Assas, President of Umm Al-Qura University (left), and Abdullah Al-Turaifi of Arabian Advanced Systems, sign a contact for installation, operation, maintenance and technical support of new electronic education programs at the university. — SG photoBy Amal Al-Sibai Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Umm Al-Qura University has signed an agreement with Arabian Advanced Systems (AAS) to develop an advanced IT infrastructure to provide distance learning and electronic education programs to students. The system will cost approximately SR11 million and the AAS will be responsible for its setup, operation, technical support and maintenance. Dr. Bakri Al-Assas, President of Umm Al-Qura University, and Abdullah Al-Turaifi, Vice President of Arabian Advanced Systems, signed a contract to this effect in Makkah recently. Prof. Dr. Essam Al-Ahdal, Dean of the Community College, and Dr. Nabil Koshk, Vice President of Umm Al-Qura, were in attendance during the signing ceremony. Dr. Assas expressed his appreciation and gratitude to King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for his unflinching support for establishing distance learning and electronic education systems and making them available at Umm Al-Qura University. The program will make university-level education easily accessible to those who may not physically attend the university due to reasons such as living in remote areas, lack of transportation, financial obligations, and marriage and child-rearing responsibilities imposed on young mothers who desire to continue their education. Dr. Assas was optimistic that the distance learning programs at Umm Al-Qura University will be highly efficient and equivalent to the programs offered by the most prestigious universities worldwide. The courses will be designed to be interactive to involve the participation of students and to open channels of communication between students and faculty. __
