The Vice Dean for Scientific Research and Innovation’s Message
Scientific research and innovation are among the fundamental pillars upon which universities rely to achieve their educational and research objectives, for they effectively advance university education, enhance scientific excellence, and contribute to national development. This impact is reflected in empowering society, ensuring its prosperity, and addressing its future needs.
In this context, the Vice Deanship for Scientific Research and Innovation seeks to promote the leadership and position of the College in scientific research through a comprehensive strategic approach aligned with the goals of the College of Science and the vision of Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University which aspires to excellence and leadership in scientific research and innovation. This is achieved by providing high-quality postgraduate programs and impactful research to support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in moving towards a knowledge-driven economy.
The Vice Deanship places special emphasis on supporting researchers across all categories: faculty members, postgraduate students, and undergraduate students, through encouraging them to conduct high-quality, innovative research. It also empowers them to exchange ideas with scientists and researchers, thereby enriching knowledge, serving society, and acquiring up-to-date expertise by providing a stimulating educational and research environment. Additionally, it organizes scientific forums, seminars, discussion panels, and specialized workshops, which play a crucial role in advancing the research environment and enhancing the quality of scientific research in line with national priorities in areas such as energy and industry, environmental sustainability, human health, and future economies.
The Vice Deanship collaborates with academic departments to develop and launch postgraduate programs aligned with labor market needs and Vision 2030, focusing on improving the quality of curricula and academic and research outcomes. The College of Science currently offers five Master’s programs and two Ph.D. programs, all of which adopt the latest trends and developments in scientific research to prepare highly qualified professionals with deep knowledge and advanced skills who contribute effectively to sustainable regional development.
Moreover, the Vice Deanship and its affiliated units implement innovative developmental projects and programs that support interdisciplinary research within the college, across the university, and in collaboration with national and international sectors. It also promotes a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, which ensures the improvement of research and innovation outputs and encourages the publication of research in prestigious international journals, all aligned with the research priorities of the College of Science to ensure a positive and sustainable impact on society and national development.
We ask Allah for guidance and success, and we wish everyone continued success and excellence.
Dr. Zainab Husain Alsunaidi
Vice Dean for Scientific Research and Innovation
Duties of the Vice Deanship for Scientific Research and Innovation
- Supervise the units affiliated with the Vice Deanship.
- Oversee the activities and development of the college faculty in the field of scientific research.
- Monitor and support the formation of research teams in specialized and joint fields.
- Supervise the development of the research strategy and plan and establish mechanisms for their implementation within the college.
- Develop plans and guidelines to direct researchers and postgraduate students towards addressing developmental goals and adopting societal issues in their studies and research.
- Monitor the provision of financial support for research from the university and external funding entities.
- Supervise the establishment and development of postgraduate programs that meet national needs and directives.
- Monitor the implementation of orientation programs for postgraduate students.
- Follow up on the status of the college’s scholarship students abroad.
- Oversee the academic progress of postgraduate students, including enrolment, registration, and scheduling.
- Monitor postgraduate studies examinations and committees.
- Supervise postgraduate programs' development (updating and creation) to align with national strategies, directives, and labor market needs according to the university guidelines.
- Implement quality practices to ensure optimal performance aligned with the academic accreditation standards for postgraduate programs.
- Ensure a suitable educational environment, including classrooms, laboratories, and facilities required by postgraduate programs to guarantee high performance.
- Follow up on the activities of scientific societies and chairs located within the college.
- Coordinate with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute and support the college’s activities in this field.
- Promote the university’s entrepreneurial environment through events, workshops, and lectures.
- Oversee matters related to patents, registration files, and intellectual property rights, and encourage college members in these areas.
- Ensure that requests for academic promotions, sabbaticals, scientific communication, and conference attendance submitted by faculty members are fulfilled.
- Supervise the completion of all requirements for the University Scientific Council.
- Monitor the achievement of the college’s/university’s strategic plan in relation to scientific research and innovation goals and associated performance indicators.
- General coordination with other college units, departments, and vice deanships within the college.
- Submit periodic reports to the college dean on the progress of vice deanship units, including achievements and challenges.
- Update the college’s website regarding the Vice Deanship and its affiliated units.
- Follow up on administrative tasks, attend meetings, and handle all matters related to the Vice Deanship for Scientific Research and Innovation and its units.
- Carrying out other tasks and duties assigned by the college dean.
Vice Deanship Units
Graduate Studies Affairs Unit
- Monitor the implementation of orientation programs for postgraduate students.
- Oversee the academic progress of postgraduate students, including enrolment, registration, and scheduling.
- Monitor postgraduate studies examinations and committees.
- Supervise postgraduate programs' development (updating and creation) to align with national strategies, directives, and labor market needs according to the university guidelines.
- Implement quality practices to ensure optimal performance aligned with the academic accreditation standards for postgraduate programs.
- Ensure a suitable educational environment, including classrooms, laboratories, and facilities required by postgraduate programs to guarantee high performance.
