PSAU's Outreach Activities

Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) maintains a strong and institutionally embedded commitment to outreach education that extends well beyond its enrolled student population. As a public university serving a rapidly developing region, PSAU positions community engagement as a core pillar of its sustainability and social responsibility mandate.

At the local and regional level, PSAU delivers structured outreach programmes targeting local residents, schools, alumni, and professional communities. These include lifelong learning initiatives, open lectures, professional development workshops, and community-based training programmes aligned with national development priorities. Through its colleges and deanships, PSAU regularly organises public seminars, health awareness campaigns, environmental education activities, and skills-development workshops that are freely accessible to the wider community. Alumni are actively engaged through continuing education opportunities, mentoring schemes, and participation in university-led innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives.

PSAU’s outreach approach is particularly visible in its sustainability- and skills-focused activities. The University integrates community participation into initiatives related to green skills, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and employability, ensuring that knowledge generated within the institution benefits society more broadly. These efforts are aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and contribute directly to inclusive economic and social development in the Al-Kharj region and beyond.

Internationally, PSAU extends its outreach impact through its Global South Partnership, which connects the University with institutions, communities, and learners across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Under this framework, PSAU co-develops educational activities, joint programmes, and capacity-building initiatives that engage not only students but also educators, early-career professionals, and local communities in partner regions. These initiatives explicitly address shared challenges such as climate resilience, sustainable development, energy justice, and skills gaps, thereby extending PSAU’s educational mission to wider and often underrepresented populations.

Collectively, these activities demonstrate that PSAU operates dedicated, structured, and ongoing outreach educational programmes that serve alumni, local residents, and wider communities at both national and international levels. Outreach is not treated as an ad hoc activity, but as a strategic and measurable component of the University’s role as a civic and global institution.

PSAU Off Campus Educational Outreach Initiatives

PSAU undertook numerous off-campus educational outreach activities in 2024 and 2025, engaging local schools and communities through lectures, training sessions, volunteer programmes and awareness campaigns. Below is a detailed overview of these activities, including their themes, dates, formats, target audiences, delivering teams, objectives and outcomes.

Academic and Skills Development Outreach

Community Volunteer Programme (Al-Kharj region, launched late 2024): 

PSAU introduced a structured volunteer service programme in late 2024 whereby university students and staff provide free tutoring, basic education and vocational training to low-income families in the Al-Kharj region. This ongoing programme is delivered in community centres and family homes off campus, aiming to improve access to education and essential skills for disadvantaged households. The initiative is led by student volunteers (overseen by faculty advisors) and seeks to embody the “leave no one behind” ethos – its scope ranges from academic tutoring for schoolchildren to literacy and job skills training for adults. 

Outcomes: By 2025, the programme had engaged more than 200 student volunteers and benefited over 500 community members, with plans to expand to 1,000 beneficiaries by 2026. Families involved have reported improved academic performance among children and new income-generating skills for parents, indicating a tangible community impact.

Lifelong Learning & Community Education Hub (free courses for the public, launched mid-2024):

In 2025, PSAU formally established a Lifelong Learning Hub to extend educational opportunities to youth and adults beyond the university. (The hub began pilot courses in mid-2024.) This initiative offers free evening classes and short courses in IT, languages, and business skills, delivered both online and at community venues, to individuals not enrolled in formal education. Courses are taught by PSAU faculty and top students volunteering as instructors, blending academic expertise with peer learning. 

Audience: Young people, job seekers and other community members in the Al-Kharj area take part, improving their competencies in areas like computer literacy, English language, and entrepreneurship. 

Objectives and scope: The programme’s goal is to boost employability and lifelong learning in the region, aligning with national skills development priorities. 

Outcomes: In its first year (mid-2024 to mid-2025), the hub enrolled over 200 community learners, of whom at least 150 are expected to complete their courses by 2026. Several participants have already leveraged their new skills to secure jobs or pursue further studies. This success has also provided PSAU student instructors with practical teaching experience. Moreover, PSAU’s accreditation as a provider of continuing professional development (earned in late 2023) has enabled it to deliver certified training programmes for local professionals (e.g. in healthcare), further expanding the university’s educational outreach.

“Ramadan: The Golden Opportunity” Lecture (Annually): 

Just before Ramadan 1445 AH (March 2024), the College of Education’s Student Work Unit organised an evening lecture titled “Ramadan – The Golden Opportunity,” delivered via Zoom as a community outreach event. 

Format and audience: This was a live online lecture open to the public, attracting over 100 participants including PSAU students, staff, and members of the wider community. 

