Deanship of Scientific Research

The Deanship of Scientific Research at Almaarefa University aspires to establish a research culture that aims to produce new knowledge and innovative applications of existing knowledge. It also ensures a research-friendly environment and provides all the necessary resources for the academic staff and students to excel in scientific research and publish in the most prestigious international journals. The research program is closely integrated with academic programmes, and is consistent with national sustainable development goals.

A word from the supervisor of the Deanship of Scientific Research

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Almaarefa University is committed to producing sustainable knowledge that benefits the local community. There is no doubt that the knowledge gained through scientific research contributes to the sustainable growth of the national economy. It also supports beneficial causes and contributes to developing innovative solutions to health and social challenges. I am pleased to serve as supervisor of the Deanship of Scientific Research and to contribute to shaping our common future in a scientific spirit. We seek to create a supportive environment for various research initiatives both on and off campus. We also focus on encouraging research participation by students, faculty, and staff alike. The university's research production has witnessed remarkable growth over the past two years thanks to fruitful cooperation and intensive coordination. The Deanship of Scientific Research is proud of the efforts of all researchers in achieving these leaps in scientific publishing and citations. We are always keen to recognize your contributions to these achievements and honor the distinguished among you annually. The Deanship will continue to implement a sustainable research support policy that rewards excellence in the research outputs of faculty members. We also provide publication support for our students' research and encourage them to participate in prestigious international conferences. I invite everyone to join us in this successful journey towards broader horizons with humility, professionalism and clear benefit.

Message from the Director of the Research Center

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Healthcare professionals are constantly demanding the development of innovative solutions and technologies to address health challenges. Scientific innovation and technology development can only be achieved through creative minds and innovative approaches. Our students and professors in the Colleges of Health Sciences are elite researchers in clinical, pharmaceutical and population research. Since the beginning of the 2019–2020 academic year, the university has witnessed a noticeable shift in supporting and encouraging scientific publishing. In 2020, 56 research articles were published, the number rose to 175 in 2021, then jumped to 491 in 2022. The university's leadership seeks to maintain and enhance this momentum in prestigious scientific publications and citations. We develop research infrastructure through both internal and external support. We call on all faculty members to take advantage of the available devices and allocate part of the funding to develop them. The Center is pleased to announce that it has begun work on establishing a central research laboratory in accordance with international quality standards ISO 17025. We are also developing specialized research chairs in areas of clear national and international priority. We look forward to launching a scientific journal for Almaarefa University soon after discussing this with all stakeholders. This is only the beginning, and we recognize the continued need for development with your continuous and fruitful support and cooperation.

Vision, Mission, and Values

The Vision

To be a pioneer in scientific research in the region, and an essential partner in developing and supporting research and technology initiatives.

Mission

Creating an exceptional climate supportive of Almaarefa University’s research.

Values

Research excellence
Scientific integrity
Cooperation and teamwork
Community commitment

Objectives and tasks

Preparing the executive plan for scientific research at the university within the framework of its strategic plan, goals and policies, and following up on its implementation.

Following up on the progress of the university’s research groups, ensuring their efficiency, and coordinating their activities to achieve harmony and integration.

Coordinating with local and international research institutions in preparation for cooperation in scientific research to serve the university’s goals and policies in building local and international partnerships.

Develop policies and procedures that encourage scientific research and provide the necessary support to achieve the university’s goals of research excellence.

Proposing research programs in the fields of medicine, health, and technology to support the university’s goals and contribute to achieving the goals of the National Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Encouraging researchers and students with intellectual and creative abilities to develop their potential in a way that contributes to achieving the university’s goals towards scientific excellence.

Research priorities

Drug development

Disease management

Natural products

Critical care

Cardiovascular diseases

Diabetes

Cancer

Allergies and asthma

Neurodegenerative diseases

Genetics

Cell therapy

Disability

Environmental health

Interdisciplinary research

Digital health applications and systems

Research plan 2020–2025

Almaarefa University is proud to be in the process of shaping its future through a strategic plan that is consistent with the ambitious 2030 Vision. As an essential part of this plan, the university has developed an executable and reliable research plan spanning six consecutive years. The university adopts a new, transformative and pioneering approach to research, discovery, innovation and highly efficient technology transfer. This aims to contribute to the prosperity of Saudi Arabia and the well-being of its society through sustainable knowledge. The University uses Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure current performance and direct efforts towards continuous improvement. The university’s third strategic goal is: “Promoting and supporting scientific contributions with high impact and broad impact.” During this period, 16 initiatives/projects were proposed with 69 key performance indicators identified to ensure quality and efficiency. The Deanship of Scientific Research will follow up on the implementation of this plan through periodic operational plans and in coordination with all stakeholders. The success of this plan requires a firm commitment to developing a strong infrastructure of effective policies and procedures. Although this plan represents a beginning, we recognize the continued need to develop and update it in line with future opportunities. The 2020–2025 Research Plan represents the first step towards sustainable, nationally and internationally impactful research excellence. We invite everyone to participate in achieving its goals in the spirit of one team, shared responsibility, and hard work.

Research Center

the goal

Supervising, following up on, supporting and encouraging scientific research activities and studies in accordance with the university’s strategic plans and objectives.

