The Saudi Shura Council held its seventeenth regular session of the second year of its ninth term on Monday, chaired by Speaker Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh. The session included extensive discussions and the issuance of a number of resolutions aimed at developing the Kingdom's infrastructure and education, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
Strategic guidelines for Prince Mohammed bin Salman Park
At the start of the session, the council issued an important resolution urging the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Park Foundation to expedite the preparation of its strategic plan. The council emphasized the necessity of conducting thorough environmental studies for the project area, given the site's environmental sensitivity, in order to identify projects suitable for its specific characteristics.
This decision comes within the context of the Kingdom's growing focus on the environment and quality of life, with the Council urging the Foundation to enhance its integration with the "Green Riyadh" program and other relevant entities. This step is particularly significant given that the park is one of the major projects that will serve as a green lung for the capital, Riyadh, thus necessitating the application of global best practices in environmental sustainability.
Criticisms and recommendations for developing Jazan University
On the educational front, the council discussed Jazan University's annual report for the 2024 academic year. After listening to the report from the Education and Scientific Research Committee, council members offered constructive criticism and recommendations aimed at improving the university's efficiency. Dr. Aisha Arishi urged the university to accelerate its transition to the new "University System," which grants universities greater autonomy and flexibility in decision-making. She also called for the formation of advisory boards and the establishment of effective partnerships with the industrial sector.
The discussions also focused on the human resources file, with Dr. Bandar Al-Buqami calling for the adoption of a plan to attract and localize academic talent, while Dr. Hassan Al-Hazmi stressed the need to restructure the university’s branches based on the relative advantages of each governorate, to ensure educational outputs that are compatible with the labor market.
Umm Al-Qura University: Investing in the sacred status
In a related matter, the council discussed the annual report of Umm Al-Qura University. Discussions focused on how to leverage Makkah's unique global significance. Dr. Abdullah Al-Najjar proposed adopting a strategic model for international students within the "Study in Saudi Arabia" program to transform Makkah into a global center of academic attraction.
In the context of scientific research, Dr. Ghada Al-Hudhali called for strengthening the role of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, by attracting high-impact researchers and publishing research in prestigious international journals, which would enhance the Kingdom’s position in crowd management and serving the guests of God.
Strengthening international partnerships
In addition to domestic matters, the Council approved several international memoranda of understanding reflecting the Kingdom’s economic openness, including economic cooperation agreements with both Portugal and Guinea, as well as a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority and the Jordanian Ministry of Investment, which enhances regional economic integration.