Delivering team: The session was presented by an Islamic Studies faculty member (Dr. Samah Al-Mowallad) with student organisers facilitating the webinar. 

Objective and scope: The lecture aimed to prepare and inspire attendees for the coming holy month, covering the spiritual virtues of Ramadan and practical advice on maximising personal growth, worship, and charitable acts during the month. It sought to strengthen community religious engagement and personal development outside the classroom setting. 

Outcomes: Feedback from participants indicated high satisfaction and benefit – attendees reported feeling better prepared and motivated for Ramadan. The event successfully reached a broad audience beyond campus and fostered a sense of community and spiritual readiness among participants.

“Wa’ed” Summer Youth Forum (blended programme, 2025): 

In the summer of 2025, PSAU academics partnered with the Social Development Committee in Al-Kharj to deliver the “Wa’ed” Virtual Summer Forum, a two-week online programme for local youth. 

Format: This forum, conducted entirely off campus via virtual workshops and webinars, brought together a range of interactive development sessions for young men and women. 

Audience: Dozens of secondary school and university-age youth from Al-Kharj city participated from their homes, supported by educators from PSAU and the local Ministry of Education office. 

Delivering team: An interdisciplinary team of PSAU faculty members and educational specialists ran the sessions, volunteering their time as mentors and instructors. 

Objective: The forum’s mission was to discover and nurture young talent, develop participants’ skills, and productively channel youth energies over the summer break. Workshop themes included creative thinking, leadership, personal responsibility, and community service, aimed at honing both soft skills and civic values among the youth. The programme also emphasised protecting young people from the negative effects of idle time by engaging them in constructive learning and volunteer projects. 

Outcomes: Over the forum’s duration, participants engaged in numerous developmental activities and remote group projects. The initiative concluded with a virtual showcase of the youths’ creative ideas and skills. Organisers reported that the forum successfully improved participants’ confidence, teamwork and creative problem-solving abilities. The positive reception has led to plans for making the Wa’ed forum an annual summer outreach event, blending university expertise with community youth development.

Health and Wellness Outreach Activities

“Clear Vision” Eye Health Campaign (free screenings and awareness, 2024): 

As part of its community healthcare outreach, PSAU’s College of Medicine launched the “Clear Vision” campaign in 2024 to promote eye health in the local population. 

Format and location: This was a mobile clinic initiative with ophthalmology faculty, students and staff setting up free eye examination stations at public venues in Al-Kharj (such as community centres and local health fairs) to reach people outside the campus. Audience: The campaign served both university members and local residents, particularly focusing on those with limited access to optometric care (e.g. the elderly and low-income individuals). 

Delivering team: Volunteer medical students and physicians provided on-site vision screenings, basic eye exams and consultations. They also delivered short educational talks and demonstrations on common vision problems. 

Objective: The aim was to raise awareness about preventable or treatable eye conditions – such as refractive errors and cataracts – and encourage proactive eye care. Information leaflets were distributed on topics like proper eye hygiene and the importance of regular testing. 

Outcomes: The campaign succeeded in improving community awareness of eye health. Hundreds of residents received free eye check-ups and referrals; several cases of poor vision were identified and guided for further treatment. This initiative contributed to SDG 3 (Good Health) by improving access to preventive care and highlighting universal health coverage, and it strengthened the culture of volunteerism in health among PSAU students.

Community First Aid and CPR Training (Al-Kharj, periodic 2024 & 2025): 

In 2024, PSAU organised a series of first aid and emergency response training sessions to enhance public safety skills in the community. 

Format: These were hands-on workshops held at community venues (such as local schools and civic halls) as well as during a large-scale Mass CPR Training Event on campus open to the public. 

Audience: The training was offered to a wide range of participants outside the university – including school teachers, parents, youth volunteers and other community members – free of charge. 

Delivering team: Instructors from PSAU’s College of Applied Medical Sciences and Nursing Department (including certified first aid trainers and experienced students) led the sessions, often in collaboration with local Red Crescent personnel. 

Objective: The goal was to equip members of the public with essential life-saving skills like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), treating wounds, and responding to common emergencies. Emphasis was placed on building confidence to act in critical situations and on raising general emergency preparedness in Al-Kharj. 

Outcomes: Dozens of community members earned basic first aid certification through these workshops in 2024. The mass CPR training event was particularly successful – it trained a large cohort of students and citizens in one day, contributing to a more resilient community. Participants reported increased knowledge of emergency procedures, and local schools have since expressed interest in making such training a regular offering for staff and older pupils.

