منطقة الجوف-جامعة الجوف

Jouf University, represented by the Intellectual Awareness Department, organized a workshop entitled “Patterns of Extremism and Deviation in the University Environment: Monitoring Indicators and Treatment Mechanisms.” The workshop was presented by Professor Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Omar Asiri, Professor of Sociology at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, and a specialist in social studies, intellectual security, extremism, and terrorism issues. The workshop comes as part of the university’s efforts to promote intellectual awareness, reinforce the values of moderation and balance, and build a safe, aware, and stimulating university environment that supports learning and creativity, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in building a vibrant society, responsible citizens, and educational institutions capable of contributing to the protection of thought, human development, and quality of life.

The workshop reflects Jouf University’s commitment to fulfilling its national, educational, and community roles by adopting programs and initiatives that contribute to developing awareness, promoting positive behavior, and strengthening the intellectual resilience of students and university staff. This stems from the university’s role as a knowledge-based and educational environment that shapes youth awareness, directs their energies toward development and progress, and protects them from manifestations of intellectual, behavioral, social, and digital extremism and deviation.

The workshop addressed a number of important scientific and professional themes. The speaker reviewed the concepts of extremism and deviation, distinguished between their different patterns and manifestations, and discussed methods for measuring the level of extremism and deviation in the university environment. He also highlighted early indicators that may appear in behavior, discourse, or academic, social, and digital practices, enabling university institutions to address them through a scientific methodology based on understanding, analysis, prevention, and treatment.

The workshop also discussed patterns of extremism and deviation in academic standards, professional and academic deviations, and related practices that may affect the quality of the educational environment. It further addressed spiritual deviations among university youth, social deviations among students, negative behaviors found in youth environments, including digital, cultural, and academic deviations, and the mechanisms for addressing them with awareness and responsibility.

The workshop emphasized the importance of integration among educational, instructional, advisory, and intellectual aspects within the university environment. It also stressed the need to equip specialists and relevant personnel with tools for early monitoring, objective analysis, and appropriate professional intervention, away from general judgments or non-institutional approaches. This enhances the university’s ability to build a preventive system that protects students, supports the stability of the academic environment, and improves the quality of university life.

In this context, the workshop highlighted that dealing with issues of extremism and deviation is not limited to post-incident treatment, but begins with building awareness, reinforcing values, promoting dialogue, developing critical thinking skills, and expanding opportunities for positive participation. This enables students to better distinguish between sound and deviant thought and to become more aware of their responsibilities toward themselves, their university, their society, and their nation.

On this occasion, the President of Jouf University, Professor Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, affirmed that organizing this workshop falls within the university’s strategic directions to build a safe and stimulating university environment, enhance intellectual awareness among students and staff, and reinforce the values of moderation, belonging, and national responsibility. He noted that universities are among the most influential environments in shaping youth awareness, developing their capabilities, and building balanced personalities intellectually, cognitively, and behaviorally.

His Excellency added: “Issues of awareness and intellectual security represent an institutional priority that intersects with the university’s strategic objectives in improving the quality of university life, developing the educational environment, enhancing social responsibility, and increasing the efficiency of programs and initiatives directed toward students and staff. Based on this, Jouf University is keen to implement quality programs that contribute to prevention, monitoring, and treatment, and that support the establishment of a safe educational environment founded on values, knowledge, belonging, and moderation.”

The University President indicated that these efforts are aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which places people at the center and purpose of development, and emphasizes the importance of building a vibrant society whose members possess firm values, responsible awareness, and the ability to participate effectively in national development. He explained that the university translates these objectives through initiatives and programs that enhance awareness, support positive behavior, and protect students from negative intellectual and behavioral influences.

The importance of this workshop lies in the fact that it addresses an issue closely connected to the core of the university’s mission. A university is not merely an educational institution; it is a space for building thought, shaping awareness, forming attitudes, developing values, and preparing qualified individuals capable of serving the nation and contributing to its future. Accordingly, enhancing intellectual awareness within the university environment represents an investment in people, protection for society, and support for sustainable development.

The workshop also seeks to raise institutional readiness in dealing with various intellectual and behavioral indicators by strengthening knowledge of basic concepts, identifying forms of deviation and extremism, and understanding the social, cultural, and digital contexts that may contribute to the emergence of certain deviant behaviors or ideas. It also aims to develop monitoring and treatment mechanisms through a scientific and professional approach that preserves the balance and stability of the university environment.

The workshop comes as an extension of the efforts of Jouf University’s Intellectual Awareness Department in implementing programs and initiatives that aim to promote intellectual security, support the values of good citizenship, develop national consciousness, and reinforce the concepts of dialogue, tolerance, and moderation. It also supports integration with the university’s various units, colleges, and deanships in building a responsible and aware university environment.

Through this workshop, Jouf University affirms its commitment to continuing the development of preventive and awareness programs, strengthening partnerships among relevant university sectors, and raising the level of awareness among students and staff regarding contemporary intellectual and behavioral issues. These efforts contribute to creating a sustainable impact that extends beyond the training venue to daily practice inside and outside the university.