King Abdulaziz University Launches Academic Leadership Fellowship Program

King Abdulaziz University (KAU), represented by the Center for University Education Development, launched the 11th cohort of its Academic Leadership Fellowship Program under the patronage and in the presence of University President Dr. Tareef bin Yousuf Alaama. The launch took place on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Center’s theater.

During the event, Dr. Alaama delivered a workshop titled “Positive Leadership,” in which he addressed a range of leadership concepts, including positive deviance, diversity of ideas, identifying gaps and areas of strength, mind mapping, beliefs, and the importance of focusing on positive opportunities.

He also highlighted the value of gratitude and appreciation, as well as the principle of achieving continuous improvement through a 1% daily change that can lead to significant long-term results. The workshop further addressed the importance of balancing positive and corrective feedback by applying a 4:1 ratio, with four positive comments or affirmations for every one negative or corrective comment.

The program’s introductory session highlighted the fellowship’s objectives, duration, target participants and competencies, as well as the framework used to develop the Academic Leadership Fellowship model and the mechanisms for assessment and successful completion.

The Academic Leadership Fellowship is a professional development and training program designed for leaders of academic departments across the University. It focuses on key competencies developed in light of the latest research and international best practices to support more effective and efficient leadership of academic departments.

Learning objectives and outcomes are defined for each competency using the internationally recognized KSA model, which focuses on three dimensions: Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes.

The fellowship’s competencies are divided into three main categories: academic, administrative and leadership competencies. Together, they comprise 21 competencies designed to strengthen the capabilities of department chairs and female department supervisors. These competencies are aligned with King Abdulaziz University’s core values of sustainability, innovation, excellence, citizenship, collaboration, benevolence and piety.

Prof. Hani bin Sami Bardesi, Director of the Center for University Education Development, explained that the Academic Leadership Fellowship Program aims to enhance the performance and productivity of the University’s academic departments by developing their leaders. It also supports department chairs and supervisors in designing development projects that contribute to advancing their academic departments.

He added that the program seeks to build a strong pipeline of qualified academic leaders among department chairs and supervisors, preparing them to assume a range of academic leadership positions across the University.

The program includes 60 hours of training delivered over one academic semester, followed by a four-month implementation period. It targets current department chairs and female department supervisors, as well as faculty members nominated to assume leadership roles within academic departments.