Gulf Adolescent and Youth Health Day Events (Annually: 30 September 2024 & 2025): 

PSAU actively participated in the annual GCC Adolescent & Youth Health Day by hosting outreach activities in 2024 and 2025. 

Format: Each year on 30th September, awareness programmes were held off campus in partnership with local health authorities – for example, PSAU teams set up informational booths and interactive exhibits at a public youth centre in 2024 and conducted a school outreach session in 2025. 

Audience: The target audience was young people across the region (particularly teenagers and young adults in secondary schools and early university years), along with their teachers and parents. 

Delivering team: Faculty and students from PSAU’s medical and health colleges led the events, often joined by paediatricians and health educators from the Ministry of Health. 

Objective: The aim was to educate youth about healthy lifestyles, common health challenges in adolescence, and preventive measures. Topics included nutrition, exercise, mental health awareness, and avoidance of risky behaviours. The programmes typically featured short lectures, interactive Q&A sessions, and distribution of youth-friendly health literature. 

Outcomes: These events heightened health awareness among hundreds of local adolescents each year. In 2024, for instance, school students participated in quizzes and demonstrations on healthy eating and fitness, and in 2025 a special seminar on mental well-being in youth was delivered. Feedback from school administrators indicated improved student engagement with health topics, and many students pledged to adopt healthier habits. The successful collaboration has strengthened PSAU’s linkages with local schools and contributed to sustained community health education for the younger demographic.

Breast Cancer Awareness Campaigns (Annually: October 2024 & 2025): 

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in both 2024 and 2025, PSAU carried out off-campus outreach to educate women about breast cancer prevention and early detection. 

Format and location: The university’s outreach teams organised awareness lectures and interactive booths at community venues – for example, a public seminar at Al-Kharj’s main women’s cultural centre in October 2024, and a similar event hosted at a local charity hall in October 2025. Additionally, PSAU medical students participated in a downtown awareness march and clinic open-day. 

Audience: These activities drew women from the general community, including housewives, working women, and female high-school students, as well as some female PSAU staff and students. 

Delivering team: Female students and physicians from PSAU’s College of Medicine (especially oncologists and health educators) delivered the lectures, assisted by nursing students who demonstrated self-examination techniques using medical models. 

Objective: The primary goal was to improve public understanding of breast cancer, encourage regular screening (such as mammograms and self-exams), and dispel myths. Sessions covered topics like risk factors, signs and symptoms, and survivor stories to emphasise the importance of early diagnosis. 

Outcomes: These campaigns reached a significant number of women each year – attendance at the 2024 seminar was around 80 women, while the 2025 event saw over 100 attendees. Many participants reported that they had never attended a similar health talk before and found the information potentially life-saving. Local health centres noted an uptick in inquiries and bookings for mammograms in the weeks following the campaigns, indicating a positive behavioural impact of the outreach.

Paediatric Cancer Awareness Lectures (2024 & 2025): 

PSAU also contributed to community education on childhood cancers by hosting public awareness lectures in 2024 and 2025. 

Format: These were single-session seminars held at off-campus healthcare venues – for instance, in 2024 a lecture was delivered at the Al-Kharj Children’s Hospital auditorium, and in 2025 a similar talk took place at a regional paediatric charity centre. 

Audience: Parents, school nurses, and paediatric healthcare volunteers from the community were the main audience, invited through local schools and social organisations. 

Delivering team: A PSAU paediatrics professor (specialising in oncology) led the presentation each year, supported by medical interns who helped with organisation and Q&A sessions. 

Objective: The lectures aimed to raise awareness about childhood cancer warning signs and the importance of early intervention. Topics included recognising symptoms like persistent fevers or unusual lumps, understanding the value of timely medical consultation, and providing psychological support to affected children and families. 

Outcomes: Each session was attended by dozens of community members and prompted thoughtful discussions. Attendees gained knowledge on early detection – for example, several parents in 2025 noted they felt more confident in monitoring their children’s health after the talk. The events also helped build trust between PSAU’s medical faculty and the community, with many attendees expressing appreciation and interest in further health-education events.

Student-Led Community Service Initiatives

Bayader Social Club Iftar Outreach (Al-Jeriwi Mosque, Ramadan April 2024): 

PSAU’s student volunteers engaged in charitable outreach during Ramadan 2024 by organising a community iftar (fast-breaking meal) for those in need. 

