In Ramadan of 1430 corresponding to August of 2009, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud (May Allah have mercy on his soul) issued a decree of establishing Majmaah University, which have managed in 7 years to achieve success and long strides of progress due to the ongoing support of the judicious leadership and the hard work of the University leaders. Indeed, throughout the past 7 years, the close follow-up of the country leaders marked by the unlimited financial support in addition to the dedication of the University leaders along with the staff have helped the university in its advancement, making it the best growing University in the kingdom.
Majmaah University serves a wide geographical area that includes several provinces such as Majmaah, Zulfi, Ghaat, Rumah as well as Howtat Sedeir. Following the spread of schools in those aforementioned provinces, there was a growing need for establishing a university, serving students from such a broad spectrum. Hence, Majmaah University has been founded to satisfy the need for a higher educational institution covering such areas in order to help achieve social stability as well as provide education, research facilities and community services to the community.
The university started with nine colleges: a College of Education in Majmaah, a College of Education in Zulfi, a College of Science and Humanities in Howtat Sedeir, a Community College in Majmaah, a College of Science in Zulfi, a College of Business Administration in Majmaah, a College of Applied Medical Science in Majmaah, a College of Science and Humanities in Ghaat and a College of Engineering in Majmaah.
Experienced academic as well as administrative leaders have been well-chosen from the start, and the first thing was to work on the complete independence of the University by separating its nine colleges and administration from the previous affiliated universities in a short time. Then, there was the development of the buildings as well as the academic programs of the colleges and the provision of well-equipped classrooms in addition to high-tech laboratories that can create a suitable educational environment and attract competent faculty members.
Thus, the University started independently following elaborate plans and academic programs of well-known prestigious universities around the world. The organizational structure of Majmaah University has been designed by a group of experts in the field of higher education management with the focus on developing the abilities of the university personnel through courses and programs in addition to improving the skills necessary for managing its departments. Hence, the University rapidly moved from the initial stage to development and expansion.
A feature of such advancement has been reflected in the founding of the Medical School in Majmaah, the College of Dentistry in Zulfi, the College of Science and Humanities in Rumah, and the College of Computer Science and Information in Majmaah. Thus, the total number of the colleges reached 13 in addition to the supporting deanships and 5 research centers.
Admission and registration programs have been actuated electronically along with the development of a network linking the university with its branches. Accordingly, the university has achieved distinction in the field of information technology and electronic systems with the successful accomplishment of the system of safety and security within the university buildings along with the initiation of the research centers to produce excellent generation of researchers.
A comprehensive plan of research chairs was made, and the development of the University libraries was introduced according to firm, long-term plans. Fundamental steps in the area of academic accreditation have also been taken.
Moreover, a number of master’s degree programs have been offered along with the support of scholarship and training programs. The university has also contributed to social development through the services and programs offered by the Deanship of Community Service that include advanced diplomas, bridging programs, training agreements and cooperation with various sectors as well as understanding partnerships with a number of ministries, institutions and public organizations.
Furthermore, the university has finished the execution of its 1st strategic plan with the participation of internal and external partners. The second plan of 2020 has been designed, and the first steps of activation have been taken as well The university has increased cooperation with a number of international universities, experienced bodies along with specialized centers, benefitting from the exchange of experience in academia and administration.
The university also aims to take advantage of the scholarship program of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques as well as the participation in several conferences, local and international exhibitions, cultural and scientific weeks as well as the Career Day in some foreign countries. Additionally, the university has established mobile medical and educational services for its community including mobile clinics and laboratories.
Majmaah University students, the core of education, are offered various educational and entertaining programs by the Deanship of Student Affairs. Students are also registered in the University e-Portal through which they can review their academic status online. Also, the University is keen on providing them with what they need to improve their skills and abilities. Such willingness and provision resulted in students winning gold and bronze medals at the Arab and international levels through their participation in conferences and competitions with their innovations.
Moreover, the number of students has tripled from 7000 in 1430-1431 to 22000 in 1435-1436. As early as 1431, the number of the personnel was only 450, and that figure has reached more than 4000 in 1437. Several classes have graduated since the founding of the University.
The university celebrated the opening of the first buildings at the main campus in Majmaah and in the College Complex in Zulfi by his Majesty, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Those buildings were instituted in accordance with the most innovative criteria of international universities. In addition, the outlines of the main campus, which included several colleges, a Sports City, a Medical City, the University Administration, dormitories for students and faculty in addition to the buildings of the supporting deanships, have been completed. The university has also constructed more buildings to receive the increasing number of students in Majmaah, Ghaat, Rumah and Hawtat Sedeir.
This has been accomplished with the blessings of Allah, and the relentless financial support of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques along with the follow-up the Minister of Education and the cooperation from all governmental and private institutions.
This is the story of fulfilled aspirations, where dreams have become reality in a few years owing to the ongoing support of the government and the dedication of the University leaders. However, development has no limits, and hopes are high that such University would be an exceptional lighthouse of knowledge and research, similar to world-renowned Universities.
