King Faisal University continued to consolidate its scientific and research position on the international map, achieving a new qualitative achievement by maintaining its position among the top 100 universities worldwide in the number of US patents for 2025. This prestigious ranking issued by the US National Academy of Inventors confirms the university's commitment to global innovation standards.

World Ranking Details

According to the report, the university ranked 77th globally, having registered 49 new patents granted to it last year by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This office is one of the most rigorous and reliable authorities in documenting innovations worldwide, adding value to this achievement and reflecting the quality of the university's research output.

From laboratory to market: A strategy for economic transformation

Commenting on this achievement, the university's Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Laili, explained that this ranking is not merely a number, but rather a reflection of a qualitative and deliberate accumulation of research and innovation within the university. Dr. Al-Laili emphasized that the university has entered a new phase focused primarily on maximizing the economic and scientific value of these patents.

He noted that the university is currently developing advanced regulatory and investment frameworks aimed at accelerating the transition of research outputs from theoretical laboratory work to market realities and practical application. This approach not only serves the community but also enhances the university's financial sustainability by diversifying its sources of self-generated income.

Establishing startups and supporting the knowledge economy

In a practical step that translates this strategy into action, the university recently announced the initiation of procedures to establish five startups based on a number of patents registered in its name. This bold move aims to enable national technologies to access direct industrial and investment applications, creating new job opportunities and supporting local content.

Innovation in light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030

This achievement is particularly significant when viewed within the context of the scientific and economic advancements taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. King Faisal University, through this approach, is directly contributing to the realization of the goals of Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on the transition to a knowledge-based economy. Increasing the number of patents and converting them into commercial products is a key indicator in the Human Capital Development Program and the National Strategy for Research, Development, and Innovation. This enhances the Kingdom's competitiveness in global innovation indices and reinforces the role of universities as engines of sustainable economic growth.

The Saudi Ministry of Health announced a set of preventive health measures and requirements for those wishing to perform the Hajj pilgrimage from within the Kingdom for the 1447 AH season, as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the pilgrims, and to enable them to perform the rituals in an atmosphere of peace and security.

Details of mandatory and recommended vaccines

In its announcement, the Ministry emphasized the importance of completing necessary immunizations, specifying the meningococcal (meningococcal) vaccine as a mandatory requirement for all those wishing to perform Hajj, as well as for healthcare professionals participating in the pilgrimage season. The Ministry clarified that this requirement applies to individuals who have not received the vaccine within the past five years, noting that immunization status can be easily verified through the "Sehhaty" app.

In addition to the mandatory vaccination, the ministry emphasized the importance of receiving the seasonal flu vaccine , stipulating that it must have been administered no earlier than September 1st of last year to ensure its effectiveness during the season. The ministry also strongly recommended receiving COVID-19 vaccine , provided that the dose was administered no earlier than January 1st, 2025.

The importance of immunization in mass gathering medicine

These stringent measures stem from Saudi Arabia's extensive experience in mass gathering medicine, given that the Hajj season is one of the world's largest annual human gatherings. These vaccinations are of paramount importance in bolstering community immunity within the holy sites, as proactive immunization helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases and epidemics that can be transmitted through droplets or contact in crowded areas.

The Ministry of Health is working according to a proactive preventive strategy aimed at reducing the rates of respiratory and infectious diseases, which positively impacts the ability of pilgrims to complete their rituals without health obstacles, and reduces the pressure on field health facilities during the season.

Digital transformation and streamlining procedures

To facilitate matters for citizens and residents, the Ministry called on those intending to perform Hajj and healthcare professionals to book vaccination appointments through the "Sehhaty" digital application and proceed to the "Adult Vaccination Clinic." This procedure is part of the digital transformation of the Saudi healthcare sector, which aims to automate health services and facilitate access to them, ensuring the accuracy of health data and the speed of procedures, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals of enhancing public health and quality of life.

As part of its ongoing efforts to regulate the engineering labor market and ensure the quality of construction outputs, the Saudi Council of Engineers announced the results of an intensive inspection tour it conducted in the Jazan region, which resulted in the detection of serious violations in one of the establishments operating in the contracting sector.

Details of the seizure and legal procedures

An inspection revealed that a contracting company working on a major project in the region was employing 55 individuals performing engineering and technical work without obtaining the necessary professional accreditation from the relevant authority. This constitutes a clear violation of the Engineering Professions Practice Law and its implementing regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The authority confirmed that it has taken immediate legal action, referring the violating establishment and individuals to the Public Prosecution, according to its jurisdiction, to complete the investigations and apply deterrent legal penalties, stressing that its monitoring tours are ongoing and will include all regions of the Kingdom without exception to ensure full compliance.

The #ApprovedOrNot campaign and advance warnings

These measures were not implemented suddenly, but were preceded by intensive awareness and warning campaigns by the Authority. The Authority explained that it had sent awareness text messages to the phone numbers of unaccredited practitioners registered on the "Absher" platform, as part of the national campaign #AccreditedOrNot. These messages aimed to urge practitioners to quickly rectify their status and complete the requirements for professional accreditation before punitive measures were applied.

The importance of professional accreditation and its impact on the sector

The Saudi Council of Engineers' emphasis on professional accreditation stems from its pivotal role in protecting society and the national economy. Professional accreditation is not merely an administrative procedure; it is a safeguard that ensures those overseeing engineering projects possess genuine and documented academic qualifications and practical experience.

The importance of this procedure is highlighted in the following points:

• Ensuring public safety: Reducing engineering errors that may result from non-professionals, which may lead to construction disasters that threaten lives and property.
• Improving project quality: The presence of certified engineers contributes to raising the efficiency of implementation and ensuring that projects comply with the Saudi building code and international standards.
• Combating fake certificates: The accreditation system works to verify certificates and expose forgers and intruders into the profession, thus enhancing the integrity of the sector.

The context of urban development and Vision 2030

These regulatory campaigns coincide with the comprehensive urban development the Kingdom is witnessing under Vision 2030, where mega-projects are being implemented that demand the highest levels of efficiency and professionalism. Therefore, purging the market of unauthorized and unlicensed entities is a fundamental pillar for the success and sustainability of these projects, thus enhancing the Kingdom's position as an attractive investment environment that adheres to the highest standards of quality and occupational safety.