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Studying faculty members’ research projects and submitting them to the University Council/Research Committee, and following up on their implementation after approval.

Follow up on the progress of research groups and projects in colleges and scientific departments, ensure their efficiency and effectiveness, and provide the necessary support to achieve integration between them.

Studying projects that require cooperation with parties outside the university, selecting researchers, following up on implementation, and proposing rewards in accordance with the regulations.

Coordination with scientific departments to motivate faculty members to prepare research, and provide the necessary support for efficient publication.

Coordination with the university’s Scientific Research Ethics Committee (IRB) to ensure adherence to ethical procedures.

Communication and coordination with research centers inside and outside the university.

Proposing programs to support and encourage students to conduct research that enhances their academic and practical achievement.

Raising mechanisms and procedures for encouraging applied research to the University Council for approval.

Following up on the work of researchers and their assistants and administrative and financial supervision of the center.

Providing recommendations in accordance with the unified regulations for scientific research and research grant policies.

Proposing research programs in the fields of medicine, health and science in line with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan.

Follow up on the implementation of research funded by the center and ensure its consistency with the objectives of the research plans.

Recommending spending from the center’s budget in accordance with regulations.

Preparing the center’s draft annual budget and submitting it to the competent authorities.

Preparing the annual report and final accounts of the center.

Submitting the support the center needs to the Deanship of Scientific Research.

Follow up on administrative and financial procedures related to the center.

Participate in preparing the university’s annual report.

Carrying out any tasks assigned to him in his field of competence.

Researcher Services Unit

the goal

Providing the necessary support and services to students and researchers to enable them to improve the university’s scientific outputs.

View tasks

Providing support and training to conduct research and studies according to scientific methodologies and modern processes.

Proposing mechanisms that encourage distinguished scientific publishing for faculty members.

Supporting prestigious scientific publishing in internationally ranked journals.

Assisting faculty members in writing scientific books and translating them into Arabic.

Providing support in proofreading scientific works before sending them to journals.

Using plagiarism detection programs to check the percentage of similarity and guide researchers to avoid it.

Organizing workshops and training courses on statistical applications for scientific data management.

Develop mechanisms to understand the use of statistics in interpreting results.

Updating the university publications database periodically.

Organizing introductory programs to scientific research for students and faculty members.

Developing research courses for students and faculty members.

Preparing research incubators for new students and faculty members.

Research chairs

the goal

Supervising specialized research activities to enrich the institutional environment for scientific research, recognizing the chair holder as an expert in his field, and enhancing the university’s standing.

View tasks

Build on existing research strengths and promote emerging areas.

Providing a distinguished training environment for students and researchers.

Contributing to the production of knowledge through research excellence.

Commitment to the highest research standards.

Develop and implement research plans according to university priorities.

Investing available resources to complete research projects and publish their results in prestigious journals.

Research Ethics Committee (IRB)

the goal

Organizing and following up on the ethical aspects of research projects implemented within the university.

View tasks

Verifying the compatibility of the research with the regulations applied in the Kingdom.

Ensuring the validity of informed consent procedures.

Issuing ethical approvals to conduct research.

Follow up on implementation periodically.

Monitoring the health status of participants during the experiments.

Protecting participants and ensuring their rights and safety.

Ensure compliance with procedures for handling participants and biological materials.

Ensuring that vulnerable groups (children, people with disabilities...) are not exploited.

Reviewing project applications submitted by university researchers or from other universities when needed.

procedures

1

Fill out the electronic form through the university’s research portal

2

Attach the CV of the principal researcher

3

Attach a research ethics certificate (NIH) or equivalent

Scientific research support program

the goal

Raising the level of scientific research to keep pace with international standards, by providing support for publishing, research, and participation in conferences.

Publishing support

WoS (SCI, SSCI, AHCI).

Institutional affiliation status of the university.

Do not publish in predatory journals.

The award is given to the first author, correspondent, or first author from the university.

Available to full- or part-time faculty.

Research grants

Each researcher has the right to submit one project as principal investigator during the year.

The project will not be accepted with a similarity rate exceeding 30%.

WoS (Q1–Q3).

It is required that at least one student and one assistant professor participate in the project.

The duration of the project does not exceed one year, with the possibility of extension if needed.

Participation in scientific conferences

It is required to spend a full academic year at the university.

Participate in a research paper accepted for publication.

A conference with a distinguished scientific reputation and internationally ranked.

Participation in one conference per year is permitted, with conditional exceptions.

Submit proof of participation and scientific presentation after return.

Supporting the publication of student research

Instructions

1

Limited to students currently enrolled in academic programs

2

WoS Medline (PubMed) Scopus

3

It may not be combined with other awards within the university

4

The university affiliation must be placed as the main body

5

The award is intended to cover the publication fee only, with the payment invoice attached to the student’s name

procedures

1

Fill out the electronic form through the university portal

2

Upload the published article

3

Upload proof of indexing of the journal

4

Upload payment receipt

5

Upload bank account number (IBAN)

Contact the Deanship of Scientific Research

To contact the Deanship of Scientific Research:

[email protected]

We are at your service for any inquiries or assistance you may need.