SDG4: QUALITY EDUCATION

Introduction

Qassim University established as a new university that carrying an academic and research legacy extends to more than four decades in the region, as some colleges received students since 1401 H. Qassim University was founded in implementation of the national plan to expand higher education and universities. The Supreme Decree No. 7/B/22042 was issued for establishing Qassim University in the Academic Year 1423/1424 AH, which then included seven colleges affiliated to Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University and to King Saud University branches in the Qassim region.

Qassim University is one of the first modern universities, exempting the seven universities, in terms of origin, development and expansion. It has been established according to directives of government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for advancement of education. New colleges have been opened due to the growing number of high school graduates in Qassim region.

The number of colleges has been increased in the academic year 1427/1428 as a result of annexation of teachers colleges and colleges of education for girls in the cities of Qassim region (total number are nine colleges) to the university. In addition, during academic year1428/1429 and its annexation of the restructuring of health colleges (total number are four colleges), which was affiliated to the Ministry of Health.

Qassim University has grown rapidly, currently comprising thirty-eight (38) colleges, found in twelve Provinces in addition to the main campus in Al-Malaidah, deanship of deanship of educational services (foundation year) and deanship of community service that supervising various diploma programs.

The study in Qassim University is not limited to the traditional teaching strategies, but the university established the deanship of E-learning and distance education, in order to keep pace with scientific, technical and cultural developments. In addition to facilitating studying for applicants who want to continue their study in the field of higher education to move forward to a better future.

The support of the Government of the Kingdom for Qassim University showed a clear impact on its transformation into a modern university with a number of students at the present time (66894) male and female students from more than 80 countries around the world.

Qassim University is one of the comprehensive public universities in Saudi Arabia. The university is determined to develop and update its curricula and courses, and to provide the environment for academic advancement in various fields of science and knowledge, and to conduct scientific studies and research related to the problems of the environment and the society.

Besides that, Qassim University pursues in its education strategy the application of standards and foundations of quality assurance and accreditation, which resulted in fully accreditation of the university until 2027 by the National Center for Academic Accreditation and Assessment in the Kingdom. Moreover, many academic programs of the university have been accredited and recognized either nationally (23 academic programs) or internationally (15 academic programs) (Deanship of Development and Quality). Also, the university develops and improves its outputs through the use of a number of modern teaching methods, and strategies, inclusion of cooperative training programs and the introduction and development of programs to meet the requirements of the labor market. In addition, there was a noticeable development in the adoption of electronic learning in Qassim University. The number of electronic courses were developed from 3 courses on 2015/2016 to 459 courses in 2020/2021. On the other hand, the university is developing the performance of faculty members and those of similar standing and employees through special training programs provided by the Leadership and Capacity Development Center.