Format and location: The Bayader Social Club (under the Deanship of Student Affairs) coordinated the preparation and serving of evening iftar meals at Al-Jeriwi Mosque in downtown Al-Kharj throughout Ramadan. This took place entirely off campus in a local mosque setting to directly reach community members. 

Audience: The initiative catered to fasting individuals in the community – including low-income workers, travellers, and anyone attending the mosque at sunset without means to secure a meal. 

Delivering team: A team of PSAU student volunteers (both male and female) arranged the meals, with support from student affairs staff. They provided a variety of traditional food items and dates for breaking the fast, often personally handing out meals and dining alongside the community. 

Objective: This outreach sought to uphold the values of solidarity and generosity during Ramadan by ensuring that no one in the community went without an iftar meal. It also offered students an opportunity to engage in voluntary service and cultural exchange off campus. 

Outcomes: The programme successfully served dozens of people each night. Community members expressed gratitude for the university’s involvement, and the presence of enthusiastic young volunteers created a warm, inclusive atmosphere at the mosque. The Bayader Club’s participation not only alleviated hunger but also strengthened town-gown relations. (PSAU student clubs continue to provide community services year-round – the iftar project is one notable example of their impact in 2024.)

“Let’s Make it Green” Tree-Planting Campaign (local environmental volunteering, 2024): 

PSAU contributed to national sustainability efforts by joining the “Let’s Make it Green” campaign in 2024, which involved off-campus environmental volunteer work. Format: Students and staff volunteers from PSAU took part in organised tree-planting drives in and around Al-Kharj, in coordination with the Ministry of Environment’s regional office. These events were held at public locations such as municipal parks and roadside areas identified for greening. 

Audience: The direct participants were PSAU volunteers and officials from the local municipality, but the broader “audience” or beneficiaries were the local community and environment – gaining greener public spaces and increased environmental awareness. 

Delivering team: The volunteering teams included members of PSAU’s Environmental Club, faculty from the College of Sciences, and administrative staff, all working alongside community members. They brought saplings, tools and expertise on planting techniques, and sometimes conducted brief demonstrations for any local residents present on how to care for young trees. 

Objective: The goal was to improve the urban ecosystem, educate the public on the importance of afforestation, and contribute visibly to Saudi Arabia’s Green Initiative by planting native trees in the region. 

Outcomes: Throughout 2024, PSAU volunteers helped plant hundreds of tree saplings off campus. By early 2025, the university reported that over 1,800 new trees had been planted (cumulatively in various initiatives, greatly exceeding initial targets). Many of these were a result of joint efforts like Let’s Make it Green. The campaign not only beautified and shaded parts of the city but also instilled a sense of environmental stewardship in students. Participants noted that engaging with local residents during the planting days helped raise community consciousness about sustainability. This collaborative outreach demonstrated PSAU’s commitment to serving the community’s environmental well-being beyond campus boundaries.

In summary, PSAU’s off-campus outreach activities in 2024 and 2025 encompassed educational lectures, health campaigns, skills workshops and volunteer projects, all designed to share the university’s knowledge resources with the wider community. These initiatives were delivered in schools, clinics, public forums and virtual spaces outside the university, targeting groups from schoolchildren and youth to women, families and vulnerable communities. The table below summarises the key events, categorised by activity type, date and target audience:

Each of the enumerated activities demonstrates PSAU’s commitment to extending learning, health, and social support beyond its campus. Through faculty expertise and student volunteerism, the university has made a positive impact in schools, homes and community settings – from improving individual knowledge and well-being to fostering a stronger, more resilient community in the Al-Kharj region.

Additional educational outreach activities at PSAU are presented in the following sections.

PSAU Community Outreach and Education Activities

Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) actively engages in outreach educational activities for the wider community, including its alumni, local residents, and broader vulnerable groups. Between 2024 and 2025 the university implemented a range of programmes – from volunteer-led training schemes to public awareness campaigns – aimed at sharing knowledge and skills beyond the campus. Below is an overview of key initiatives in this period, each detailing the activity’s title, timing, format, target audience, objectives, and outcomes.

Community Educational Outreach Initiatives

Community Volunteer Programme (launched late 2024 – ongoing)

Format: Ongoing volunteer service programme (tutoring, workshops, and practical support) led by PSAU students and staff.

Attendees/Target: Low-income families in the Al-Kharj region (local community members lacking educational resources).

Scope & Goals: Launched in late 2024, this structured programme provides free tutoring, vocational training, and basic services to disadvantaged households. The goal is to improve access to education and essential skills for underprivileged local residents, embodying a “leave no one behind” ethos. Volunteers visit or connect with families to help schoolchildren with studies, offer adult skill training (e.g. computing or language basics), and assist with basic needs – thereby strengthening community ties and empowering families through learning.

