RIYADH — Swansea University has awarded an Honorary LLD Degree (Doctor of Laws) to Professor Dr. Badran Al Omar, alumnus of Swansea University and Rector of King Saud University, the leading knowledge-sharing University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Professor Al Omar was presented with the award on Monday (July 20) during the graduation ceremony for the College of Arts and Humanities. On receiving his Honorary Degree from Swansea University, Professor Al Omar said: “It is a privilege to be receiving this Honorary Degree from such a well respected University." On the first day as Rector of KSU, Professor Al Omar addressed the staff and student body by saying: “I believe the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never needed KSU as much as it does now. The proper role of universities in the 21st century is as agents of knowledge, which includes the concepts of knowledge acquisition, creation and transfer as well as fostering a strong culture of innovation. He is an authority on the subject of Hospital and Health Administration, having dedicated his academic career to further understanding and improving the sector, and disseminating his knowledge to influence and enhance future policy. He obtained his BA Degree in Quantitative Methods from King Saud University in 1984, and studied for a Postgraduate Diploma at Lancaster University in 1986, returning to KSU to obtain his Master's in Health and Hospital Administration in 1990. He then attended Swansea University, graduating in 1995 with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Health and Hospital Administration from the College of Human and Health Sciences. After this, he studied for a Certificate in Healthcare Quality at the University of Oklahoma, an institution with which Swansea University has strong academic links. Professor Al Omar has served as Saudi School President of Swansea and Cardiff under the Saudi Cultural Bureau in London, and is British Council Saudi and UK Alumni Chapter Vice-President. He has been Peer reviewer for publications including The Saudi Medical Journal, Riyadh, and the Medical Science Monitor, New York. He has published extensively on the subject of Hospital and Health Administration and has shared his expertise through various training programs with titles including “Health Service Research and Data Analysis”; “Developing supervisory skills” and “Communication Skills “; and at conferences, with presentations on topics including “Patients' expectation and satisfaction with Primary Health Care in Saudi Arabia” and “Factors risking patient safety in Saudi Arabian hospitals.” Swansea University is a world-class, research-led university located in beautiful parkland with views across Swansea Bay close to the Gower Peninsula, the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The University was established in 1920 and currently offers around 330 undergraduate courses and 120 post-graduate courses to 16,800 undergraduate and postgraduate students. — SG
