SDG 4 in Saudi Arabia: Quality Education
Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in reforming and enhancing its education system, aligning closely with Vision 2030 to meet global educational standards and foster human capital development.
Efforts by the Saudi Government to Achieve SDG 4
Educational Reform Under Vision 2030:
The Human Capability Development Program focuses on equipping citizens with the knowledge and skills needed for the future.
Reforms include updating curricula, integrating technology in classrooms, and aligning education with the needs of the labor market.
Increased Access to Education:
The government has prioritized accessibility by building schools in remote areas, providing transportation, and ensuring gender equality in education.
Programs like Mawhiba identify and nurture gifted students, offering advanced learning opportunities.
Focus on Higher Education:
Saudi universities are being developed into world-class institutions through partnerships with international universities, accreditation programs, and a focus on research and innovation. Scholarships are provided for students to study abroad, enhancing their exposure to diverse educational systems.
Digital Transformation in Education:
Platforms like Madrasati and Noor facilitate online learning, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
E-learning and blended learning approaches are being integrated into the education system to improve accessibility and efficiency.
Teacher Training and Professional Development:
The government invests in continuous professional development for teachers to ensure they are equipped with modern teaching methodologies and tools.Initiatives like the Tatweer Program focus on enhancing the capabilities of educators.
Adult Education and Literacy Programs:
Special programs target adult education and reducing illiteracy rates, with a focus on marginalized and rural populations.
Campaigns to educate older adults in basic literacy skills align with broader goals of lifelong learning.
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD):
Education policies now incorporate themes of sustainability, critical thinking, and global citizenship to prepare students to contribute meaningfully to society.
SDG 4 at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)
IMSIU plays a vital role in advancing SDG 4 through its academic offerings, research, and community engagement initiatives.
The university focuses on providing quality education and fostering an environment that encourages lifelong learning
and holistic development.
Diverse Academic Programs:
IMSIU offers a wide range of programs in fields such as Islamic studies, humanities, sciences, and technology, catering to the diverse interests and needs of its students.
Programs are regularly updated to align with labor market demands and
global educational trends.
IMSIU emphasizes research as a cornerstone of its educational mission, supporting faculty and students in pursuing innovative projects.
Research centers at IMSIU address pressing societal challenges, contributing to knowledge generation and problem-solving.
Digital and Blended Learning:
The university has adopted e-learning platforms and blended teaching methods to ensure continuity of education and improve accessibility for students from various regions.
Online resources and digital tools are integrated into academic programs to
enhance learning experiences.
Inclusivity and Equal Opportunity:
IMSIU promotes inclusivity by providing scholarships and financial aid to students from underprivileged backgrounds.
Special programs support students with disabilities, ensuring they have access to the same quality of education as their peers.
Teacher Training Programs:
IMSIU offers specialized training for future educators, focusing on modern teaching methods, technology integration,
and inclusive education practices.Workshops and certifications for faculty aim to maintain high teaching standards.
IMSIU runs educational outreach programs, such as literacy campaigns and workshops for the broader community,
particularly in rural areas.The university partners with government bodies and NGOs to promote education and lifelong learning for all.
Integration of Islamic Values and Education for Global Citizenship:
IMSIU combines Islamic principles with modern education, fostering a balanced approach that prepares students for both
local and global challenges. Courses and activities emphasize critical thinking, social responsibility, and sustainable development.
Impact of IMSIU's Efforts on SDG 4
By providing quality education, promoting innovation, and addressing societal needs, IMSIU contributes to Saudi Arabia's
progress toward achieving SDG 4. Its focus on inclusivity, research, and lifelong learning aligns with national and global objectives,
preparing its graduates to become responsible and capable leaders in a rapidly evolving world.
IMSIU provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing sports facilities and/or activities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and e-learning and distance education opportunities, as well as administrative services. In addition, IMSIU provides a public education (primary, secondary) through its sixty-six institutes that in all KSA regions.