Outcomes: By the end of 2025 the programme had engaged over 200 student volunteers, benefiting more than 500 community members through improved academic support and new practical skills. Participants have reported better school performance and increased confidence in pursuing income-generating activities. The initiative also embeds a culture of volunteerism among PSAU’s students and staff. Owing to its success, the programme is being scaled up with a target of 1,000 beneficiaries by 2026, expanding its reach across Al-Kharj’s low-income neighbourhoods.

“Together for a Conscious Society” Campaign (late 2023 – early 2024)

Format: Multi-month public awareness campaign, including workshops, lectures, and a concluding community event.

Attendees/Target: General public of Al-Kharj (students, families, and local organisations), with participation from PSAU students and local authorities.

Scope & Goals: Running for approximately three months over late 2023 into 2024, this campaign was organised by PSAU’s Deanship of Student Affairs (Guidance and Counselling Unit). It comprised a series of awareness lectures, educational workshops, and community activities focused on social well-being and safety. Key topics included drug abuse prevention, anti-bullying, healthy lifestyles, and life skills development for young people. The overarching goal was to create a safer, more informed community by equipping students and residents with knowledge about health, personal development, and social responsibility.

Outcomes: The campaign culminated in a well-attended closing ceremony in early 2024, officiated by the PSAU Vice President for Educational Affairs alongside the local Police Director. During this event, a short documentary on the campaign’s activities was screened and informational videos on the harms of drugs and smoking were shown. An exhibition was also held to showcase learning materials about the dangers of substance abuse and bullying. The campaign succeeded in reaching wide segments of the community: hundreds attended the various workshops and events, including school pupils and members of local NGOs. Participants reported greater awareness of personal safety and health issues, and the university honoured outstanding contributors (such as student volunteers who produced the best awareness videos). The “Together for a Conscious Society” initiative thus not only educated the public on critical social issues but also fostered collaboration between the university and community stakeholders (e.g. law enforcement and charities) to support youth well-being.

Health Awareness Campaigns (2024–2025)

Format: Community health workshops and public campaigns (in-person and online), often linked to national or global health days.

Attendees/Target: Local residents of Al-Kharj, including underserved communities, as well as PSAU students and alumni interested in health education.

Scope & Goals: PSAU’s colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health led outreach programmes to improve health literacy in the local community. Throughout 2024 and 2025, the university organised numerous health education activities – for example, free seminars on first aid and CPR, mobile clinic days for basic health screenings, and awareness sessions on preventing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. These initiatives aimed to provide vital health knowledge and preventive education to the wider public, particularly targeting groups with limited access to healthcare information. Workshops were often timed with occasions like World Diabetes Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ensuring relevance and community interest.

Outcomes: Collectively, dozens of health outreach events were held, often attracting large turnouts from local residents. Participants gained practical skills (such as how to respond to emergencies or improve nutrition and exercise habits) and access to basic medical advice. For instance, in 2025 PSAU medical staff and student volunteers ran a “Healthy Living” clinic day in a village outside Al-Kharj, where families received wellness check-ups and attended interactive sessions on diet and exercise. Such efforts have measurably increased health awareness – local clinics reported more people coming for preventive check-ups after these campaigns. Importantly, these programmes strengthened trust between the university and the community: PSAU is now seen as a go-to resource for health education, and faculty continue to partner with local authorities to address public health challenges. Each year, more than 80 community education activities (many of them health-related) are organised by various PSAU colleges, underlining the university’s ongoing commitment to community well-being.

“Little Scout” Youth Workshop (2025)

Format: One-day educational workshop and activity session for schoolchildren (off-campus).
Attendees/Target: Thirty female primary school students (approximately ages 9–12) from Khawla Bint Al-Samit Elementary School in Al-Kharj.

Scope & Goals: In 2025, PSAU launched the “Little Scout” programme, an outreach workshop designed to introduce young students to the concepts of scouting and personal development. Hosted by university staff in collaboration with the local school, the session taught children about the scouting movement’s values and how those values can build personal and social skills. Through interactive activities, the girls learned about discipline, teamwork, cooperation, responsibility, and leadership in a fun, engaging manner. The goal was to foster character development and civic responsibility among youth, encouraging them to be active, community-minded individuals from an early age.

