منطقة الجوف-جامعة الجوف

Introduction

Saudi Arabia’s agricultural development over the last three decades has been astonishing. Large areas of desert have been turned into agricultural fields – a major accomplishment in a country that receives an average of about four inches of rain a year, one of the lowest rates in the world.

Today, Saudi Arabia exports wheat, dates, dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables and flowers to markets around the world. Dates, once a staple of the Saudi diet, are now mainly grown for global humanitarian aid.

The Ministry of Agriculture is primarily responsible for agricultural policy. Other government agencies include the Saudi Arabian Agricultural Bank (SAAB), which disburses subsidies and grants interest-free loans; and the Grain Silos and Flourmills Organization, which purchases and stores wheat, constructs flourmills, and produces animal feed. The government also offers land distribution and reclamation programs and funds research projects.

The private sector has played a major role in the Kingdom’s agricultural development. This is mostly due to government programs that offered long-term, interest-free loans, technical and support services, and incentives such as free seeds and fertilizers, low-cost water, fuel and electricity, and duty-free imports of raw materials and machinery.

In addition, universities are playing a vital role with students and the public community. Lectures, seminars, workshops and public awareness events with the community are an unstoppable strategy for Jouf university to spread the concept of protecting our land for all the small and old.

Besides that, Jouf university overcomes many volunteering programs with the community which seek to improve the environment by encouraging that supports and fosters a sustainable, modern, effective and valued life.

Discussed its impact on public health: The university holds a seminar on the pollution of agricultural products
The University organized a scientific symposium on the pollution of agricultural products and its impact on public health, and the mechanisms of eliminating this dangerous phenomenon, where a number of specialized university professors delivered a set of scientific papers, which explain what pollution is and its extensions on human health.

The seminar began with a speech delivered by the supervisor of the Environmental Protection Unit from pollution at the university, Dr. Abdullah Al-Hajoj, in which he addressed the steps of preparing for the symposium and that it came in reaction to the recent pollution of some agricultural products, and the prevention of their circulation in the region, stressing the role of the university in serving the community and interacting with its issues and developments.

Then the Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Bader Al-Zaree, gave a speech on behalf of His Excellency the Rector of the University in which he stressed the importance of integration between the concerned authorities in addressing the issues affecting society, linking this to the vision of the Kingdom 2030, where it emphasizes the aspect of prevention and its role in mitigating health and economic damage, where institutions work to anticipate dangerous phenomena before they occur and cause diseases and epidemics, which may cost man his health and cost the state exorbitant budgets to address those epidemics, God forbid, and Dr. Al-Zaree stressed on The University strives to achieve the goals of leadership through its community-oriented scientific programs.

The scientific participations followed, which began with a paper entitled "Food Safety of Agricultural Products", during which the Associate Professor at the Faculty of Science, Dr. Ben Omar Sheb, explained the concept of food safety and its physical, chemical and biological risks, and what microbial contamination is, its sources and ways of transmission, and Dr. Semi also gave a set of tips to farmers from the audience on how to produce safe vegetables and fruits, and other advice to consumers on the prevention of the risks of foodborne diseases.

After that, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine Dr. Ahmed Taha delivered a paper in which he introduced the different types of microbes and their general characteristics, methods of identifying cases of bacterial food poisoning, and reviewed how bacterial infection is transmitted from various foods, and the distinctive pathological picture of each bacteria.

Then the professor at the Faculty of Science, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghorab, delivered a paper in which he highlighted the nature of the chemical risks involved in food, indicating the benefits of pesticides, and their harms, and reviewed the reasons that push for the use of more pesticides, and the possible limits for this according to the standards of international organizations.

In the fourth and final paper, Dr. Al-Fatih Al-Jaafari from the Faculty of Medicine addressed what pathogenic parasites are transmitted by pollution of the agricultural environment and its products, the forms of their transmission and the role of the human element (farms) in preventing or allowing the transmission of infection, reviewing models of parasitic diseases transmitted through agricultural environments.