IMSIU libraries ensure the availability of appropriate resources,facilities, and equipment that can fulfil educational and research needs and requirements. Accordingly, it provides suitable resources and references for the university programs, in addition to suitable facilities and equipment that the programs require. Additionally, the libraries linked to Al Fehres Al Araby,the Arabic Index that enable users to access the bibliographic data of various information sources. In addition, an agreement was made with the World DigitalLibrary to access OCLC network to enable users to search for books and journals in Arabic and English. Another agreement was made with Princess Nourah University, and another agreement was made with the Saudi Digital Library (SDL) to facilitate users reach to scientific journals and databases. Hence, these agreements provide IMSIU community with all means of access to various information sources via electronic databases, research material, and scientific journals. As the table below shows, the IMSIU library yhas a good amount of collections. The library is equipped with easy-to-use and cost-effective copying machines, in addition to the availability of adequate facilities for the use of portable PCs. IMSIU evaluates periodically the services, facilities and resources and compares that with some other educational institutions of similar size and programs. The Deanship of Libraries Affairs and other units that have learning resources have a very clear set of policies and procedures for all its activities like evaluation and assessment of learning resources and facilities and making orders for new books and scientific references, renewing and placing new orders for online international digital libraries, periodical subscriptions, other scientific database subscriptions, and renewing and maintaining equipment.
IMSIU has ensured adequacy of labs and their quality, safety and equipment through the Permanent Committee of Furnishing. All the buildings,facilities, and equipment within the university premises are very well maintained and have high health and safety standards thus enabling the university in providing its students with an outstanding environment that encourages academic development, counselling and productive researches.
The university strives to ensure balance provision of educational resources, equipment, and facilities for both male and female sections. Male and female students have equal access to academic programs, learning resources,and support services. In each section, there are similar facilities such as cafeterias, copying centers, rest areas, car park, mini-shopping centers,etc..
Saudi Digital Library launches comprehensive and free access initiative in Saudi Arabia during the Corona Pandemic
The Saudi Digital Library recently launched a kingdom-wide comprehensive and free access initiative for the number of digital information bases in collaboration with a number of Arab and foreign publishing houses that agreed to free access during the Corona Pandemic. The Saudi Digital Library initiative is to support e-learning and provide free access to all citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia during the pandemic period. Beneficiaries can access these rules through the digital library portal at the following link: https://sdl.edu.sa/National/
The initiative includes free access to 6 arabic and English information bases, and includes the System House rules, which provide access to more than 342 scientific journals and more than 590 conferences and symposiums. The base covers several areas specializing in educational and social sciences, Islamic and legal sciences, as well as access to more than 150,000 university messages. The Arabic Knowledge Base, which provides access to more than 400,000 articles from 1,900 scientific journals, includes 12 majors in science and covers several disciplines, including humanities, legal, social sciences, economic and financial sciences, business administration and several other disciplines. Knowledge also provides the Arsif base, which specializes in large reference citations in Arabic for scientific journals. The initiative also included free access to the ProQuest base, which covers various scientific and medical disciplines and provides access to more than 5 million scientific messages, the OECD information base, which covers the economic content of 80 countries in 25 languages, as well as cabi's base specializing in environmental and agricultural sciences.
The Saudi Digital Library thanked and appreciated the publishers (System House - Knowledge - Arsif - ProQuest -CABI - OECD) who provided free access nationwide.
It is worth mentioning that the Saudi Digital Library is one of the most prominent models supporting scientific gatherings at the national level, where it works to provide advanced information services, in addition to making the sources of digital information in all its forms available, and making it accessible to faculty, researchers and students in the postgraduate and bachelor's degrees at Saudi universities and other institutions of higher education.
Free training programs launched at Saudi Digital Library
The Saudi Digital Library has always been keen to spread knowledge and raise awareness of the importance of using digital information sources and overcome all difficulties, so the Training and Information Awareness Department of the Saudi Digital Library is pleased to launch the training program package for the current semester from 1439 to 1440 H through the platform (March), which numbered 138 training courses.
