Minister of Labor and Social Development Visited KFUPM
Nov. 6, 2019 | Events
On Monday, November 4, 2019, the Minister of Labor and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi, visited King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM). The visit’s program included the opening of a workshop, a course to develop and train workers in the non-profit sector in the Kingdom and a tour of some KFUPM facilities.
KFUPM Rector Dr. Sahel N. Abduljauwad welcomed HE Eng. Ahmed Al Rajhi, declaring the visit of His Excellency to the University as one of the manifestations of cooperation between KFUPM and the Ministry. This visit aimed to promote professional practices in all aspects of work in the non-profit sector, transforming it from the stage of individual diligence to the stage of institutional work, and to achieve the social development of individuals and society in a comprehensive sense. KFUPM has already signed a number of agreements with the Ministry of Labor and Social Development in the field of developing work in the non-profit sector. HE the Rector pointed out that the University has made great efforts in the field of non-profit work. KFUPM established the Center of Excellence to develop non-profit organizations that aim to provide quality consulting and programs that shape the future of the non-profit sector and maximize its economic and social impact. The University also organized a series of workshops titled “Non-profit Institutions Management”. It has become an annual forum for the development of the non-profit sector, which monitors the participation of local and international experts and practitioners in this vital field.
Dr. Sahel Abduljauwad stated that KFUPM launched the Edama project, which continued to develop according to specific criteria, until it was approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development to become the national standard for volunteer management units in organizations. In collaboration with the Al Fozan program for community service, KFUPM has established an Academy aimed at building the capacity of non-profit organizations’ leaders.
The Director of the Center of Excellence for the development of non-profit organizations, Dr. Hattan Tawfiq, said that the course and the workshop fall within the framework of an agreement concluded with the Ministry. It aims to develop a number of models of professional standards for several non-profit sector jobs in the Kingdom, develop qualifications for these jobs, and to qualify trainees of each profession to find employment with non-profit organizations.
The agreement promotes professional practices in all aspects of work in the non-profit sector, based on global best practices, and with the participation of global experts at all stages of the project.
During his visit, the Minister of Labor and Social Development reviewed the University's experience in non-profit work. He pointed out that the University plays major roles, represented by scientific research and community service, in the field of non-profit work. KFUPM has established four international partnerships in the non-profit sector with the University of Indianapolis, Arizona State University, Grand Valley State University and Cass Business School at City, University of London.
The Director of Al Fozan Academy at KFUPM, Dr. Basem Al-Madani, said that the visit’s program included the opening of a training course and a workshop to develop leaders of non-profit organizations within the projects implemented by the University for the benefit of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development.
The course titled “Governance Specialist in the Non-profit Sector” is part of the initiatives to develop workers in the non-profit sector aimed at training 1500 beneficiaries in the first phase, and 15000 beneficiaries in the second phase, in various disciplines of the non-profit sector such as project management, the development of financial resources, management of volunteers and others.
He added that the workshop, which is the first of its kind, aims to develop the national job standard for managers of development projects in the non-profit sector, which falls within the project’s aim of setting standards and professional qualifications for non-profit sector jobs, which targets 10 jobs in the first phase and 18 jobs in the second phase.
