منطقة الجوف-جامعة الجوف

His Excellency the President of Jouf University, Prof. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, received the Dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Waleed bin Saad Al-Husaini, along with the Vice Deans. During the meeting, His Excellency reviewed the Deanship’s annual report for the 1447 AH academic year, which highlighted significant achievements and advanced indicators across graduate studies, scientific research, innovation, researcher support, and the development of the University’s academic and research environment.

During the meeting, the University President was briefed on the Deanship’s key performance results, development plans and programs, and initiatives implemented to support scientific output, encourage publication in prestigious international journals, fund research projects, empower graduate students, and strengthen the University’s presence at scientific and innovation events locally and internationally.

The report highlighted the qualitative development of the University’s graduate studies system through the introduction of seven new programs, including the first two doctoral programs in the University’s history. It also showed that 90% of programs eligible for accreditation had obtained academic accreditation, while the number of students enrolled in graduate programs increased by 265% compared with the previous year.

The presentation also reviewed the Deanship’s efforts to support and fund research projects. A total of 750 research projects received support through several funding programs targeting faculty members and early-career researchers. These projects were aligned with the national research, development, and innovation priorities in human health, environmental sustainability and basic needs, energy and industry, and the economies of the future.

The report demonstrated the University’s growing research presence in international databases, with 2,221 scientific papers published in Scopus-indexed journals and 2,098 papers indexed in the Web of Science. The University’s research also recorded 54,741 citations, reflecting the quality of its scientific output and its expanding impact within the international research community.

In terms of publication quality, 493 papers were published in journals ranked among the world’s top 10%, while the University recorded an average research output of 2.37 papers per faculty member. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the research support and incentive programs adopted by the University.

Innovation indicators also recorded growth exceeding 200% in patents. A total of 23 innovations and patents were granted, while eight new applications were filed across various scientific fields, including health, energy, and the environment. These achievements support the University’s efforts to transform knowledge and research outcomes into practical applications and products with economic and developmental impact.

The report also highlighted several research awards and achievements, most notably Jouf University’s receipt of the 2025 Zairi International Award for Excellence in Higher Education in the “Research Impact” category, in recognition of its efforts to support scientific research and enhance the quality and impact of its outcomes locally and internationally.

His Excellency the University President, Prof. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, affirmed that the indicators and achievements reflect the significant development of the University’s graduate studies and scientific research system. He noted that these accomplishments demonstrate the capabilities of the University’s researchers and the integration of efforts among the Deanship, colleges, and research centers in achieving the University’s objectives.

His Excellency stated:

“Jouf University continues to build an integrated research and development ecosystem in which scientific research serves as a means of producing knowledge, developing solutions, serving society, and supporting national development. The growth achieved in academic programs, research projects, scientific publications, and innovation provides a strong foundation for advancing toward a more ambitious and impactful phase.”

He added that the University places considerable importance on directing research toward national priorities and the needs of the Al-Jouf region. It also seeks to strengthen applied research and partnerships with government, private-sector, and industrial organizations, contributing to the transformation of scientific outputs into solutions, innovations, and products suitable for practical application and investment.

The University President emphasized the importance of continuing to enhance the quality of graduate programs, expanding the University’s presence in high-impact scientific journals, attracting external research funding, and broadening international partnerships with prestigious universities and research centers. He also highlighted the importance of empowering students and early-career researchers and developing their research and innovation capabilities.

For his part, the Dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Waleed bin Saad Al-Husaini, explained that the annual report documented the outcomes of a full year of integrated institutional work. He noted that the achievements reflected the strong support provided by the University President to the graduate studies and scientific research system, as well as His Excellency’s continued follow-up on the development of its programs, improvement of its services, and enhancement of its operational efficiency.

Dr. Al-Husaini stated:

“During the 1447 AH academic year, the Deanship worked to develop graduate programs, expand admission opportunities, support researchers and graduate students, and launch specialized funding programs and qualitative research initiatives. It also enhanced governance, procedures, and services in a manner that improves the quality of scientific outputs and strengthens the University’s competitiveness locally and internationally.”

He added that the next phase would involve continued efforts to increase the percentage of accredited graduate programs, enhance the quality of scientific publications, strengthen research partnerships with local and international institutions and the industrial sector, support innovation and patents, and harness scientific research to address development challenges and improve quality of life.

At the conclusion of the meeting, His Excellency the University President commended the efforts of the Dean, Vice Deans, Deanship staff, and research centers, whose work contributed to achieving these indicators. He directed them to continue development efforts, strengthen integration between the Deanship and the University’s colleges, and establish ambitious and measurable future targets that reinforce Jouf University’s position as an effective academic and research institution contributing to the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030.