These courses were categorized into six ranges: authorship range, translation range, scope of researchers, teacher range, research range in digital sources, scope of information culture.
The courses are offered to all employees of Saudi universities and to researchers and interested people who wish to benefit from them, to increase scientific production and support decision-making in all government sectors in the Kingdom.
The Saudi Digital Library also welcomes you to join the more than 40,000 trainees, and for
more information you can access the training portal and see the details of the courses at the following link: http://sdl.edu.sa/training/E-Training.aspx
Community service inside and outside the university.
University libraries provide many community services and cultural activities that seek to contribute to achieving the university's mission and main objectives, including:
Availability of all information sources available in the university's libraries to the general public, by visiting the libraries virtually through the official website on the Internet, or in person.
- Raising the cultural level and intellectual immunization of young people by donating and distributing many original scientific publications and references.
Gifting and exchanging scientific and cultural publications with various community institutions, both internally and externally.
Exchange of theses with other Saudi universities.
- Regular organization of many book fairs internally, and participation in most of the internal and international exhibitions.
Supporting events and activities organized by the university and other parties with specialized exhibitions with the library's holdings (manuscripts, periodicals, books, and multimedia).
Community Service Inside and Outside the University
University libraries provide many community services and cultural activities that seek to contribute to achieving the university's mission and main objectives, including:
Availability of all information sources available in the university's libraries to the general public, by visiting the libraries virtually through the official website on the Internet, or in person.
- Raising the cultural level and intellectual immunization of young people by donating and distributing many original scientific publications and references.
Gifting and exchanging scientific and cultural publications with various community institutions, both internally and externally.
Exchange of theses with other Saudi universities.
- Regular organization of many book fairs internally, and participation in most of the internal and international exhibitions.
Supporting events and activities organized by the university and other parties with specialized exhibitions with the library's holdings (manuscripts, periodicals, books, and multimedia).
Report on the Contribution of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University to Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education
Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) has played a pivotal role in contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Through its initiatives, programs, and partnerships, IMSIU has made significant impacts on students and society, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance the quality of education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
1. Development of Educational Programs
In response to national directives and Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasized bridging the gap between higher education outcomes and labor market demands, IMSIU has prioritized the development of academic programs as part of its strategic initiatives. The university's 2021-2025 Strategic Plan aims to strengthen the institution's role in producing competitive educational outcomes that meet the needs of the labor market and contribute to building a knowledge-based economy. IMSIU's Vice Deanship for Educational Affairs has been actively supporting colleges and institutes in revising and enhancing their academic programs in accordance with both national and international quality standards. These efforts ensure the continuous improvement of the university's academic outputs, leading to higher quality in graduates' performance and knowledge. The development plans have been announced and are available on the university's official website, showcasing its commitment to transparency and quality education. By focusing on such initiatives, IMSIU continues to contribute to the fulfillment of SDG 4 by ensuring access to quality education and fostering an environment that promotes excellence in teaching and learning.
Training and Development of Faculty Members:
The university, represented by the Vice Presidency for Planning, Development, and Quality, strives to create a positive educational environment that serves as a model for human capital investment and development. A significant focus has been placed on enhancing the skills of the university's faculty and staff in ways that support academic and educational processes, aligning with the university's goals and its commitment to sustainability.
To facilitate this, the Skills Development Center was established to lead these efforts, organizing training and development programs aimed at university staff to ensure sustainable development. This work positively impacts the quality and performance of the university's output, helping the institution achieve its long-term goals. The Skills Development Center is one of the main pillars of academic advancement at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, offering various programs, workshops, and forums aimed at improving teaching and research for faculty members, lecturers, and teaching assistants.
Additionally, the center collaborates with colleges and other university entities to provide comprehensive training in various fields. The center's strategic plan is aligned with the university's overall strategy (2021-2025), as well as Saudi Vision 2030. Examples of courses offered include “Effective University Teaching Skills," “Grade Center Tools in Blackboard," “Scientific Principles of Academic Writing," and “Leading Discussions and Asking Questions to Develop Higher Thinking Skills." These courses are advertised on the center's dedicated webpage on the university's official website.
