On behalf of MU Rector, Prof. Saleh Al-Mezal — Chairman of the Board of CIFAL Saudi Arabia — the Vice-Rector for Development and Investment and Board Member of CIFAL Saudi Arabia, Prof. Musallam Al-Dossari, officially launched the first edition of the LEAP-FAST International Collaborative Workshop.
The event is hosted by MU in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and UNESCO, featuring participation from 14 international universities and global experts.
Prof. Al-Dossari emphasized that hosting such an international event demonstrates the university’s leadership role in supporting sustainable development goals both locally and globally. He highlighted the university's view of higher education as a powerful platform for driving inclusive and sustainable change.
The first day featured the session “Inspiration to Change,” where prominent Saudi figures shared impactful experiences linking higher education to local community development. Participants also engaged in an interactive Jigsaw Activity focusing on ten national priorities for sustainable development in the Kingdom, with active participation from both local and international delegates.
The workshop includes engaging discussions and training sessions on designing sustainable academic programs, integrating AI in education, interdisciplinary learning, and envisioning the future of higher education. The event aims to foster global knowledge exchange and promote practical, scalable initiatives.