Umm Al-Qura University (UQU / جامعة أم القرى)

Umm Al-Qura University (UQU / جامعة أم القرى) is a recognised university in Saudi Arabia. Below is what AlmiStudy records about it — only verified fields are shown; anything not confirmed is deliberately left out rather than guessed.

CityMakkah

RegionAsia

TypePublic

SubjectsTheology & Religious Studies; Languages & Linguistics; Law; Arts & Humanities; Engineering & Technology; Natural Sciences; Business & Management; Arts & Humanities; Social Sciences; Law; Computer Science & IT; Medicine & Health Sciences

AccreditationMinistry of Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (وزارة التعليم) plus Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC / هيئة تقويم التعليم والتدريب) for quality assurance — apex regulators for Saudi HEIs. Saudi HE classifications: (1) PUBLIC NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES — ~30 universities including 5 oldest (King Saud 1957, Islamic University Madinah 1961, KFUPM 1963, King Abdulaziz 1967, IMSIU 1974) + regional comprehensives + Vision 2030 newer institutions; (2) ROYAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH — KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 2009 founded by King Abdullah's royal endowment, $20B+ endowment, independent of Ministry); (3) HARAMAIN ISLAMIC UNIVERSITIES — Umm Al-Qura Makkah (1981, heritage to 1949 College of Sharia) + Islamic University Madinah (1961) — premier Sunni Islamic studies institutions for entire Muslim world; (4) PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES — ~10 including Prince Sultan, Effat (first women's private), Alfaisal, Dar Al Hekma, Prince Mohammad bin Fahd; (5) SPECIALISED — Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, medical specialty colleges. Plus Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu industrial colleges. Arabic is national language + HE primary medium for Islamic studies + humanities; ENGLISH primary for STEM/medicine/business/research universities. Vision 2030 launched 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reshaping HE for diversification beyond oil economy.

Official websitehttps://uqu.edu.sa

Accreditation registryhttps://www.moe.gov.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx

Founded 1981 (chartered as comprehensive university; HERITAGE TO 1949 COLLEGE OF SHARIA IN MAKKAH — among OLDEST modern Saudi HE institutions; named "Umm Al-Qura" = "Mother of Cities" — Quranic name for Makkah). MAJOR MAKKAH-BASED UNIVERSITY with HISTORIC HERITAGE. Chartered 1981 as Umm Al-Qura University. HERITAGE TO 1949 COLLEGE OF SHARIA in Makkah — among OLDEST modern Saudi HE institutions (pre-dating King Saud University 1957 by 8 years!). Named "UMM AL-QURA" = "MOTHER OF CITIES" — Quranic name for MAKKAH (Surah Al-An'am 6:92). Located in MAKKAH — HOLIEST CITY OF ISLAM, birthplace of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, location of Ka'aba + Masjid al-Haram. ~80,000+ students. 22 colleges combining Islamic studies (Sharia, Da'wah, Quranic Sciences) + secular fields (engineering, medicine, business). UNIQUE: ONLY non-Muslims barred from campus given Makkah's Haram boundaries. Major hub for Hajj + Umrah operations training.

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