In alignment with the importance of a knowledge-based economy for the nation's development and sustainability, the Deanship of Scientific Research plays a pivotal role in enhancing education quality by supporting and promoting scientific research activities. The deanship provides essential resources and tools for faculty members and students to support their research projects across various disciplines. The university awarded a double excellence reward to 969 faculty members and signed 165 contracts, 82 of which were funded research groups, totaling 46,980,000 SAR. To promote international collaboration, the university has published approximately 400 research papers on the Web of Science as part of its international program, with a budget of 9,160,000 SAR and participation from eight developing countries. The deanship also oversees research centers within colleges and offers a variety of workshops and events to inspire faculty members. The Deanship periodically announces its researcher support programs on its website, and any updates or new announcements are sent via the university email system to faculty members.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Education:
The university actively encourages students to participate in innovative educational initiatives, such as hackathons. The university has organized several hackathons, providing students with opportunities to apply what they learn academically to real-world problems, both on and off campus. This approach enhances their critical thinking and practical application skills. Students from Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, under the supervision of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, participated in the 4th Health Innovation Hackathon, organized by King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.
The hackathon aims to invest in young talents, empower them with innovative skills, and employ artificial intelligence and technology in healthcare to develop unique projects in the health and technology sectors and contribute to building the future economy. The hackathon also seeks to create a national university platform for exchanging knowledge and offering innovative solutions to the challenges facing the healthcare sector.
The hackathon included several tracks, such as the hackathon competition, the tech camp, the innovation exhibition, the KASAO scientific competition, the entrepreneurial exhibition, and panel discussions with the heads of innovation centers.
additionally, Imam University organized the 2024 International Applications Challenge Hackathon at King Abdullah City for Female Students, led by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center in collaboration with NASA, the SaudiSpace Agency, and the Communications and Space Technology Commission. Dr. Sawsan bint Abdulkarim Al-Moamen, head of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, welcomed participating teams from schools and universities across the Kingdom. She explained that the hackathon's goal is to foster collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of ideas, using open data from NASA to develop innovative solutions to challenges on Earth and in space.
This hackathon is one of the most significant annual competitions, aiming to harness creative energies and transform them into innovations that serve projects in Earth and space fields, creating new pathways for the future and providing scientific and technical solutions.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission launched a Translation Hackathon at the college atrium to explore the best practices in cultural translation, the use of technological applications, and discussions on new updates and their solutions.
Additionally, the Deanship of Student Affairs, in collaboration with the Salam Project for Cultural Communication, organized an orientation session for the “Youth Leadership Program for Global Communication."
Learning Resources for Faculty Members and Students:
Committed to equipping its students with the concepts and practical tools necessary to address global sustainability challenges, the university offers high-quality academic programs that integrate sustainability into the curriculum. The following list includes sustainability-related courses. [Link]
Additionally, the libraries at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, represented by the General Directorate of Libraries, are among the most important sources of knowledge and academic support for students and faculty members. They offer advanced information services by collecting, organizing, and disseminating information, as well as improving these resources to enhance the quality of the educational and research processes. The libraries provide a wide range of scientific and research resources that contribute to the ongoing sustainability of the educational and research processes. Through its website, the library facilitates access to local libraries such as the Saudi Digital Library and international libraries like the Library of Congress and Wiley Digital Library.
1. Central Library: Contains a vast collection of books, references, and academic journals covering a variety of academic disciplines, including social sciences, languages, science, medicine, engineering, and sustainability-related fields.
2. Digital Library: Offers access to a large collection of e-books, scientific articles, e-journals, and research materials available to both students and faculty, making remote study and research easier.
3. Advanced Search Systems: The libraries provide advanced electronic search systems that allow students to easily find scientific sources and materials, saving them time and effort.
