What is it like to have a disability at a Saudi Arabian university?

Hamad Al-Baddah was born with a physical disability which limits his mobility, but he has not let that hold him back. He used his unbreakable determination and ambition to overcome the obstacles he faced because of his disability. 

From a young age, Al-Baddah was aware of his mental and scientific potential. In 2013, he earned a bachelor’s in computer engineering from Qassim University and then in 2018 he went on to gain a master’s in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.  

He was confident of his ability and was supported by Qassim University who helped him achieve his undergraduate degree. As part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, Qassim University provides help and support for disabled students throughout their time studying in Saudi Arabia. 

The university has introduced a set of medical, psychological, social, educational, media and regular measures with the aim of helping students with disabilities adapt to the requirements of the environment and giving them the facilities they need to be self-reliant, such as additional online resources and a disability allowance.  

Al-Baddah said "Everything is possible if you have ambition. At the beginning of my entry into the university, I faced many obstacles, but thanks to God, as well as my seriousness, diligence, and perseverance, I overcame all these obstacles. This would not happen without the support of my parents, family, friends, faculty, staff and students at Qassim University.”  

After facing and overcoming academic challenges, Al-Baddah returned to Qassim University. He is now a lecturer at Qassim University’s College of Computer Science, one of the university’s 36 departments.    

Al-Baddah hopes to continue teaching and doing scientific research, advancing his career and helping to enrich the scientific research in the Kingdom. He hopes to positively contribute to the prosperity and progress of his country and Qassim University. 

His ambition coincides with Qassim University’s mission to provide high-quality education, produce competent graduates who meet the needs of the labour market, conduct applied research and offer quality community services to develop the Qassim Region and to contribute to the building of a knowledge-based economy. 

Abdul al-Rahman al-Saadoun is a student of the Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qassim University. He was born with a visual impairment and from a young age joined the Institute of Light in Buraidah, a school specialising in teaching blind people, before moving to a secondary school which helped him integrate with sighted people.  

After completing high school, Abdul was accepted into Qassim University’s College of Sharia and Islamic Studies in the Department of Islamic Studies.  

At Qassim University, the faculty of Sharia and Fundamentals of Religion described Abdul as “a distinguished student who saw with his insight what he did not see with his eyes.” 

Dr. Khalid Aba Al-Khail, Dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies, said: “Abdul Rahman Al-Saadoun is one of the role models we are proud of in the college. He is an inspiring example for many students in steadfastness and the ability to overcome difficulties and resist all obstacles.” 

While studying, Abdul took part in a variety of student activities as part of of the Deanship of Student Affairs. He was very successful, taking part in a number of tournaments, including the Kingdom’s goalball championship for people with disabilities.  

Dr. Ali Al-Aqla, the Dean of Student Affairs at Qassim University, said: "Abdul Rahman Al-Saadoun's visual impairment did not prevent him from achieving academic excellence, nor did it prevent him from excelling in scholastic activities held by the Deanship of Student Affairs at Qassim University.” 

Dr Al-Aqla continued: “These participations and this disability did not prevent this brilliant student from achieving academic success”. 

Abdul Rahman graduated ‘with excellence’ earning a cumulative GPA of 4.97 out of five.  

His exceptional results prompted the officials of Qassim University, headed by the president of the university Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Daoud, to grant Abdul Rahman Al-Saadoun a free scholarship for a master’s degree in recognition of his perseverance and excellence.