Fall 2022

On December 21, 2022, King Khalid University's Faculty of Languages and Translation hosted a webinar featuring Dr. Shadma Iffat Rahmatullah. Her presentation, entitled "Catalyzing Change: Preparing Students for the Real World," emphasized the importance of equipping students with skills that transcend the traditional academic environment and adequately prepare them for future challenges. Drawing upon her extensive classroom experience and observation, Dr. Rahmatullah challenged the status quo of pedagogical practices. She prompted educators to question if merely covering the syllabus and helping students achieve high grades truly prepares them for their future endeavors. Her poignant questions unveiled the often-overlooked truth about prevalent teaching methods. Dr. Rahmatullah urged educators to prioritize teaching that is closely aligned with real-world applications, rather than focusing solely on academic success. She stressed that the ultimate goal should be to impart skills that will help students succeed in life, well beyond their school years. Clarifying the concept of real-world learning, Dr. Rahmatullah defined it as authentic learning that goes beyond grades and exam performance. According to her, pragmatic and practical learning can answer the frequently asked student question, "Why are we learning this?" This question, she suggests, signifies students' growing awareness of the practical implications of their studies and their desire to understand the real-world relevance of their coursework. She provided a comprehensive explanation of what it means to be "world-ready." A world-ready student, she posited, should have the skills to navigate life independently, be equipped to face any challenges, and be prepared for life's unpredictability. In her conclusion, Dr. Rahmatullah emphasized the importance of integrating real-world examples into teaching practices to prepare students for the future. She also highlighted the need for students to gain knowledge about significant global issues. The webinar proved to be an engaging event, fostering critical discussions and achieving significant success. Date: 12/25/2022 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique

On October 31, 2022, the Guidance and Counseling Unit (GCU) of King Khalid University held a workshop in collaboration with the Saudi Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf). The event also included an appreciation ceremony to recognize high-achieving students, dedicated faculty members, and supportive staff. Dean Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, Chairman Dr. Ibrahim Alasmari, and GCU Head Dr. Dawood Mahdi led the proceedings. The event began with Muhammad Jaber Al-Harbi, a career counselor at Hadaf, who introduced the attendees to the various employment support programs offered by Hadaf. Al-Harbi's comprehensive presentation titled "The Art of Dealing with Tests" was particularly well-received by participants for its interactive nature. It motivated students to formulate a plan of action for their upcoming final exams. Following the informative session, the ceremony recognized students who had attained a cumulative grade point average of 4.5 or higher for the second semester of 1443. The attendees congratulated the high achievers and expressed their best wishes for their continued academic success. Dr. Mahdi and the leadership team then awarded Muhammad Jaber Al-Harbi, a Hadaf career counselor, with a certificate of appreciation for his insightful presentation. The celebration then shifted to recognize the faculty, notably highlighting the administrative staff's pivotal role in the program's recent milestones. These staff members played a crucial part in the seamless transition to the new campus, skillfully coordinating the logistics and ensuring that every detail, from classroom setups to technology installations, was flawlessly executed. Their proficiency was further demonstrated in the procurement and setup of advanced facilities and equipment, which have significantly elevated the educational experience. Dean Al-Melhi, acknowledging these contributions, stated, "Your commitment and skill in navigating our move to the new campus, upgrading our facilities, and bringing in state-of-the-art equipment have been crucial. It's this kind of hands-on engagement in strategizing, making critical decisions, and upholding excellence that we aim to foster among all our administrative staff. Beyond the physical enhancements, your support for our international scholarship students, ensuring their seamless transition and academic prosperity, is equally commendable. This comprehensive and engaged approach truly embodies the essence of our team and is the driving force behind our program's success." The event also paid homage to the current and former GCU ambassadors, celebrating their vital role in fostering the university's legacy through their dedicated service and contributions to GCU's thriving community. In their closing remarks, Dean Al-Melhi and Dr. Mahdi urged the students to remain diligent and industrious. They motivated high-performing students to maintain their academic excellence and to assist their peers in fostering effective study habits. Their inspirational speech underscored the university's commitment to fostering an environment conducive to the holistic development of its students.

  The Alumni Unit of the Faculty of Languages and Translation hosted a webinar on a new virtual internship-based learning project on October 25, 2022, with the goal of integrating employability into all undergraduate and graduate programs. The objective is for all undergraduate and graduate students to acquire employability skills that are aligned with learning outcomes and help them prepare for a competitive job market.   In response to the increased demand for digital skills programs post-Covid-19, the Faculty of Languages and Translation worked to find innovative and expedient means for our students to acquire essential employability skills. After an initial agreement with Forage to become a university partner in July 2022 and further correspondence to officially integrate the Faculty of Languages and Translation platform onto Forage, it became clear that our goals were the same: to let students access online virtual internships from anywhere, at any time, with no restrictions.   Dr. Abdulrahman Almosa, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Development, kicked off the webinar moderated by Mohsin Reza Khan by introducing the Forage and explaining that students will be able to develop their skills and try out different roles and industries by working through self-paced modules, noting that students and alumni will gain a better understanding of the diverse and exciting career paths available. He emphasized the importance of students and alumni having the skills and confidence necessary for success as they transition from the classroom to the professional world. Following after, Hassan Costello continued to provide additional background information on the Forage. He emphasized that companies on Forage believe talent is more important than connections and mentioned that it is a great way to demonstrate an initial interest or passion for a specific organization and the type of work they do, which will be advantageous in any future recruitment process. He explained that after completing a program, students and alumni would receive a personalized certificate and a digital certificate that serves as evidence of acquired skills. He then highlighted that those who complete an online internship program could update their LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV under the "Certifications" section with their new skills to boost their credentials and kickstart their career growth. "Employers are twice as likely to interview a Forage candidate and four times as likely to offer them a position," he concluded.   Abdussalam Tahir Abdulmajid, a senior, described his experience completing virtual internships on the Forage, emphasizing that signing up is user-friendly and the courses are self-paced. He highlighted that one program requires five to six hours to complete and that you can complete as many as you like. With over 190+ courses to choose from, Abdussalam encouraged his fellow students to sample what real-life work at leading companies would be like and to fully explore their interests.   The webinar participants were then able to pose questions directly to Abdussalam and Dr. Almosa during a lively Q&A session. Date: 10/26/2022 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation