Jeddah University, the young university topping the list of new universities in the Kingdom, whose officials affirm that it started its academic programs where others left off, leveraging the available knowledge, educational, and training potentials to keep pace with the projects and programs of Saudi Vision 2030, to bridge the gap between qualifications, capabilities, and the actual needs of the labor market.

Makkah newspaper interviewed the university president, Dr. Adnan Al-Humaidan, who gave the province's residents the good news of launching the College of Medicine for female students next year, revealing the introduction of the first-of-its-kind specialization in the Kingdom in cybersecurity sciences, and new specializations that will receive students next year, while increasing the university's acceptance rate this year by 66%.

1. The name of Jeddah University has recently emerged as one of the Saudi universities, and there has been much talk about its uniqueness in offering qualitative programs. What are those programs?

Certainly, the most important reason for the university's distinction is the great and unlimited support from the leadership to overcome all obstacles it faces, as well as the support of the Minister of Education Dr. Ahmed Al-Issa for the qualitative plans and programs it seeks to offer.

As is known, the university is the newest Saudi public university, and this required us, when developing its strategic plan, to adopt a new and different approach. We ensured that our plan aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and we invested a lot of time and effort with various teams of university members, employees, and advisors to improve the quality of educational outcomes, which led us to a comprehensive restructuring of colleges and linking them to the labor market and its requirements more realistically. We focused on enriching students' knowledge, activating the initiatives and partnerships the university has established, expanding them internally and externally, achieving competitive advantage and stakeholders' aspirations, as well as enhancing its role and status among Saudi universities.

As for the new programs, the university has introduced several distinctive programs, including qualitative programs in admission that are unique, such as the Academic Acceleration Program, which aims to accelerate the academic path for the university student by passing the preparatory year and studying the first year directly in the accepted college after completing all conditions and standards of standardized tests in mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, and computer science. Alongside the Direct Assignment Program, which seeks to attract the highest admission rates in the university from gifted and outstanding students among graduates of the scientific track in secondary school and assign them directly to the chosen college.

2. The recent decision to merge the Al-Faisaliah branch and the College of Designs and Arts from King Abdulaziz University into Jeddah University has raised many questions and reactions among some female students of the branch. What is your comment on this decision? Will it affect the students' certificates?

This royal decision is one aspect of the great support the university receives, and it came after recommendations from a specialized committee formed by the Council of Ministers. It will never affect the status of the female students, their academic degrees, or the level of the academic certificate they will obtain, as Jeddah University is a public university like King Abdulaziz University and other public universities, and all its specializations are classified in the civil service. Moreover, the joining of female faculty members, employees, and students of the Al-Faisaliah branch will constitute a strong and distinguished support, giving us renewed confidence in the university and its multiple capabilities.

3. Does this expansion mean you will increase the acceptance rate in the coming years?

This year, during the admission phase that started on the 12th of the current Ramadan, we aim to raise the acceptance rate to 66%. The university also seeks to focus on attracting students, especially the gifted and distinguished, and to provide them with the greatest opportunities for admission, because we believe this group is one of the most important that can be relied upon to achieve the requirements of the ambitious phase the Kingdom is striving for.

4. What are the most important new specializations introduced for male and female students next year?

The new specializations approved by the university for the next academic year are qualitative, according to experts. Given the accreditations it obtained quickly, they cover most academic fields and include both scientific and humanities tracks. In the scientific track, specializations such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, software engineering, data science and analysis were introduced, in addition to new specializations in accounting, including risk management and insurance. New engineering specializations were also opened, such as water sustainability and desalination engineering and energy systems engineering. Admission will be opened for the first time at the College of Medicine for female students next year.

As for the humanities track specializations approved by Jeddah University, they include judicial studies, sports sciences, digital media, translation and international languages, history and archaeology, and other specializations. We will not hesitate to add anything new and useful that meets the needs of the homeland and the desires and aspirations of this enthusiastic generation, moving forward with strength and steadfastness, and elevating the university to the ranks of prestigious universities.

5. The university started accepting male and female students for the next academic year since the 12th of the current Ramadan. How do you view the launch of admission in its various stages?

The admission launched by the university this month is historic in its academic journey, both in terms of new and rare specializations and the number of accepted male and female students, whom we wish success. The admission plan for this year goes through three stages: the first is opening admission, which you mentioned; then the confirmation of the application, which is limited to three days starting from the 24th of the upcoming Shawwal; followed by the announcement of admission results on the 4th of the upcoming Dhu al-Qi'dah, after completing all the specified controls and conditions for admission to all colleges and specializations.

Out of the university's interest and desire to provide the best services and facilities for students in the registration and admission process, the admission portal was updated for this year and launched in its new version since the announcement of opening admission. It includes several new services, such as using instant chat and screen sharing features, as well as support, inquiry, and direct communication services via the Deanship of Admission and Registration website.

A comprehensive restructuring of colleges and linking them to the labor market and its requirements

We will not hesitate to find everything new and useful that meets the needs of the homeland.

We have introduced qualitative programs, and the university's specializations are classified in the civil service.

We aspire to attract the highest admission rates for the gifted and outstanding.

Steps for assigning gifted students at the university:

Qualified applicants apply for admission through the electronic admission portal during the official admission period.

If the student meets the conditions and the system verifies that, an icon appears saying 'I wish to compete for direct assignment seats'.

The best applicants are assigned directly to the chosen college, with a maximum of 10% of the suggested number for admission to the college.

The student is immediately enrolled in the university's program for attracting and nurturing gifted students in science and innovation.

3 levels for girls' sports programs

Short-term

Qualifying courses in physical and health education activities (duration: two academic years)

Medium-term

Specialized diploma in teaching physical and health education for holders of a bachelor's degree in education in all specializations (duration: 3 years)

Long-term

Bachelor's in Sports Sciences through 3 tracks: physical and health education, physical and health fitness trainers, and physical activity administrators.