On October 15, 2024, the Deanship of Student Affairs at King Khalid University, represented by the Central Volunteer Work Club, in collaboration with the General Administration for Volunteering and Community Partnership, several central student clubs, college clubs, the Energy Efficiency Team, and the University’s Health and Quality of Life Program, organized the first volunteer gathering for its male and female students. The event was attended by Dr. Ali bin Misfer Al-Qahtani, Dean of Student Affairs, and representatives from more than 23 student clubs from different colleges of the university.

The event began with a speech from the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Ali bin Misfer Al-Qahtani, who welcomed the attendees and expressed his happiness with this event that brings together 23 student clubs from various King Khalid University colleges in cooperation with the General Administration for Volunteering and Community Partnership. Dr. Al-Qahtani considered this gathering one of the university’s most important events, as it stands out as the first central gathering to attract such a large number of students. He emphasized that student clubs and volunteer work form a core part of the university student experience, contributing to personality development, skill refinement, and opening up unique professional opportunities for students.

In his speech, the General Supervisor of the General Administration for Volunteering and Community Partnership at King Khalid University, Dr. Misfer Al-Asmari, highlighted the significant achievements the university has made in the field of volunteer work. He noted that the university has contributed to establishing several volunteer work units in governmental and private organizations within the Asir region, in addition to implementing key initiatives such as the tree-planting initiative in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover and the health, educational, and skill-building initiative for Asir region prisons. The university also succeeded in training 810 male and female students, who earned certified "Advanced Volunteer" certificates from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

On a national level, Dr. Al-Asmari explained that King Khalid University ranked third among Saudi universities in volunteerism and was selected as one of three universities to empower and train in volunteer work. On an international level, the university’s volunteer teams participated in three countries: Yemen, Chad, and Turkey, and its volunteer programs have reached more than 30 countries worldwide.

Dr. Areej Ibrahim Al-Ansari, Supervisor of the Volunteer Work Club, emphasized the importance of institutionalizing volunteer work within the university. She pointed out that this process relies on an organized scientific methodology aimed at improving the performance and effectiveness of volunteer work. Al-Ansari added that institutionalizing volunteer work requires careful planning, task distribution among specialized work teams, and continuous follow-up and evaluation to achieve specific and clear goals. These steps, she explained, help strengthen the culture of volunteerism within the university and develop effective initiatives that contribute to serving the community.

Dr. Saad Al-Qahtani, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs for Student Activities, also stressed the importance of student activities and volunteerism as effective tools in building skills and fostering excellence. He pointed out that these activities help develop leadership skills, effective communication, time management, and promote values of cooperation and social awareness. He also noted that these activities and volunteer work not only contribute to academic and community distinction but also increase employment opportunities and help build strong professional relationships.

Dr. Ali Nasser Al-Sahli, CEO of the Applied College in Sarat Abidah, emphasized that volunteerism is a human value that enhances community culture. He explained that volunteerism fosters a sense of belonging to the community and helps develop personal skills such as cooperation and teamwork. Al-Sahli also highlighted the role of volunteer work in supporting social and economic development, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to increase the number of volunteers to one million by 2030. He emphasized that volunteer work is not just an effort but an investment in the future of the nation and society.

Naif Al-Shibb also spoke about the importance of creating professional volunteer initiatives, showcasing how the G20 frameworks can be used as an organizational model for such initiatives. He explained that these models provide tools and methodologies that enable volunteers to plan and execute effectively, contributing to achieving sustainable goals. He further emphasized that using these models enhances the quality of volunteer initiatives and ensures a tangible positive impact on the community.

The event concluded with the honoring of success partners from participating organizations, student clubs, and volunteers in recognition of their efforts in supporting volunteer work and promoting a culture of giving within and outside the university. The attendees also toured an accompanying exhibition featuring interactive booths that showcased the participating student clubs. The booths highlighted the role of the clubs in promoting volunteerism and their effective contributions to enhancing the culture of volunteerism. The exhibition also featured displays of key initiatives implemented by the clubs in various fields.