witnessed remarkable interest, with 190 submitted projects prepared by more than 730 male and female participants from various regions of the Kingdom. A total of 30 projects qualified for the in-person hackathon stage after a screening and evaluation process based on approved criteria, where their teams will compete to develop innovative and sustainable digital solutions that contribute to addressing education challenges and enhancing the quality of its outcomes.
The University Vice President for Educational Affairs, Prof. Saad bin Mohammed bin Daajam, affirmed that this turnout reflects the growing awareness of the importance of innovation in developing education and embodies King Khalid University’s role in empowering creative minds and opening pathways for distinguished ideas to become applicable projects. He noted that the partnership with the National eLearning Center and the participation of several universities and national entities strengthen institutional integration in supporting educational innovation.
For his part, the General Supervisor of the hackathon, Dr. Hamed Al-Qahtani, explained that the qualified projects will compete within specialized tracks that include personalized learning experience, academic advising, career guidance, and digital inclusion. He indicated that the hackathon is not limited to competition, but also seeks to nurture promising solutions and enable them with opportunities for development, experimentation, and adoption.
The Deputy General Supervisor of the hackathon, Dr. Adel Al-Surai’i, also affirmed that work on this edition was carried out according to an integrated operational system aimed at providing a professional experience for participants from the registration stage through to final judging. He noted that the qualified teams will find a stimulating environment that combines mentoring, teamwork, and positive competition, helping them transform their ideas into developable prototypes.
The hackathon will conclude on the evening of Saturday, May 16, with the announcement of the winners and the honoring of outstanding projects, amid expectations that its outcomes will contribute to building sustainable educational solutions that affirm King Khalid University’s presence in leading qualitative initiatives that bring together education, technology, and innovation.
The Applied College Club in Al-Ma’ at King Khalid University, in cooperation with the Deanship of Student Affairs – Female Students Affairs Agency, launched on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the digital platform “Alma’ Tura” at the Al-Ma’ Heritage Visitors Center, as part of the Ajawid (4) initiative. The platform aims to highlight the region’s tourism and heritage features, showcase its unique architectural identity and authentic cultural character, and introduce local artisans, reflecting the club’s commitment to supporting tourism, preserving heritage, and enhancing digital engagement with visitors and the community.