Anqari, Minister of Higher Education, has affirmed that intensive development in Information Technology and a constant endeavor to develop knowledge communities required full understanding of these variables and their effects. He also underlined the dire need of acquisition of the necessary skills required in order to reach the highest level of excellence and quality. Dr. Al-Anqari made these comments during the recent launching of the Center of Academic Leadership website. The launching took place during a workshop for presidents of Saudi universities at Yanbu Industrial City, according to a latest report carried by the website of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (KFUPM). The workshop was entitled “From Universities International Excellence to the International Excellence of Higher Education system.” Dr. Khalid S. Al-Sultan, President of KFUPM and General Supervisor of the Center, pointed out that the aim of establishing this center was to provide help and advice to the universities, institutes, groups and individuals in higher education organizations to foster innovation, excellence and success in this field and to keep pace with changes and challenges facing authorities and to meet shareholders' needs. About 340 workshops for male faculties and 200 workshops for females were conducted in the center since 2009 to develop it to assume academic leadership in the universities, he added. The Ministry of Higher Education established the Center of Academic Leadership in 2009 to enhance the role of heads and authorities of higher education and to organize several developmental activities which help in executing some of the needs of higher education organizations. With this in view, workshops were conducted for presidents, vice presidents, deans and department heads of various universities. The workshop will conclude with a discussion on regulations in universities management and the mechanism of achieving balance between higher education global environment reality and local needs and between tradition and research and education processes within academic institutes.
