In a Distinguished Strategic Partnership Between Jouf University and Al-Dawaa Medical Services Company (Al-Dawaa) President of Jouf University Inaugurates the “Virtual Pharmacy” at the College of Pharmacy
In a significant step that reflects Jouf University’s vision toward advancing health education programs and adopting global technologies in education and training, His Excellency Prof. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, President of Jouf University, inaugurated the Virtual Pharmacy Project at the College of Pharmacy. This initiative is part of a distinguished strategic collaboration between the university and Al-Dawaa Pharmacies, aiming to elevate educational practices and provide an advanced simulation environment that equips pharmacy students with real-world skills before entering professional practice.
The inauguration took place in the presence of the university vice presidents, the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, faculty members, and specialists in pharmacy education. Also attending were representatives of Al-Dawaa Pharmacies: Ms. Reema Al-Suraikhi (Head of Human Resource Development), Dr. Abdullah Al-Duhailan (Director of External Recruitment), and Dr. Maryam Al-Ali (External Recruitment Specialist). This project represents one of the most impactful initiatives of the college, directed toward enhancing educational outcomes and supporting the university’s strategic goals in empowering students and developing modern learning environments.
During the event, His Excellency viewed a presentation offering a comprehensive overview of the objectives, design concept, operating mechanisms, and competencies that the virtual pharmacy aims to strengthen among students. The presentation highlighted the project’s main components, including:
1. Realistic Simulation of Community and Hospital Pharmacies
• Training students on patient reception and consultation
• Reviewing realistic medical prescriptions
• Detecting potential medication errors
• Strengthening pharmaceutical communication skills
2. Interactive Learning Environment that Enhances Decision-Making
• Multiple clinical scenarios to assess drug interactions
• Electronic medication dispensing simulation system
• Virtual experiences that stimulate critical thinking
3. Linking Education to the Healthcare Sector
• Building an academic model integrated with the pharmaceutical profession
• Benefiting from the professional expertise of Al-Dawaa Pharmacies
• Enabling students to understand real-world market dynamics
The presentation clarified that the virtual pharmacy will provide an integrated learning experience that merges theoretical knowledge with practical and technical skills — ultimately boosting student readiness and competitiveness in the labor market.
During the inauguration, the University President emphasized that launching the Virtual Pharmacy aligns with the institution’s commitment to utilizing digital simulation tools to prepare students according to the highest international standards.
He stated: “Today, we are not merely providing a laboratory — we are opening a window into real professional practice, allowing our students to train within an environment that mirrors actual pharmacy settings accurately and professionally.”
His Excellency added that this initiative falls within the university’s strategic goals to enhance education quality, elevate output proficiency, and equip students with market-ready skills, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 in strengthening a knowledge-driven and innovative healthcare sector. “We believe that pharmacy is a profession built on real practice, and the virtual pharmacy stands as one of the most important bridges linking academic education with professional application.”
He also commended the fruitful partnership with Al-Dawaa Pharmacies, expressing appreciation to them as a strategic partner. He noted that such collaborations reinforce integration between the university and the private healthcare sector, enabling knowledge exchange and fostering graduates capable of contributing to national healthcare development.
Key National Outcomes of the Project
• Aligning university education with labor market requirements
• Enhancing clinical and professional competencies of future healthcare providers
• Promoting innovation in health education methodology
• Supporting digital transformation in training and academic development
• Improving the quality of future healthcare services through qualified national talent
This initiative also aligns with the Ministry of Education’s direction for adopting interactive simulation-based learning environments and future-oriented skill development for health majors.
Concluding the ceremony, the University President affirmed that the Virtual Pharmacy Project marks the beginning of a series of quality initiatives under development at the university — all contributing to its strategic pillars:
• Enhancing the quality of education and learning
• Improving campus life and learning environments
• Empowering students for professional success
• Promoting innovation and social responsibility
• Advancing digital transformation
He further noted that the university will continue supporting all health colleges to deliver advanced educational programs that produce highly-qualified national professionals capable of serving and advancing the Kingdom’s vital sectors.