The Future Directions Forum, "Universities and Sustainable Development," organized by King Khalid University, concluded its two-day sessions. The forum witnessed the participation of international experts and a large audience.

The forum discussed the role of universities in achieving sustainable development, promoting the knowledge economy, and research innovation, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

The forum opened with a discussion session moderated by the former President of the Northern Borders University, His Excellency Prof. Mohammed bin Yahya Al-Shehri. Representatives of sovereign and regional bodies participated in the session, aligning with the forum's three pillars: people, land, and economy. The Executive Director of the Vision Realization Sector at the Aseer Development Authority, Eng. Yasser Qari, affirmed that the Authority is working in partnership with King Khalid University to develop the tourism sector, targeting 9 million tourists, with investments exceeding 27 billion riyals, and the development of 30 heritage villages, which contributes to boosting the local economy and supporting sustainable development.

His Excellency the President of King Khalid University, Prof. Faleh bin Rajallah Al-Solami, affirmed that the university is working to align its strategy with the Aseer Development Strategy, through the development of academic programs and specialized research centers. He pointed out that universities play a fundamental role in supporting development through research and innovation. The Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, Prof. Amru Izat Salama, pointed to the association's role in achieving sustainable development goals through developing education, empowering women and youth, promoting innovation, and confronting climate change, through the Arab Council for Sustainable Development.

The forum also witnessed the signing of a number of distinguished agreements and partnerships, including a memorandum of understanding with Jazan University, aimed at strengthening research cooperation and knowledge transfer between the two universities. A cooperation agreement was also signed between King Khalid University and the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education. In the health field, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the university and the Aseer Health Cluster to enhance cooperation in medical education, training, and scientific research. In a step towards supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, the university signed a cooperation agreement with the Saudi Innovation Club. In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Center for Environmental Research and Sustainability of Natural Resources at King Khalid University and the Global Association for Sustainable Development in the United Kingdom, which enhances areas of academic and developmental cooperation.

The forum included a number of scientific papers and dialogue sessions, starting with a dialogue session entitled: "Universities and their role in enhancing human capital" moderated by the specialized consultant in building higher education strategies, university classification and research excellence, Dr. Habib Fardan. His Excellency Professor Mohammed bin Yahya Al-Shehri participated in the session, stressing the need to link the strategic directions of universities with national principles to achieve balance and alignment. The Vice President of King Khalid University for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Professor Hamed bin Majdou’ Al-Qarni, explained that universities are the main source of knowledge and strategic directions, and they are the ones that create the human resource capable of achieving development goals. Professor Wael Abdul-Hakim Musa from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals added that universities have a responsibility to develop human resources, strengthen infrastructure, and take the lead in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. The Vice President for Research and Innovation at the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies and the Supervisor of the International Classifications Unit at King Khalid University, Dr. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, stressed that the university's outputs are not just human resources, but are effective tools that contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the local, regional, and international markets.

This was followed by a scientific paper entitled: "Saudi Universities and Enhancing National Environmental Capabilities: Development Mechanisms and Innovation Opportunities" presented by the expert at the National Center for the Development of Plant Cover and Combating Desertification, Engineer Ahmed Malash Al-Enezi, who discussed the role of universities in supporting sustainable development through scientific research, focusing on environmental challenges and economic opportunities. Professor Ibrahim Al-Sini presented a scientific paper entitled "The Role of Saudi Universities in the National Tourism Transformation," where he stressed the importance of transforming universities into living laboratories for experimentation and innovation to ensure the sustainability of development in the tourism sector.

Dr. Ismail Belin reviewed in his scientific paper "The Importance of the Role of Universities in Enhancing Environmental Capabilities at the Global Level: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions" the role of universities in enhancing environmental capabilities globally, and enabling international partnerships to achieve sustainable solutions that contribute to adapting to climate change and protecting natural resources. In the second dialogue session moderated by the Director of the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Center for Environmental Research and Sustainability of Natural Resources, Dr. Rahma Al-Qathanin, entitled: "Universities and their role in enhancing national environmental and tourism capabilities," Engineer Ahmed Al-Enezi pointed to the importance of contributing to building a sustainable tourism sector that is in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Dr. Ismail Belin stressed the need to invest academic competencies and employ innovation to enhance economic diversification, while the Director of the National Center for Talent and Creativity Research, Dr. Adel Al-Shaibi, pointed to the importance of universities as a major driver of sustainable development, through specialized central laboratories that support research and innovation, and enhance the efficiency of environmental performance.

On the second day, the forum continued with a series of dialogue sessions and scientific papers under the title: "Universities and their role in developing the knowledge economy," which began with a scientific paper presented by the Vice President of King Khalid University for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Professor Hamed bin Majdou’ Al-Qarni, entitled: "Saudi Universities as a Major Driver for the Development of the Knowledge Economy," stressing that science is a product of money, and pointing to research and innovation strategies to stimulate the knowledge-based economy, and enhance the role of universities in supporting Saudi Vision 2030.

Dr. Habib Fardan discussed the role of technology in enhancing the knowledge economy, and mechanisms for building an academic environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship. The forum also witnessed the participation of leadership and management expert Professor Mohammed bin Mufleh Al-Daraani, where he discussed the organizational structure of universities, and the importance of developing administrative structures to support sustainable development, pointing to the challenges facing some academic institutions, such as excessive centralization and weak administrative governance.

Dr. Adel bin Ahmed Al-Shaibi presented a scientific paper entitled "Saudi Universities and the Development of the Knowledge Economy: From Local Challenges to Global Excellence," in which he addressed the need to develop human competencies, enhance scientific research and innovation, align the outputs of higher education with the needs of the labor market, in addition to the importance of global academic partnerships in achieving excellence. Dr. Rahma Al-Qthanin also reviewed the concept of integration for sustainable development, and its impact on research areas in environment, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

The forum concluded with a dialogue session in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of the Aseer Region and Chairman of its Development Authority, and included the King Khalid University team and the international classification institutions team, where the attendees discussed the importance of academic partnerships in supporting sustainable development, enhancing the status of universities in global rankings, and their role in achieving economic and knowledge transformation.