Latest News
Hevolution x Alfaisal University: A Strategic Partnership for Longevity Innovation
On May 6, 2025, Alfaisal University hosted the Hevolution Foundation for a strategic visit led by the Alfaisal University's Department of Family and Community Medicine under the Center for Innovation Partnerships and Community Engagement (CIPC). The meeting marked the beginning of a high-impact collaboration focused on advancing longevity science, biotechnology, and healthy aging initiatives across the Kingdom and beyond.
Hevolution Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to extending healthy human lifespan, presented its multi-pillar approach that includes global research grants, biotech investment, clinical innovation, and the Hevolution Research Institute (HRI). With over 850 scientists funded worldwide and growing initiatives in Saudi Arabia, Hevolution emphasized long-term partnership, capacity-building, and ecosystem development.
Alfaisal University showcased its strengths as a research-driven institution: cutting-edge laboratories, internal innovation grants, and active programs in aging, cardiometabolic health, and AI-driven health technologies. Both parties discussed potential areas of alignment, including co-developing pilot projects, opening access to research infrastructure, and exploring Alfaisal’s role as a regional satellite hub for Hevolution’s distributed research model.
The visit concluded with mutual agreement to begin drafting a scope-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), identify research themes, and initiate planning for follow-up sessions. This collaboration is poised to position Alfaisal as a key player in longevity science, contributing to Vision 2030 through innovation, global partnerships, and meaningful community impact.
NEOM Health Delegation Visits Alfaisal University: Shaping the Future of Healthcare Education
On May 21, 2025, Alfaisal University welcomed a high-level delegation from NEOM’s Health Division for a strategic meeting hosted by the Alfaisal University's Department of Family and Community Medicine under the Center for Innovation Partnerships and Community Engagement (CIPC). The visit explored bold new collaborations in healthcare innovation, curriculum reform, and capacity-building in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and NEOM’s ambitious vision for a next-generation health system.
The NEOM team outlined its future-forward approach to healthcare, one that integrates longevity, AI, personalized medicine, and community-centered care. The delegation emphasized new roles like health coaches, AI-augmented clinicians, and integrated care providers, all designed to support upstream health and wellbeing. In response, Alfaisal presented its strengths in multidisciplinary education, simulation-based training, and research in public health and primary care.
Discussions centered around co-developing new curriculum tracks, launching simulation-based onboarding programs, and initiating faculty and student exchanges. A major highlight was the proposed collaboration with IRCAD to establish a world-class simulation center in Riyadh, with Alfaisal positioned as a core academic partner. Plans for a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are underway, with working groups being formed to focus on curriculum design, feasibility studies, and international benchmarking with Canadian, British, and American institutions.
The visit solidified Alfaisal’s role as an academic anchor for NEOM’s vision of a health system built on prevention, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. Together, both institutions aim to redefine the future of medical education and training in the region.
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.
Digital Health Conference
The Digital Health Conference (DHCon) is a global conference that brings key leaders, scientists, health care professionals, and stakeholders in digital health to one place where they explore, showcase, and network for Healthcare AI innovation and advancement. The conference is powered by the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC), the leading hospital in the MENA region for healthcare delivery and research. Alfaisal University collaborated with KFSH&RC as academic partners during this conference and the community medicine department participated with a booth.
Visit PhotogalleryCommunity & Support
- Spiritual and Faith-Based Resources: Information about campus places of worship.
- Forums or Chat Rooms: Safe spaces for students, staff, and faculty to discuss health and wellness issues and share personal experiences.ations.
- Peer Counseling: Training programs for volunteers to become peer counselors, and schedules for peer counseling sessions
- Support for International Students and those from outside Riyadh:
- Information and resources tailored for students coming from abroad or outside Riyadh
- Diversity & Inclusion Resources: Resources to promote understanding across cultures
Healthcare Harmony Program: Nurturing Student Volunteering and Enriching Patient Experiences
Alfaisal University and KFSH&RC are currently working on collaborating on a Volunteer Program aimed at enhancing patient experience and offering medical students’ hands-on exposure to healthcare settings. This initiative not only provides vital clinical experience but also cultivates communication and critical thinking skills among participants. The volunteer program between Alfaisal University and KFSH&RC will enable medical students to bridge communication gaps between non-Arabic speaking doctors and Arabic-speaking patients, enriching the patient care experience. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting opportunity!
Partnerships & Collaborations
- Campus Initiatives with Local Healthcare Providers
- Ties with local hospitals, clinics, and wellness centers.
- Global Health Initiatives
- Collaboration with AWO and other global health organizations.
Our Partnerships
A Talk by Dr. Ivy F. Oandasan MD, CCFP, MHSc FCFP
(Director, Education College of Family Physicians of Canada; Professor, Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto).
Advancing primary care training in Family medicine: Team-based care solution for the primary care crisis.
Community medicine department hosted a presentation delivered by Dr. Ivy F. Oandasan MD, CCFP, MHSc FCFP (Director, Education College of Family Physcians of Canada; Professor, Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto). The talk was on the topic of Advancing primary care training in Family medicine: Team-based care solution for the primary care crisis.
Visit PhotogalleryLet'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.