Sulaiman Alrajhi University organised an introductory session on the Research Strategy 2026–2030, reviewing the strategy's directions, objectives and initiatives, which aim to strengthen the research system, raise the quality of research output and consolidate the University's standing in the research field.
The strategy comprises seven main initiatives: setting research priorities; financial support for research; strengthening the University's scientific presence; incentivising research excellence; establishing a logistical support centre for research; “Today's Student, Tomorrow's Researcher”; and strengthening research governance — in support of developing the research environment, enabling researchers and maximising the impact of scientific output.
During the session, Prof. Sulaiman Abdullah Al Sagaby, Assistant Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, reviewed the “Setting Research Priorities” initiative, which aims to direct research efforts towards priority and high-impact fields and to align them with the University's directions, and the “Strengthening Research Governance” initiative, which concerns the regulation of research practices and the development of mechanisms for monitoring performance and measuring output, thereby contributing to raising the quality and efficiency of research production.
For her part, Dr. Mashael Al-Qathami, Head of the Scientific Research Office, explained the financial support programmes included in the strategy and the mechanisms for enabling University staff to take part in conferences and scientific events locally and internationally, thereby strengthening the University's scientific presence, expanding its research collaboration network and improving the quality of its output.
Two members of the Scientific Research Office team, Dr. Abdulbasit Al-Asbali and Mr. Idris Sola, also reviewed the initiatives and programmes supporting the development of research skills. Dr. Al-Asbali addressed the “Incentivising Research Excellence” and “Establishing a Logistical Support Centre for Research” initiatives and the support they provide for excellence and innovation and in providing auxiliary research services.
Mr. Idris Sola reviewed the “Today's Student, Tomorrow's Researcher” initiative, which aims to develop students' research skills, involve them in research teams and turn their outstanding projects into published scientific papers.
The session concluded with the honouring of Dr. Eman Ibrahim Ahmed, Assistant Vice Dean of the College of Medicine, in recognition of her receipt of the international UKABCS capacity-building grant, a competitive three-year grant involving 115 students in 21 research teams from the College of Medicine, the College of Applied Sciences and the College of Nursing — an achievement that represents an early model for implementing the targets of the Research Strategy 2026–2030.