Outcomes: The Little Scout workshop was very well received – the young participants enjoyed hands-on learning (such as team challenges and simple outdoor skills exercises) and demonstrated improved understanding of teamwork and responsibility by the day’s end. Teachers and parents noted the students’ enthusiasm and newfound confidence when taking on responsibilities at school after the event. Although a small-scale programme (30 pupils in this session), it served as a pilot for youth outreach; PSAU plans to expand such workshops to more schools in the region. The immediate impact was evident in the participants’ feedback: many expressed interest in joining scouting or volunteering activities, indicating the workshop successfully inspired a spirit of community service and personal growth in these children.

“Giving Caravan 1” Volunteer Initiatives (late 2024 – 2025)

Format: A coordinated series of volunteer projects and campaigns under a unifying initiative, launched during a special event.

Attendees/Target: University-wide (PSAU students, faculty, and staff) designing projects to benefit various segments of society (e.g. orphans, people with disabilities, environment, etc.). End beneficiaries are diverse community groups across the region.

Scope & Goals: As part of Saudi Arabia’s national Volunteer Day (5 December) celebrations, PSAU rolled out the “Giving Caravan 1” initiative in late 2024. This umbrella programme invited students and staff from all colleges to develop and participate in volunteer projects addressing community needs. Fifty distinct volunteer initiatives were launched through the caravan, ranging from educational tutoring drives and environmental clean-ups to support campaigns for the elderly and vulnerable. The unifying goal was to spread the culture of volunteerism and social responsibility within the university and to channel that energy into tangible community development contributions. PSAU provided guidance and resources for each mini-project, ensuring they aligned with strategic social goals and had clear objectives.
Outcomes: Through “Giving Caravan 1”, more than 200 volunteer opportunities were created for PSAU members, and dozens of community-focused micro-projects were executed over 2024–2025. Examples of outcomes include: a volunteer team delivering weekend classes at a local orphanage, a group of engineering students installing ramps for improved accessibility in public buildings, and an environmental awareness campaign in which volunteers planted trees and taught schoolchildren about recycling. The initiative’s impact was twofold – externally, it offered direct benefits and services to multiple community groups, and internally, it significantly boosted student engagement in volunteering (many participants were first-time volunteers who have since committed to ongoing service). The “Giving Caravan” model has been hailed as a success by the university’s leadership for embedding volunteer outreach in campus culture. Plans are in place to repeat and expand the caravan annually, with new themes and an even broader reach, thereby continually enhancing PSAU’s role in community development.

Personal and Family Management Course (May 2025)

Format: One-day training course delivered as a community workshop (in-person seminar).
Attendees/Target: Open to the public; chiefly attended by adults in Al-Kharj (local residents, including parents and young adults). The session in May 2025 saw dozens of participants from the town of Al-Sih and surrounding areas.

Scope & Goals: PSAU’s College of Education, in partnership with the Al-Sih Social Development Committee, held a course titled “Personal and Family Management.” The aim was to equip community members with essential life-management skills. Key topics included personal financial planning (household budgeting, saving strategies), effective communication within the family, time management, and decision-making for family wellbeing. By offering this as an outreach course, PSAU sought to promote lifelong learning among local adults, helping them adapt to modern challenges in managing family affairs and personal development. The course was advertised through community centres and was free of charge, reflecting the university’s commitment to accessible education.

Outcomes: The workshop was well-attended and highly interactive – attendees engaged in group discussions and practical exercises (for example, drafting a simple family budget plan). Feedback was overwhelmingly positive: participants reported that the content was directly applicable to their daily lives, with many noting they gained new techniques for organising their finances and fostering positive family relationships. For PSAU, the collaboration with the Social Development Committee strengthened town-and-gown relations. It demonstrated the university’s capacity to serve not only traditional students but also the wider adult population with education on everyday skills. Following the success of this session, PSAU has planned additional community short courses on topics like digital literacy for seniors and parenting skills, thereby continuing its outreach mission.

“Wa’ed” Virtual Summer Forum (August 2025)

Format: Two-week virtual forum (online conference) comprising workshops, talks, and interactive sessions, conducted via video conferencing.

Attendees/Target: Youth of Al-Kharj region – both male and female young people (primarily secondary school and university age). The forum featured an “elite group of academics and educational specialists” from PSAU as speakers and mentors, alongside participants from the local Education Department.

