In an innovative initiative to enhance international cooperation, esteemed faculty from Alfaisal University were officially invited by the Embassy of Canada in Riyadh to engage in a strategic dialogue with leading Canadian institutions. This engagement aims to deepen the collaborative ties between Canada and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across key sectors including education, healthcare, and technology.
The Alfaisal University delegation includes several distinguished figures:”Dr. Baraa Alghalyini, Vice Dean of the College of Medicine, known for her strategic and minimalist approach to primary care, public health, and education; Prof. Paul Ganguly, Head of Assessment and Professor of Anatomy; Dr. Abdul Rehman Zia Zaidi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Family and Community Medicine; and Dr. Noor Alsaadoun, Director of the Health Metaverse Lab and Alfa-Hi Biotech Incubator.
On May 5th, 2024, this prestigious meeting at the Canadian Embassy commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Jean-Philippe Linteau, the Ambassador of Canada to Saudi Arabia. Following the introduction, a series of presentations covered a broad range of topics crucial to nurturing bilateral relations from various Canadian and Saudi academic leaders and healthcare professionals. The event also highlighted the KSA-Canada Education Partnership Forum, providing a platform for potential collaborative projects and partnerships. These include an in-depth briefing on the KSA’s business culture by Dr. Fahad Al Homoudi and Dr. Noor Alsaadoun, and insights into Canadian educational models by Mr. Sean Kennedy, President of Niagara College.
Highlighting the forum was also a joint presentation on enhancing bilateral cooperation in higher education and medical training by Dr. Andrew Padmos alongside Dr. Baraa Alghalyini. Their discussion indicated the significant opportunities for collaboration in advancing medical education and healthcare practices between the two countries. In addition, Dr. Baraa Alghalyini shed light on how Vision 2030 is the main drive behind Saudi Women’s Empowerment across the board, especially in the healthcare sector.
The forum also included a Q&A session, providing a platform for open dialogue between the Canadian delegates and representatives from Saudi Arabia. This session aimed to explore innovative collaboration opportunities and establish a framework for ongoing partnerships.
The event was a key part of the KSA-Canada Education Partnership Forum running from May 5-7, 2024, which included representatives from prestigious Canadian institutions like the University of Toronto, McMaster University, University of Ottawa, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, among others. These institutions are well-regarded for their contributions to international education and research, making them ideal partners for Alfaisal University’s forward-thinking initiatives.
This collaboration marked a significant milestone in the shared aspirations of both nations to promote global education, enhance healthcare outcomes, and drive technological innovation through international cooperation. The expectations surrounding the forum’s results were high, given their potential to establish a foundation for numerous valuable projects and initiatives. These efforts are anticipated to not only benefit both nations but also to establish new benchmarks for future collaborations in international academia and healthcare.