The symposium recommended the importance of strengthening the concept of food integrity, ensuring that the necessary actions are taken to ensure this, linking human, animal and plant health, raising community awareness of the ways of food contamination and symptoms of foodborne diseases, educating farmers about the controlled use of pesticides, recommending the prohibition of the use of organochlorine pesticides in agricultural crops, the launch of legislation to ensure protection from misuse of pesticides, the development of programmes to track pesticide residues in food, and the formation of a team from the university and relevant institutions to carry out To move quickly when any case of contamination occurs, to study the case and deal with it according to scientific and legal grounds.

The seminar, which was organized by the Environmental Protection Unit from Pollution at the University, affiliated to the College of Science, at the King Abdullah Cultural Center in Sakaka, witnessed a series of interventions and questions, raised by the attendees from farmers and employees of the relevant government agencies.

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Invitation to the farmers of the region and related authorities: Al-Jawf University holds a seminar on the pollution of agricultural products
On the first Wednesday of Safar 1440 AH at half past nine in the morning at the King Abdullah Cultural Center, Al-Jawf University will hold a seminar on the pollution of agricultural products and their impact on public health, inviting all relevant institutions and farmers of the region to attend, interact, discuss and study the problem.

The symposium comes within the framework of the university's scientific and community mission, and in reaction to the current events on the contamination of agricultural products in the Al-Jawf region, where the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture prevented the circulation of parsley after collecting samples of it and samples of water used in irrigation and testing them in the ministry's laboratories and confirming the fact that they are contaminated with pesticide residues and colon bacteria, and the circulation of the product was prohibited.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Hajoj, supervisor of the Environmental Protection from Pollution Unit, said that the symposium aims at scientific cooperation between the university and the centers specialized in assessing the percentage of pollution in food products, benefiting from the results of scientific research as outputs of the university towards solving the problems of the local community, exchanging experiences and presenting the foundations of scientific cooperation between all disciplines in the region, as well as the symposium seeks to develop a measurable strategy towards eliminating the causes of pollution in the products of hollow farms, and educating farmers about the problem and raising their awareness of its causes and treatment methods.

Dr. Al-Hajoj added that the themes of the symposium will include food safety of agricultural products, microbiotamine contamination of agricultural and food products, contamination by pathogenic parasites through contamination of the agricultural environment, as well as chemical contamination of food.

He also mentioned that the university administration has formed a committee to study, evaluate and discuss ways to treat this problem, and the committee was headed by the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Prof. Dr. Najm Al-Hussaini and the membership of many faculty members who will present a number of scientific papers during the seminar.

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Faisal bin Nawaf honors Al-Jawf University and briefs on its pavilion at the International Olive Festival in Al-Jawf
Al Jawf University was honored to honor HRH Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al Jawf Region, for her outstanding efforts at the International Olive Festival during the opening ceremony of the 12th edition.

His Highness was briefed on the university's pavilion at the festival, where he was received by His Excellency the Rector Prof. Dr. Ismail Al-Bishri upon his arrival at the headquarters, thanking His Highness for his interest in the university and showing him features of its achievements, the latest of which was receiving the Award for Excellence in E-Learning, where it came among the top five universities in the Kingdom.

He reviewed all the corners of the colleges and deanships participating in the pavilion, and listened to an explanation from the participating students about the contents of the exhibition and the services it provides to guests and visitors to the Olive Festival.

The university's participation this year is distinguished by the level of interaction and contribution to specialized events through a package of lectures in which scientists from Spain and Italy, as well as specialists from the university, speak in workshops, lectures and seminars on various topics of interest, such as talking about the national economic value enjoyed by the olives of the hollow, the latest means used in the reuse of olive waste, the new in computer applications in the field of olive cultivation, the optimal ways in how to choose olive seedlings, and the means of raising the production of olive production. Olive, oil and ways to improve this production, as well as talk about the benefits and therapeutic uses of olive oil.

