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Strengthening Global Medical Collaboration: Alfaisal University Hosts University of Ottawa Delegation Reunion Reception
Alfaisal University proudly hosted the University of Ottawa Delegation Alumni Reception, bringing together over 50 distinguished guests, including consultants, specialists, healthcare leaders, and faculty members from various Saudi hospitals and institutions. This event served as a reunion for alumni and also laid the groundwork for future academic collaborations between Alfaisal University and the University of Ottawa, reinforcing the strong educational and professional ties between Saudi Arabia and Canada.
The event was led by Dr. Baraa Alghalyini, Dr. Abdul Rehman Zia Zaidi, and Dr. Rawan Elshaer, who played a role in coordinating discussions on academic cooperation, research partnerships, and medical education exchanges. Earlier in the day, during a series of high-level meetings, a Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed between Alfaisal University and the University of Ottawa, with Dr. Khaled AlKattan, Vice President and Dean of the College of Medicine, representing Alfaisal University. This agreement formalizes both institutions' commitment to exploring joint initiatives in research, medical education, and various other domains.
The team also extended an invitation to the SPIRIT team, represented by Samir Odeh and Maryam Oloriegbe, to join the discussions. As a result of these productive exchanges, the number of seats for Alfaisal University students in the University of Ottawa’s summer clinical rotation program was successfully increased, further enhancing opportunities for student training and academic exchange.
The evening commenced with opening remarks from Dr. Baraa Alghalyini, Vice Dean of the College of Medicine at Alfaisal University, who highlighted Alfaisal’s dedication to cultivating international academic and clinical collaborations. Dr. Mark Walker, Vice-Dean of Internationalization and Global Health at the University of Ottawa, followed with insights on the institution’s global outreach, the importance of medical partnerships, and the potential for expanding existing collaborations.
Alfaisal University has a well-established connection with Canadian medical education, with numerous faculty members and healthcare professionals having trained at prestigious Canadian institutions, including the University of Ottawa. This shared academic background serves as a strong foundation for future partnerships in clinical training, faculty development, and joint research initiatives.
To cultivate engagement and encourage networking, attendees participated in a dynamic icebreaker activity, "Alumni Bingo," which helped reconnect colleagues and sparked meaningful conversations. This was followed by inspiring alumni reflections, where former trainees shared their journeys, the impact of Canadian medical education on their careers, and their vision for future collaborations.
The evening concluded with closing remarks and a networking dinner, providing attendees with the opportunity to discuss prospective initiatives such as joint research projects, faculty and student exchange programs, and interdisciplinary academic collaborations.
This event represents a significant milestone in strengthening the partnership between Alfaisal University and the University of Ottawa, with promising prospects for deeper medical, academic, and research collaborations in the near future.
Let's Talk Community WORKshoPotluck
Conducted on 14th March 2023
Introduction
The Let's Talk Community WORKshoPotluck was a highly successful first of its kind intra-university initiative held at Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The workshop aimed to provide an opportunity for the participants to engage in community-building activities, exchange ideas, and collaborate to develop new community engagement projects. The event was aimed at promoting community engagement among the university's faculty and staff, and it achieved its objective. The workshop included brainstorming sessions where participants were grouped into five different tables to come up with innovative community engagement projects. We are in the process of creating a report for the initiative and will highlight the key outcomes of the workshop, and based on the discussions, provide recommendations for project, process, and policy improvements that can be implemented at Alfaisal University.
Key Outcomes
The Let's Talk Community WORKshoPotluck was a highly successful event with the following outcomes:
- Increased Awareness: The workshop increased awareness among the participants regarding the importance of community engagement and its impact on society.
- Innovative Ideas: The brainstorming sessions resulted in innovative ideas that can be implemented to improve community engagement at Alfaisal University.
- Collaborative Efforts: The event encouraged collaboration and teamwork among the participants, which will lead to more effective community engagement initiatives in the future.
- Actionable Results: The workshop produced actionable results in the form of community engagement projects that can be implemented at Alfaisal University.
Report
Coming Soon.