Scope & Goals: The “Wa’ed” Summer Forum was an outreach programme organised in mid-2025 by the Social Development Committee of Al-Kharj city, with active participation from PSAU faculty. Conducted virtually to maximize accessibility, the forum’s mission was to discover and develop the talents of young people, and to enhance their skills during the summer break. Over the two weeks, numerous development workshops were held on topics such as leadership, creative thinking, entrepreneurship, and community service. Specialists from PSAU delivered sessions to train youths in assuming responsibility and engaging in voluntary community work. The programme also aimed to channel the energy and emotions of young men and women towards positive endeavours – protecting them from the negative effects of idle time by investing their summer in beneficial learning activities.

Outcomes: The Wa’ed forum concluded in August 2025 with significant achievements: dozens of youths had attended multiple online sessions, actively interacting with professors and experts. Participants honed various skills ranging from project planning to teamwork and innovation. For instance, one workshop guided attendees in developing a community project plan, resulting in a few student-led proposals that were later implemented locally (such as a neighbourhood clean-up drive initiated by forum alumni). The virtual format allowed students from across the region (including some in remote areas) to join, thus broadening the forum’s reach. By the end of the programme, feedback indicated that the youth felt more prepared to take on volunteer roles and entrepreneurial projects. The organisers also noted the success of the format: given its impact, the Social Development Committee and PSAU agreed to make the summer forum an annual event. This activity illustrates PSAU’s broader commitment to engaging young people beyond its campuses, leveraging academic expertise to nurture the next generation of community leaders.

Alumni Outreach and Continuing Education

“Entrepreneurship in Nutrition: Starting Your Own Business” Career Fair (2025)

Format: Specialised career fair and training seminar, held on-campus as a one-day event.
Attendees/Target: Recent PSAU graduates and alumni (with an emphasis on female graduates in nutrition and health-related fields), as well as senior students approaching graduation. Approximately 100 participants joined, most of whom were PSAU alumnae or final-year students interested in entrepreneurship.

Scope & Goals: Recognising the importance of continued support for its graduates, PSAU organised a dedicated outreach programme focusing on entrepreneurship opportunities in the nutrition sector. “Entrepreneurship in Nutrition: Starting Your Own Business” took place in 2025 as part of a career development fair. The format combined an informative seminar with a networking workshop. Industry experts and successful entrepreneurs (including PSAU alumni who had started businesses) were invited to speak and mentor attendees. The goal was to encourage alumni to consider entrepreneurial ventures in nutrition and food services, capitalising on their academic background in nutrition science. Topics covered included identifying market gaps in healthy foods, steps to establish a food-related start-up, securing funding, and regulatory considerations for food businesses in Saudi Arabia. By targeting female graduates in particular, the programme also aimed to empower women alumni to become business leaders in line with national goals for women’s economic participation.
Outcomes: The career fair was a catalyst for several alumni. Attendees gained practical knowledge of business planning in the nutrition field and many had the chance to workshop their own business ideas with mentors during breakout sessions. In terms of impact, by late 2025 a few participants had embarked on forming small enterprises – for example, two alumnae teamed up to launch a healthy meal-prep delivery service in Al-Kharj, crediting the fair for providing the initial inspiration and know-how. More broadly, the event strengthened PSAU’s alumni network: graduates appreciated the university’s continued investment in their development. The success of this session has led PSAU to plan similar executive education short courses and alumni seminars in other fields (such as technology start-ups and educational consulting) to maintain lifelong learning opportunities for its alumni. In summary, the nutrition entrepreneurship fair demonstrated PSAU’s dedication to its graduates’ success by extending education and career guidance beyond graduation, directly benefiting alumni and by extension the local economy.

Humanitarian and Global Outreach Efforts

Hajj Pilgrim Support Volunteering (June 2025)

Format: Large-scale volunteer deployment during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, involving training and field service by university volunteers.

Attendees/Target: Millions of Hajj pilgrims from around the world (the beneficiaries of the support). The PSAU volunteer team itself consisted of 108 students and 13 staff members in 2025, predominantly from the medical, nursing, and pharmacy colleges.

Scope & Goals: In 2025, PSAU expanded its community service to a national humanitarian mission – supporting pilgrims during Hajj (1446 AH). Volunteers from the university travelled to the holy sites in Makkah and Mina, where they provided on-the-ground assistance such as first aid, health guidance, crowd management, and general help to pilgrims. The goal was twofold: to contribute to the success and safety of the Hajj operation (a crucial national and international event) and to give PSAU students a chance to apply their skills in a real-world, high-impact humanitarian context. Prior to deployment, the volunteers underwent special training in emergency response, multicultural communication (given the diverse pilgrim backgrounds), and the logistics of Hajj. This initiative reflects PSAU’s ethos of social responsibility extending beyond its immediate locality to the wider Muslim community.

