منطقة الجوف-جامعة الجوف

Prof. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, President of Jouf University, received Dr. Hammoud bin Ali Al-Qarni, Dean of the College of Dentistry, along with the College’s vice deans. During the meeting, they reviewed the College’s annual report for the 1447 AH academic year, which documented notable achievements and performance indicators across teaching and learning quality, scientific research and innovation, clinical services, academic accreditation, partnerships, and social responsibility, in addition to the College’s future objectives and aspirations.

The University President reviewed the development of the College’s academic system, which offers the Bachelor of Dental Surgery program, the Master of Science in Prosthodontics, and the Saudi Board in Prosthodontics within an integrated academic and clinical environment. The report also highlighted the College’s achievement of five national and international academic and institutional accreditations covering its programs and Dental Teaching Center, reflecting its commitment to quality standards and academic and professional excellence.

The report revealed significant improvement in graduates’ performance on the Saudi Dental Licensure Examination (SDLE), with the average score rising from 69% to 76%, while the on-time graduation rate reached 81%. Student satisfaction with the educational experience increased to 85%, and faculty satisfaction with the academic environment reached 87%, reflecting the effectiveness of the College’s development initiatives and the quality of its teaching and training environment.

In scientific research and innovation, the College produced more than 100 published research papers, while the number of publications in top-quartile (Q1) journals increased from 13 to 36. Scientific citations rose to 4,523. The report also documented four patents and 22 research, scientific, and institutional awards received by the College, its faculty members, and students, in addition to its placement in the 401–500 band in the Times Higher Education global rankings.

The meeting also reviewed the performance of the College of Dentistry’s Clinical Center, which provided treatment and educational services to more than 21,000 patients during 2025 and received approximately 3,500 patients during the first half of 2026. Services were delivered across a wide range of specialties, including diagnosis, restorative dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, dental implants, oral surgery, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry. The Center also achieved comprehensive digital transformation through the implementation of an electronic medical record system across all clinics, enhancing the quality of care, patient safety, and the efficiency of clinical and educational operations.

In community service, the College implemented 97 awareness, treatment, and consultation initiatives and activities, benefiting more than 23,000 people. A total of 435 male and female volunteers contributed 5,275 volunteer hours. The mobile dental clinic initiative, “Pure Smile,” emerged as a leading model for extending healthcare services directly to the community, benefiting more than 16,000 people through awareness programs, examinations, consultations, and direct treatment services.

The University President was also briefed on the College’s efforts to expand its academic and professional partnerships, including local agreements supporting training, scientific research, and community service, as well as ongoing efforts to develop international partnerships with leading global universities. The College has also activated specialized programs, including the Clinical Attachment Program, to broaden opportunities for advanced training, knowledge exchange, and the development of self-generated resources.

Prof. Al-Shaya emphasized that the College of Dentistry represents a model of a healthcare college in which high-quality education, clinical practice, scientific research, and community service are fully integrated. He noted that the College’s impact extends beyond preparing highly qualified dentists to providing preventive and therapeutic care, promoting health awareness, contributing to improved quality of life, and addressing the healthcare needs of the Al-Jouf region.

He stressed the importance of continuing to enhance students’ and graduates’ competencies, further improving performance in professional licensure examinations, expanding postgraduate and specialized training programs, and supporting research and innovation in oral and dental health. He also emphasized the need to further develop the College’s clinical and technological infrastructure and leverage digital transformation to improve both the patient experience and the quality of education and clinical training.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the University President commended the efforts of the Dean, vice deans, faculty members, staff, and students, as well as the academic, research, healthcare, and community achievements accomplished by the College. He reaffirmed the University’s continued support for the College in strengthening the competitiveness of its programs, expanding its healthcare and developmental impact, and preparing highly qualified national professionals who can contribute effectively to advancing the healthcare system and serving the Kingdom.