The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing tremendous transformations in its social and economic structures, leading to significant changes in the demographic and social makeup of its population, as well as a rapid shift in the pattern of health problems. While life expectancy and birth rates have risen substantially, the persistence of genetic health issues and infectious diseases in certain regions of the Kingdom (such as malaria and dengue fever) has coincided with the emergence of new acute and chronic infections (such as Rift Valley fever and drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis).
Moreover, diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, traffic accidents, and various types of cancers associated with unhealthy lifestyles are reaching alarmingly high levels. It is anticipated that Saudi Arabia will face new challenges due to the increasing demand for healthcare services among specific groups, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and the growing number of pilgrims visiting the holy sites.
To address these challenges, there is a pressing need to reform the healthcare system and enact public health laws and policies that facilitate systematic public health measures and practices. Needless to say, there must be a sufficient number of experts across various public health disciplines to design appropriate programs and implement necessary interventions.
Additionally, it is essential to ensure that all public health personnel—including public health educators, practitioners, and technicians—are well trained in health planning and decision-making across all public health domains. Therefore, there is an urgent need to strengthen the national public health system and define suitable measures to promote education and on-the-job training within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
To tackle these issues, it is crucial to foster collaboration and engagement with universities and Ministries of Health in the Kingdom to encourage the establishment of undergraduate and postgraduate schools and institutes of public health. Furthermore, it is vital to initiate training programs with a clear plan to enhance public health education and practice, as well as to support decision-making in public and community health research.
The Bachelor of Public Health program has been developed based on the National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education issued by the National Center for Academic Accreditation and Evaluation, as well as the guidelines of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. In addition, the program has been benchmarked and compared with institutions accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), as well as with three institutions outside the United States of America.
The program includes courses in basic sciences and a variety of subjects across different areas of public health. It also places strong emphasis on developing and enhancing students' practical and professional skills in the field of public health.
Goals
1. Provide a high-quality educational experience in an academic environment of excellence through a relevant and responsive curriculum.
2. Support a scientifically rigorous program of public health research.
3. Establish a leading-edge faculty and high-quality students to create a dynamic learning community that is committed to excellence.
4. Provide linkages and collaborations with communities and public health agencies to serve and contribute to initiatives that impact community and public health needs.
5. Advance the mission of King Faisal University through relevant contributions to public health.
Objectives
1. Provide a competency-based curriculum comparable with international standards.
2. Establish a core of faculty who are public health leaders with integrated, innovative, and relevant educational experience.
3. Provide a supportive and enriching learning environment.
4. Develop and maintain
academic infrastructure that supports the accreditation of the program.
5. Provide research opportunities in public health domains and promote interdisciplinary research through collaboration.
6. Engage faculty, students, and public health professionals to create a diverse and dynamic learning community that is committed to excellence.
7. Develop and support linkages with grass-roots and community-based health agencies that advance learning and research.
8. Establish and define a long-term commitment to
enhance public health practice in the Kingdom.
