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م2019 ليربإا 201 Forum

Fifth Undergraduate

Research Forum

at Prince Sultan University

For the fifth year in a row, the Research and Initiatives Center the energy they bring into any project. In
(RIC) at Prince Sultan University has carried out and hosted the conclusion, she thanked the participants who
Undergraduate Research Forum. The main objective of this event presented and all those who contributed to
is to support undergraduate research efforts and help enhance the event. She appreciated Dr. Dina El-Dakhs
the research skills of undergraduates to become the scholars of who was the initiator of the undergraduate
the future; it also gives the students an opportunity to showcase research forum and thanked the Research and
their research work to a large audience from Prince Sultan Initiatives Center for organizing this fruitful
University and other universities from across the Kingdom of event. She stated, “One of the most important
Saudi Arabia. functions assigned to the center has been to
Undergraduate Research Forum (URF) was held this year on promote an initiative research act and initiate
March 18 and 19 with 225 female and 76 male participants. research activities in the related fields, in
Students’ abstracts covered the subjects of different areas such collaboration with researchers throughout our
as Computer and Information Science, Business Administration, country as well as abroad. In view of the rapidly
Engineering, Aviation, Law, Psychology, Arabic and English advancing frontiers of science and technology
Languages, Architecture and Interior Design, in addition to new and the increasing importance of collaboration
areas that have been presented for the first time in Prince Sultan I strongly feel that we all as educators should
University which are Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Hospitality. play a leading role in promoting research.
Seven universities participated in the forum this year: Prince This is not only a give-and-take information
Sultan University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, exchange with the outside world but it is very
Al Faisal University, Al Yamamah University, Jeddah International important for our everyday progression in our
College, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, and Taif profession.”
University. The attendees included 494 students, 124 PSU faculty At the men campus, Mr. Abdulrahman Yassin,
and staff, and 160 guests at both campus. Chair of URF Scientific Committee, started the
opening ceremony by welcoming the audience
The Opening Ceremony to the Undergraduate Research Forum for the
The opening ceremony was held on both campuses with a year 2019, and then he talked briefly about
beginning of Holy Quran recitation. In women side, Dr. Iman the large number of participants this year
Almomani, URF chair, started her word by welcoming the higher from different universities. He stated that most
management, guests, participants, faculty members and students reviewed research abstracts were accepted
to URF in its fifth edition. She highlighted the importance of because they look very promising, while “few
research and how it has become a necessity today rather than abstracts were rejected” he said.
an option. Also, she stressed on starting the research journey as
early as possible especially at the undergraduate level in order to Panel Discussion Session
learn, enhance the technical/soft skills, grab future opportunities After the opening ceremony, a panel discussion
in the academia, industry and public and private sectors. Also she was held in both campuses. The panelists Abdulrahman University: “About a year ago or more, I was one of
encouraged students and researchers to be selective in choosing discussed their areas of expertise and shared their experiences the attendees of this forum. I was amazed by the idea of the event
the research problems that should benefit their community and and information about how students should do their research. thus I encouraged my students to participate in this wonderful
nation. Dr. Iman brought the attention to PSU’s research themes In women campus, the moderator was Dr. Alia Mitchel from event. Through this event we have seen many different areas,
and the number of specialized research groups and labs that are College of Humanities and the panelists were Dr. Emna Chichaoui, and there was beautiful integration.”
established in all colleges. The aim is to build a solid research College of Law, Dr. Hadeer Abu Elnagah, College of Humanities, Shahed Al Qurashi (Student) – Taif University: “I came from Taif
infrastructure for PSU researchers and students to excel in Dr. Sofianiza Abu Malik, College of Information Systems and Dr.
research and to achieve remarkable results in different aspects Amira Khattak, College of Business. to be part of this exhibition, live the experience, and exchange
of life. In the men campus, the moderator was Dr. Ihab Katar from knowledge with others. I really thank Prince Sultan University for
Dr. Rimah Al Yahya, Vice Rector of the women’s campus, presented College of Engineering and the panelists were Dr. Mohammed hosting this event.”
the opening word. She welcomed faculty, students and guests. Tounsi, College of Computer and Information Sciences, Dr. Abdul Sara Al Sarhan (Student) – Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman
She highlighted the importance of the forum by stating, “It is not Rahim Abu Bakar, College of Business Administration and Dr. University: “It took my partners and me two months to prepare
only important for our everyday life as an academic institution Basel Sultan, College of Engineering. Dr. Khaled Al-Mustafa, URF this poster to present it.This forum always motivates us to search
but it is a forum which will empower the young researchers of Chair and the Director of Research and Initiatives Center, also more. This is the first time we participated, and are looking
our future and is aligned with the 2030 vision which promotes shared his experience during the discussion, before he handed forward to do so again next year.”
lifelong learning and innovation.” She emphasized that research the certificates to the panelists at the end of the session. Fajr Al Dleejan (Student) - Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University
exposes students to current best practices and shows how the (Dammam): “I came from Khobar to partake in this exhibition. I
theories and the models in their textbooks have evolved. She
explained that research often brings that knowledge to life in Presentations and Posters Sessions have lived a similar experience before in other places, but this
ways that assignment, exams, class discussions simply cannot The presentations sessions were held in the Large and Small is first time where there are different topics discussed, not just
accomplish. Auditoriums in the Women Campus, while they were held in Medicine.”
Moreover, she motivated the students by encouraging them to Prince Sultan Hall in Men Campus. Students from both genders Sara Al Abdulhadi (Student) – Prince Sultan University: “PSU
conduct research as it invariably leads to a better understanding presented their own research proudly in front of the audience opened up so many doors for us, as after this forum our research
of, and a deeper appreciation for the disciplines under who participated with questions and thoughts. will be presented for the first time, in Dubai; my partners and I
investigation. Student’s career goals are clarified after they Posters Sessions on the other hand took place in the Main Lobby represent our university there.”
participate in research. It is a significant confidence booster. The of both PSU campuses. All participants showed gratitude to Written by:
more students are mentally stretched, the greater their sense of Prince Sultan University for giving them the opportunity to share Nora Al-Muhanna, Maha Alqahtani, Rania Al-Senany, Felwah
accomplishment upon completion of that project. their research with students and faculty members of PSU. Alhudaithi, Dareen Abdulkareem
She also advised that students should seek mentoring in research
from faculty members as this two-way learning will benefit both. Forum Survey Supervised/Compiled by:
The students will benefit from the wisdom, the knowledge and During the forum, a survey was conducted and also guests were Ms. Sarah Al Shareef
experience of a mentor while faculty members benefit from interviewed and asked about their opinion on the forum: Ms. Ghada AbalKhail
the questions the students ask, the discoveries they make and Mrs. Marwa Al Saban (Lecturer) – Princess Nourah bint Mr. Abdulrahman Yassin