There have been no irregularities in the enrollment of female students in the university, a top official of the Umm Al-Qura University has said. Addressing a press conference here Monday, Dr. Bakri Bin Ma'toug Assas, President of Umm Al-Qura, said violent incidents in the female students branch of the university in Al-Zaher District occurred because of the closure of admission to full-time students section which annoyed some female students. These students, he said, did not follow the previously announced admission-related instructions and arrangements. “There were 153 female students who objected to not being admitted, only 16 of them fulfilled the conditions for admission and no female students with marks lower than what is required have been admitted,” Dr. Assas said. Following the press conference, Dr. Assas visited the female students' branch and listened to complaints from guardians of female students who did not receive admission. He accepted their files and promised to immediately admit those students who fulfill the admission and registration regulations. Meanwhile, a Royal approval has been issued to establish a girls' community college in Umm Al-Qura University, which will immediately begin admitting between 500 and 700 students. Dr. Assas said work is under way to secure a suitable location for the community college, pointing out that the approval reflects the leadership's concern for students to enable them to continue their education. Dr. Assas also said there were some seats for female students in a preparatory program which has a capacity of 3,500. The External Students' Program will accommodate between 5,000 and 6,000 female students, he added. On his first day in office after a vacation, Dr. Assas appointed Dr. Mona Al-Sibei as dean for Female Students' Affairs, replacing Dr. Noor Qaroot. He denied any connection between the decision and the incidents at the university. Dr. Qaroot is among the more distinctive administrators working at Umm Al-Qura University and has exerted great efforts, Dr. Assas said. But the decision to replace her was made because she has completed her term, he added. “When one sees the number of admission seekers, there will be chances of shortcomings, but we are working hard in developing the administrative performance through changing some women staff,” he said during the press conference. “There will be a new administrative body for the female students' section. This will be a great push, which has started with the decision to appoint Dr. Al