The university's participation is also highlighted through the pavilion it has held in the middle of the government agencies exhibition, where many of the university's faculties participate, such as the College of Engineering, whose students present their most prominent projects in front of visitors to the festival, and students of the faculties of medicine, pharmacy, applied medical sciences and dentistry who provide the necessary examination and health awareness services to visitors, in addition to the College of Science, the College of Computer Science and Information Systems, the student clubs of the Deanship of Student Affairs as well as the Deanship of Library Affairs, whose role in displaying the university's various publications is highlighted, where it constitutes These publications are a ground for researchers of various studies and researches, as well as a corner dedicated to the presentation of visual materials dealing with the achievements of the university in all fields.

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Al-Jouf University launches the afforestation campaign of the university city by planting 1200 seedlings in cooperation with the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture
Under the patronage of the President of Al-Jawf University, Prof. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, the afforestation campaign of the University City was launched to plant (1200) seedlings of cypress, talh, sidr and didonia trees as a first stage, with the participation of the Director of the Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the region Eng. Abdullah Al-Ahmari.

The supervisor of the Deanship of Community Service and Continuing Education, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Ali, explained that the campaign was launched in its first phase and will continue during the next two weeks, so that the seedlings are distributed within the university city in proportion to the sites and type of trees, adding that the student clubs will be involved in it to develop volunteer work and achieve the objectives of the campaign scientifically and socially, and will continue with the participation of the Mobile Club of the Deanship of Student Affairs, the Volunteer Work Club, and the Environmental Protection Unit from Pollution.

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Agricultural and Environmental Education Initiative for Farmers and Those Interested in Al-Jawf Region
The President of Al-Jouf University, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Al-Shaya, inaugurated the university's initiative for agricultural, environmental and food education, where it aims to implement training, awareness and educational programs for farmers and those interested in agriculture, the environment and food in Al-Jouf, which is implemented by the Deanship of Community Service and Continuing Education and a number of sectors of the university.

During his meeting with the Director of the Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Al-Jawf, Eng. Abdullah Al-Ahmari, the President of the University explained that this initiative comes within the social responsibility programs adopted by the University and is keen to continue, especially as it serves the category of farmers, investors and workers in the agricultural field that characterizes the Al-Jawf region and achieves advanced figures at the level of the Kingdom, stressing his personal keenness to harness all the university's human and research potential to serve the community in all available fields.

The initiative stems from the importance of improving the quality of agricultural products and ensuring the achievement of food security, which is in the development of the national economy, which contributes to the achievement of community development in the Kingdom, especially in the Al-Jawf region, where the university, represented by the Deanship of Community Service and in cooperation with the concerned colleges (Faculty of Science, College of Science and Arts in Qurayyat, College of Business, College of Computer and Information Sciences, as well as the Olive Research Center and the Environmental Protection Unit from Pollution), seeks to prepare and implement various programs that serve the agricultural and food field in the region, and target those interested in the The field and its workers in a scientific and applied manner; to improve agricultural products and work to market and manage them in the best possible way; to contribute to the achievement of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in terms of food security, agricultural self-sufficiency and reducing food waste in general.

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During its first session of the current academic year: The University Council approves the establishment of a unit to protect the environment from pollution
In its first session of the current academic year 38/39 AH, the University Council approved the establishment of a unit specialized in protecting the environment from pollution, through a set of programs and works of competence, and the Council also approved the manual of ethics of the teaching profession, as well as approved the admission numbers for the General Diploma in Education program.

The session, which began with a speech during which His Excellency the Rector of the University and Chairman of the Council, Dr. Ismail bin Mohammed Al-Bishri, congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his Crown Prince Al-Amin, may Allah protect them, on the occasion of the 87th National Day, calling on the Almighty Allah to perpetuate the blessing of security and prosperity on the country.