4. Free Borrowing Services: The libraries offer lending services for both physical and digital resources to students and faculty members, giving them greater access to a wide range of materials.
5. Library Subscriptions: The library subscribes to databases that provide access to high-quality academic resources across various disciplines, such as EBSCO and IEEE.
The university library also participates in local and international exhibitions, seeking to disseminate knowledge globally, especially in developing countries. Examples include participation in the Khartoum International Exhibition in Sudan and the Fourth Book Fair in Al-Jouf.
Furthermore, the library contributes to spreading knowledge locally and globally by organizing courses and workshops on topics like the quality of distance education policies and practices in Arab countries and an introductory lecture on quality of life.
Events Serving Education and the Community:
In its pursuit to serve both education and the community, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) has hosted and participated in numerous events. For example, the university invited prospective students from across the Kingdom to attend the Masar Forum, designed to help students transition to higher education by guiding them in choosing suitable academic majors and enhancing their skills through interactions with experts and inspiring speakers.
The Masar Forum encourages individuals to invest in self-development and take meaningful steps toward personal and professional growth. It invites participants to register and engage in various activities aimed at enhancing their skills and expanding their knowledge. The forum focuses on helping attendees make informed decisions to achieve their personal and career goals. Programs like Develop Your Learning, Inspirational Experience, and Prepare Yourself were offered, featuring experts and motivational speakers.
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the President of Imam University sponsored the International Day of Persons with Disabilities event under the theme “United in Achieving the SDGs for Persons with Disabilities." The event aimed to promote the integration of people with disabilities into society, raise awareness of their rights, and provide information on the services available to them. The event included an exhibition with workshops, displays of assistive technologies, and panel discussions on employment and education for people with disabilities.
Several individuals and institutions that made significant contributions to supporting people with disabilities were honored during the event. Visitors praised the facilities provided by the university and the services offered by participating organizations. In turn, these organizations expressed their appreciation for the university's efforts in supporting and integrating people with disabilities into the university community.
The Badir Forum, organized by IMSIU under the Wiqaya and Nabeeh Initiatives with the participation of 27 government, private, and non-profit organizations, as well as student clubs, aimed to raise awareness among students about the dangers of drugs and psychoactive substances and to promote a safe campus environment. The forum featured awareness exhibitions, workshops, and training sessions covering health, psychological, and social aspects. It also highlighted the challenges facing society in combating drugs and included smoking cessation campaigns with medical consultations. The first forum benefited over 69,000 individuals, and the second benefited over 68,000.
Additionally, IMSIU is involved in attracting international students, particularly from developing countries. The university participated in the Kenya Alumni Forum, organized by Saudi higher education institutions in Nairobi.
As part of its commitment to community service and the SDGs, IMSIU organized the Fourth Career Week for its graduates. The event, held from May 20 to May 23, 2024, offered a variety of training courses and workshops aimed at developing students' professional skills. Topics covered included job interviews, resume writing, teamwork, self-marketing, building personal identity, leadership skills, and job search strategies.
The Enayah Mental Health Forum, also organized by IMSIU through its Deanship of Student Affairs, focused on raising awareness about the importance of mental health and its positive impact on students' academic performance. The forum highlighted the role of the university's “Enayah" Psychological and Social Counseling Center in promoting mental well-being within the university environment. Key panel discussions addressed topics like mental health and life priorities, mental health disorders in the digital age, and the role of counseling centers in universities. The event also included workshops that garnered active participation from students, offering techniques for relaxation and reducing anxiety.
https://units.imamu.edu.sa/administrations/csu/Pages/default.aspx
The forum attracted over 10,000 visitors and 21 participating entities, with discussions and sessions receiving strong student engagement.
Also, in collaboration with Salam for Cultural Communication, and with the presence of the Vice Dean for Programs and Activities, the Deanship of Student Affairs organized an introductory meeting for the “Youth Leadership for Global Communication" program in the Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijri Hall on August 25, 2024. Several speakers presented details of the program during the event.