- Collaborate on all matters related to postgraduate research, including support and facilitation.
- Prepare unit-specific statistics and reports.
Scholarship and Teaching Assistants Affairs Unit
- Supervise and follow up on the status of scholarship students inside and outside the Kingdom from the start of their scholarship until completion.
- Ensure teaching assistants and lecturers are familiar with scholarship regulations and assist them in meeting the requirements.
- Prepare teaching assistants and lecturers for scholarships through brochures, workshops, and lectures.
- Encourage teaching assistants and lecturers to apply for scholarships at top-ranked universities.
- Develop support plans for teaching assistants and lecturers facing difficulties.
- Prepare statistics and reports related to scholarships.
- Ensure departments’ needs for teaching assistants are fulfilled.
- Follow up on the appointment procedures for teaching assistants in coordination with academic departments.
Scientific Research Unit
- Oversee and support the research activities and capacity building of college staff.
- Monitor and guide the formation of research teams in specialized and joint fields.
- Develop plans and guidelines to direct researchers and postgraduate students towards addressing developmental goals and adopting societal issues in their studies and research.
- Monitor the provision of financial support for research from the university and external funding entities.
- Organize scientific meetings with stakeholders across sectors to explore collaborative research opportunities.
- Develop and implement a research plan to increase undergraduate students’ participation in research activities.
- Host distinguished researchers to deliver seminars and enhance external research collaboration.
- Organize the annual Scientific Forum for the College of Science, where faculty and students present their latest research findings.
- Review and refine research proposals to improve funding opportunities from internal and external sources.
- Encourage participation in local and international conferences.
- Monitor the establishment of endowed research chairs within the college.
- Prepare guides and brochures to support scientific research and the use of modern technologies.
- Compile and maintain unit-related statistics and reports.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit
- Coordinate with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute and support the college’s activities in this field.
- Promote the university’s entrepreneurial environment through events, workshops, and lectures.
- Monitor patent-related activities, including registration files and intellectual property rights, and encourage college staff in this domain.
- Foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students and staff, encouraging originality in research.
- Encourage competition and motivation in the field of innovation and patents.
- Organize an annual innovation competition at the College of Science for students to present their creative ideas and support the development of pioneering concepts.
- Host distinguished speakers in innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Prepare unit-specific statistics and reports.
Scientific Publishing and Promotions Support Unit
- Ensure that requests for academic promotions, sabbaticals, scientific communication, and conference attendance submitted by faculty members are fulfilled.
- Supervise the completion of all requirements for the University Scientific Council.
- Monitor the establishment of scientific society branches at the college.
- Review and ensure compliance with academic promotion requests submitted by faculty in science disciplines from outside the college.
- Regularly track and evaluate the scientific output of the College of Science.
- Coordinate research consulting services related to scientific publishing for faculty, postgraduate students, and researchers.
- Monitor the quality of published research and work to increase its citation impact.
- Review and evaluate assistant professor promotion plans, providing ongoing support for achievement.
- Promote and support scientific publishing in high-quality, university-approved journals.
- Compile and maintain statistics and reports related to the unit.
Postgraduate Programs
Department of Mathematics
- Master of Science in Mathematics, with the following tracks: Pure Mathematics , Applied Mathematics and Statistics.
Department of Physics
- Master of Medical Physics
- Master of Physics in Materials Science
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physics, with two tracks: Theoretical Physics and Materials Physics
Department of Chemistry
- Master of Science in Chemistry
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemistry, with the following tracks: Physical Chemistry ,Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry.
Department of Biology
- Master of Science in Biological Sciences.
Contact Us
Vice Deanship of the College of Science for Scientific Research and Innovation
Phone: +966 13 333 781
Email: gs.science@iau.edu.sa
Vice Dean for Scientific Research & Innovation
Dr. Zainab Hussain Al Sunaidi
Ext: 37058
E-mail: zalsunaidi@iau.edu.sa
Office Manager
Postgraduate Program Development
Latifa Ahmed Al Kaabi
Ext: 37458
E-mail: lalkaabi@iau.edu.sa
Scientific Publishing and Promotions Support Unit
Farah Zamil Al Zamil
Ext: 37074
E-mail: falzamil@iau.edu.sa
Scholarship and Teaching Assistants Affairs Unit
Sarah Sami Al-Faryan
Ext: 37253
E-mail: ssalfariyan@iau.edu.sa
Scientific Research Unit
Afnan Dhayf Allah Al-Ghamdi
Ext: 37480
Email: adalghamd@iau.edu.sa
Graduate Studies Affairs Unit
Reem Hassan Al-Khalifa
Ext: 37488
Email: ralkilfa@iau.edu.sa
Mariam Abdullah Al-Ateeq
Ext: 37070
Email: maalateeq@iau.edu.sa
Shuaa Mohammed Al-Qassimi
Ext: 37271
Email: salqassimi@iau.edu.sa
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit
Graduate Programs Admissions
Dalal Naif Al-Shammary
Ext: 37485
Email: dalshammary@iau.edu.sa
