As part of efforts to enhance and discover creative skills among students, the esteemed Dean of the College of Education for the Humanities, Prof. Dr. Hadi Al-Sa’eedi, along with the Assist. Deans for Academic and Administrative Affairs and the Head of the Department of English, convened the first forum of the Riyadah Initiative with outstanding students from all departments of the college.
The Dean opened the meeting by warmly welcoming the students and emphasized in his remarks that fostering a culture of creativity and innovation within academic institutions is not accidental or arbitrary but stems from a clear vision by the Ministry of Higher Education to cultivate such an environment. He pointed out that while this is often associated with scientific disciplines, today’s gathering reaffirms that humanities colleges are also leaders in this field, capable of addressing diverse issues and offering creative solutions. Innovation, he noted, is not confined to a specific domain, as every field possesses unique skills and perspectives.
The initiative’s foundation stems from a critical issue—post-graduation challenges, particularly unemployment. Prof. Al-Saeedi highlighted two prevalent mindsets regarding graduates’ futures: one relies on waiting passively for government employment, potentially leading to protests at ministry doors, while the other involves proactive self-development, enabling graduates to create their own opportunities and integrate into governmental or private sectors through their creative competencies.
He emphasized the college’s commitment to bridging the gap between students’ skills and the job market by collaborating with institutions across various domains, including private education, media, and corporate sectors. These institutions, he noted, prioritize creative individuals. Furthermore, the college aims to showcase students’ talents to the Ministry of Higher Education through innovation incubators, ensuring priority access to employment opportunities—a goal taken very seriously by the college administration.
The forum also featured a showcase of students’ diverse talents, crossing literature, poetry, Quranic recitation, hosting and public speaking, photography, video editing, translation, and more.
In conclusion, the Dean addressed students’ inquiries and requirements, expressing his appreciation for their contributions to this creative forum. He encouraged them to view themselves as the foundation and catalyst for success, wishing them continued progress and achievement.
