The Deanship of Academic Development Concludes the “Cooperative Training” Forum to Enhance Students’ Readiness.

At the beginning of the second semester 2025-2026, the Deanship of Academic Development at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University organized, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Second Forum on Enhancing Students’ Capabilities through Teaching and Learning, held under the theme “Cooperative Training: Preparing for the Future.” The forum was conducted in person at the Deanship’s headquarters and was attended by His Excellency the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Almuhaideb, along with a wide range of academic leaders, faculty members, experts, specialists, and students.

The forum featured panel discussions, live lectures, and a visual presentation highlighting the achievements of the University’s colleges in cooperative training. Discussions focused on maximizing the impact of cooperative training programs and showcasing best educational practices that contribute to strengthening students’ capabilities and enhancing their readiness for the labor market.

The forum included five specialized sessions. The opening session, titled “Governance of Cooperative Training Procedures,” featured Dr. Hind Al-Zahrani (Cooperative Training Unit, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University), Eng. Al-Hassan Badhdah (Recruitment and Training Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals), and Dr. Yaan Allah Al-Qarni (Vice Dean for Academic Plans and Programs, Deanship of Academic Development).

The second session, “What Do Employers Expect from Cooperative Training?”, included Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Habeel (Customer Experience Manager, Kia Al-Jabr), Dr. Rania Al-Ghamdi (Senior Director of Systems and Planning, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare), and Dr. Mohammed Al-Adsani (Director of the Mentorship Unit, Deanship of Academic Development).

The third session, titled “Cooperative Training: From Experience to Excellence – Real Stories from the Field,” hosted Ms. Sumayah Al-Zamil (Co-Founder and CEO, Nuqta App), Mr. Mohammed Al-Sharyani (External Auditor, KPMG), Ms. Asayel Al-Otaibi (Sustainability Assistant, Ecorrex), and Dr. Nora Al-Subaie (Pharmacist, Al-Mouwasat Hospital).

The fourth session, “Cooperative Training as a Strategic Pathway to Professional Excellence,” featured Dr. Dana Al-Saleh (Director of the University’s Central Cooperative Training Unit), alongside cooperative training unit directors from the colleges and heads of cooperative training committees in academic departments.

The forum concluded with a closing session during which the organizing committee announced the key recommendations and honored the speakers and organizing team in recognition of their contributions.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Abdullah M. Almuhaideb, emphasized that cooperative training represents a vital pillar of modern higher education, as it bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application and contributes to preparing qualified national talent capable of meeting evolving labor market needs.

For his part, the Dean of Academic Development, Dr. Mohammed S. Alkathiri, stated that the forum reflects the University’s commitment to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program, by strengthening partnerships with professional sectors, adopting advanced educational models, and equipping students with future-ready capabilities that support sustainable national development.