The Role of Al Qassim University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Emerging Crises: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis

Abstract

This study aims to identify the role of Al Qassim University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the management of emerging crises: coronavirus (COVID-19). The sample of the study consisted of (169) individuals of faculty deans, vice-deans, heads of departments and teaching staff of Al Qassim University. A survey descriptive method was used through applying a questionnaire consisted of (44) items divided into three domains, namely: the management of teaching and learning process, scientific research and community service. The results of study showed that the management of teaching and learning process domain came in the first rank, then community service domain ranked second and scientific research domain ranked last. The estimates of the study sample to the domains of the questionnaire as a whole was at moderate degree. Also, the results of study indicated that there were no statistically significant differences among average estimates of individuals of the study sample on the domains of the role of Al Qassim University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the management of emerging crises: coronavirus (COVID-19) as a whole, due to the study variables: (faculty, job title, academic rank and experience). The study has concluded a series of recommendations, the most prominent among which are: giving greater attention to deliver counselling and psychological support to students during emerging crises.