As part of the "Saudi Digital Day" event hosted by Asir and held at King Khalid University's Al-Fara'a campus, with the participation of 20 entities from both the public and private sectors, the university announced the launch of two digital initiatives aimed at enhancing the university's role in the fields of data, artificial intelligence, and digital education. These initiatives seek to activate the Kingdom's Vision 2030 by showcasing advancements in e-services and digital innovations, in addition to solidifying the university's position as a beacon of excellence in digital transformation.

During the launch ceremony, the Acting President of King Khalid University, Prof. Saad bin Mohammed bin Dajam, stressed that the university is striving to enhance its digital presence locally and internationally. To achieve this goal, the university is working to foster a culture of digital transformation, innovation, and digital business in its educational, academic, research, and administrative processes, as well as raising digital citizenship awareness and building local and international partnerships in the digital realm.

The Dean of the Deanship of Electronic Services at King Khalid University, Dr. Hamid bin Saleh Al-Qahtani, explained that the "Open-Source Software Lab for Data and Artificial Intelligence" is a specialized technical platform designed to create a collaborative environment that brings together developers, researchers, academics, companies, and the government sector. The lab is equipped with the latest technologies and tools that support open-source software, including 25 terminals and specialized tools to support research and innovation in data and artificial intelligence.

Al-Qahtani added that the lab was designed to be a vibrant hub that brings together technology experts and developers to foster innovation and develop sustainable solutions that meet the needs of Saudi society and contribute to achieving national goals. He also stated that among the lab's primary objectives is to support academic research and projects that focus on data and artificial intelligence, and to establish partnerships with the private and public sectors to enhance cooperation in research and innovation. The lab also seeks to foster community engagement by organizing specialized meetings and events targeting those interested in open-source software development.

In line with its 2030 strategy, Dr. Al-Qahtani also announced the launch of the third version of the university's electronic portal, which features an innovative and user-friendly design that supports multiple languages, enhancing the university's global orientation and contributing to providing more effective services to various stakeholders, including university staff, students, visitors, and researchers. He added that the new portal features a range of innovative digital products such as the Sprint platform for managing hackathons, the EVENTS platform for managing university events, and the Voice of the Beneficiary platform that enables users to share their opinions and suggestions. The portal also includes the university's excellence awards, the Mulhem platform for university graduates, the digital transformation measurement platform, and other digital tools aimed at improving the digital experience for beneficiaries.

He added, "The portal is an important source of university news, events, and official announcements, and facilitates communication among members of the university community. The new portal provides equal access to information and digital services for all segments of society, including people with disabilities and the elderly, enhancing the values of inclusivity and equality within the university community." He emphasized that this step is part of the university's efforts to reaffirm its commitment to providing high-quality educational and research services and to expand its outreach to the internal and external community. Through this portal, the university aims to strengthen its position as one of the leading universities in the region and to provide a distinguished digital experience that meets the needs of beneficiaries and contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.