Outcomes: The PSAU team’s efforts during Hajj 2025 were widely praised. They assisted countless pilgrims (many elderly or coming from conflict regions with limited healthcare) by providing medical attention for heat exhaustion, minor injuries, and chronic condition management. Their contribution was formally commended by the Governor of Al-Kharj, who noted the professionalism and compassion shown by the volunteers. Upon returning, the university held a recognition ceremony to honour the student volunteers for “serving the guests of Almighty God.” Participants reported that the experience was immensely rewarding – they improved their clinical and interpersonal skills under pressure and gained a deep appreciation for humanitarian service. The Hajj volunteering programme thus had a dual impact: improving pilgrims’ well-being and enriching the volunteers’ education through real-life service learning. PSAU has committed to continuing this tradition, making it an annual opportunity for students, and is exploring sending multidisciplinary teams (not only health students but also those in logistics and languages) in future pilgrimages for an even more comprehensive support presence.

Humanitarian Education Support Initiatives (2024–2025)

Format: Ongoing partnerships and ad-hoc volunteer missions coordinated with NGOs and international organisations. (These are not single events but a facet of PSAU’s outreach ethos.)

Attendees/Target: Displaced people, refugees, and vulnerable populations in crisis contexts – indirectly reached through the university’s collaborative projects with humanitarian partners.

Scope & Goals: While Saudi Arabia has limited direct refugee presence, PSAU aligns its outreach capabilities with humanitarian needs globally via partnerships. Throughout 2024–2025 the university worked systematically with non-governmental organisations to integrate students into humanitarian and social support projects. This includes preparing volunteers to contribute their skills when opportunities arise – for example, translating educational materials for refugee schools or contributing to online tutoring for displaced learners in other countries. The overarching goal is to ensure PSAU’s expertise in education and training can benefit communities affected by conflict or displacement, in line with SDG principles of quality education for all. PSAU’s recent appointment as a founding partner of the UNEP-THE International Green Skills Accelerator also underlines its commitment to global education challenges (where, for instance, recognition of refugee qualifications and inclusive access to green economy training are international priorities).

Outcomes: During 2024–2025, PSAU students and staff took part in several charitable campaigns – from donation drives for schooling materials sent to refugee camps, to volunteering with local chapters of relief organisations for crisis response training. These efforts, though not always highly publicised, ensure that the university remains ready and “on-call” to support displaced populations educationally. For example, in late 2025 a group of PSAU language instructors began collaborating (remotely) with a Middle Eastern NGO to teach basic Arabic literacy to children in a war-displaced community. Similarly, nursing students who volunteered at Hajj gained experience relevant to refugee camp healthcare and have expressed interest in overseas humanitarian internships. The tangible impact of these activities is beginning to show: PSAU is building a reputation as a university that cares beyond its borders, and its students are gaining the mindset and skills of global citizens. Although no large-scale refugee education programme is hosted at PSAU yet, the foundation has been laid – through training, partnerships and the spirit of volunteerism – for the university to contribute meaningfully to the education and support of displaced people whenever the opportunity arises.

Summary Table: Outreach Events by Target Group (2024–2025)

PSAU Celebrates Saudi and International Volunteer Day

The Deanship of Student Affairs, represented by the Ehsan Volunteer Club, held a number of events on the occasion of the Saudi and International Volunteer Day, which falls on December 5 of each year. On Wednesday, 12/3/2025, a training course entitled "Volunteering in Light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030" was organized, aiming to enhance the culture of volunteering and highlight its role in achieving the goals of the vision. It was presented by Professor Yazid Al-Haqbani, at the College of Engineering Theater on the university campus.

Ehsan Club also launched the "Best Volunteer Idea" competition at the university level.

Ehsan Club participated with a volunteer idea entitled "Starting Point" in the first edition of the Giving Caravan and the accompanying exhibition.

On Thursday, December 5, Ehsan Club participated with a volunteer team consisting of 45 male and female students in the initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Water in Al-Kharj Governorate, by cleaning the park located in the Mishref neighborhood.
For his part, His Excellency the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Issa bin Khalaf Al-Dosari, stated that the university, represented by the Deanship, organizes programs and activities to serve its students and activates participation on such a day, believing in our role towards our society, and to achieve the goals of sustainable development, and what volunteer work represents in making a real difference in the lives of others, as it is a nobility in morals and a generosity in giving without expecting anything in return, and it is a close link between members of society.