The session, which was attended by the Secretary of the Council of Higher Education, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Saleh via live television broadcast, and the members of the Council from the deans of colleges and supporting deanships, was also known to discuss a number of topics, such as the termination of the mission of a group of scholarship holders, and to review the lists of graduates and their specializations, rates and general estimates for the second and summer semester of the academic year 37/38 AH, in addition to other topics included in the agenda.

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Prof. Dr. Mohammed Alshaya met with the President and members of the Sidr Al-Jawf Association, appreciating their contribution to the afforestation of the university city
The President of Al-Jawf University, Prof. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, was briefed on the programs of the Sidr Al-Jawf Voluntary Association and its objectives in the field of afforestation in general, planting wild trees of all kinds, and protecting the environment in the region.

The Association provided 1,000 seedlings of Sidr for cultivation in the University City in line with the University's directions and its recent announcement of the afforestation initiative, and to achieve the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

This came during the reception of Dr. Al-Shaya, President of the Sidr Al-Jawf Voluntary Association, Mr. Sultan Al-Duhailis and a number of members of the Association, thanking them for their contribution to the afforestation of the University City, and expressing the readiness of the University to support every community work aimed at developing the region and contributing to its development in accordance with the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdul Aziz, Amir of the region.

Dr. Alshaya commended the efforts exerted by the Association in spreading the culture of afforestation among all segments of society, involving citizens in planting trees and raising awareness of their environmental and health role.

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Al-Jouf University gave educational lectures in interaction with the agricultural extension caravan in the region
The Deanship of Community Service and Continuing Education at Al-Jawf University organized a number of distance educational lectures on agriculture and the environment within the framework of the agricultural, environmental and food education initiative for farmers and those interested in the region for the year 1442 AH in interaction with the agricultural extension caravan in the region organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

The first lecture entitled "Better Care for Olive Trees" was presented by Dr. Bassam Al-Oweish, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science and Director of the Olive Research Center at the University, in which he addressed the definition of olive trees and their varieties, the level of maturity, the percentage of oil and pruning to reduce the height of the trees, in addition to the impact of the use of bedspreads on the percentage of the presence of oil produced, explaining that olive trees have a number of advantages that make them one of the most important international destinations for investment in olives because of their high quality thanks to the geographical location of the region.

The second lecture presented by Dr. Salwa Gramron, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science and Arts in Qurayyat entitled (Recycling of Agricultural Waste and its Positive Environmental Impact) addressed a number of topics, including the definition of recycling and sustainable development, agricultural waste and its types, recycling of agricultural waste and ways to benefit from it and the impact of recycling agricultural waste on the environment.

She explained that agricultural waste is one of the most dangerous types of waste, especially in the countryside because it is disposed of by incineration, which contributes to raising the rates of environmental pollution and fires, which is dangerous to public health, in addition to being a source of inconvenience due to the unpleasant odors that result from the burning process, in addition to the waste of organic sources that can be converted into organic fertilizer, stressing the importance of safe disposal of agricultural waste through official methods where it can be used in the Production of environmentally friendly, safe and high-value products.

Dr. Gramon warned against the storage of agricultural waste on top of homes, especially in the countryside, which could cause real environmental disasters such as fires and collapses in homes.

The third lecture presented by Dr. Suhair Al-Gharbi, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science and Arts in Qurayyat, entitled (Plastic Packaging and Food Safety), during which she addressed the types of plastics and basic materials that enter into their manufacture and the most important advantages of plastic materials represented in the low cost of their production, light weight, resistance to corrosion and rust, as well as ease of formation and insulation for heat and electricity, as well as the transparency of some types of plastic materials and the resistance of some of them to the influence of chemicals in addition to their ability to insulate moisture and surpass the packages made of paper and cloth.

Dr. Al-Gharbi also touched on the optimal use of plastic and its alternatives, offering several health tips and warnings to consumers to prevent plastic damage.

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