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King Khalid University has received the Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Award for Excellence in Social Work in its 13th edition for 2025, winning the Excellence in Environmental Sustainability category for government entities, nonprofit organizations, companies, and individuals.

The University’s achievement was announced during a press conference held by the Award Foundation in Riyadh. This edition is being held under the theme “Social Intelligence in the Service of Humanity.” The event was attended by several royal highnesses and senior officials, government leaders, and representatives of the social and media sectors.

The University Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Professor Hamed bin Majdoua Al-Qarni, explained that the University received the award for an initiative by the Bee Research and Honey Production Center, which operates under the University Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research.

The initiative presented an applied scientific model for utilizing research to serve the environment and society. Its research activities contributed to protecting biodiversity, developing sustainable environmental practices, and achieving a tangible social impact. It embodied the concept of social intelligence by developing environmental solutions based on an understanding of local community needs and transforming scientific knowledge into practical applications that benefit people and the environment.

Al-Qarni emphasized that this achievement reflects the University’s commitment to supporting applied scientific research and fostering initiatives that respond to community needs and transform scientific knowledge into tangible environmental and social impact. He added that the University continues to strengthen this approach through an integrated institutional ecosystem that connects scientific research with real-world applications.

The Director of the Bee Research and Honey Production Center at King Khalid University, Professor Hamed bin Ali Al-Gharamah, explained that the initiative arose from an urgent national need to protect local honeybee breeds from the risks of crossbreeding and climate change, alongside growing environmental challenges and declining vegetation cover in several regions.

He stated that the Center works to strengthen the integration of scientific research with environmental and community applications through initiatives designed to empower beekeepers and rural families, increase their incomes, and ensure the sustainability of their activities. These efforts also address the growing demand for honey analysis services, ensure the quality of natural products, and enhance governance and institutional regulation across the beekeeping sector and its related products. This contributes to protecting natural resources, supporting environmental sustainability, and creating a tangible community impact.

The Bee Research and Honey Production Center received the award jointly with the Hail Region Municipality’s “Hail Al-Ajmal” initiative.