**A Faculty Member from the College of Pharmacy Participates in the Training of Trainers (TOT) Program for the “Riyada” Initiative**
Under the auspices of the Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Excellence at the Prime Minister’s Office, Assistant Lecturer Haider Fouad Ibrahim, a faculty member at the College of Pharmacy, participated in the Training of Trainers (TOT) program for the “Riyada” (Entrepreneurship) Initiative. The program was held from June 5 to June 8, 2026, at the Innovation Hall within the Northern Technical University.
The primary objective of the program was to qualify and prepare specialized trainers capable of cultivating an entrepreneurial culture and empowering youth within the university ecosystem. This was achieved by building their instructional capacities and enhancing their skills in knowledge transfer and guiding young individuals toward establishing successful startup ventures.
This participation aligns with the continuous support for national initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and creativity, as well as developing a stimulating entrepreneurial environment within universities. Such efforts contribute to transforming promising ideas into productive enterprises that drive sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, this initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably Goal 4 (Quality Education) by developing academic staff capabilities; Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting entrepreneurship and supporting startups; Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by encouraging innovation; and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration between academic institutions and government bodies to execute national initiatives.
The training program was directly overseen and attended by Dr. Hussein Falamarz, Director of the “Riyada” Initiative Directorate at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. Dr. Falamarz emphasized the pivotal role of universities in nurturing entrepreneurial ideas and equipping cohorts with the necessary skills and knowledge to launch qualitative projects that support the national economy and create job opportunities.
The training curriculum featured specialized modules focusing on modern instructional methodologies, core entrepreneurship concepts, business startup mechanisms, and trainer skill development in accordance with the latest international practices in TOT programs. This comprehensive approach ensures the trainers’ capability to educate future entrepreneurs who can effectively meet labor market demands.
The College of Pharmacy reaffirms its commitment to supporting the participation of its faculty members in such specialized development programs. These initiatives enhance academic performance and promote a culture of innovation and leadership, thereby positively impacting the quality of higher education and community service, and strengthening the college’s role in advancing sustainable development.