His Excellency Dr. Mufrej bin Saad Al-Haqbani, Minister of Labor and Social Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Social Studies and Research, received the trainees selected to join the &nbspDistinguished Social Researcher Program&nbsp after a series of tests, interviews and scientific selection criteria. The program aims to prepare highly qualified social researchers and equip them with essential and advanced knowledge, skills and experience for planning and conducting scientific research in social and development fields. The initiative supports social research by building a group of capable social researchers and equipping them with modern practical research skills and tools needed by Saudi society at the present stage. The program is sponsored by Saudi Aramco under the memorandum of understanding signed between the two parties on 20/3/1437 AH, corresponding to 31/12/2015, and is implemented in scientific cooperation with the Saudi Association for Social Studies and Southern Illinois University in the United States.

His Excellency presented the candidates with the program package, which includes a scientific program beginning on 1/7/2016 for two months in the United States and a practical program beginning in Riyadh on 1/9/2016 for four months under direct scientific supervision by experts from the Saudi Association for Social Studies. He encouraged the trainees to make every effort to benefit fully from this distinguished program, which is expected to contribute to a qualitative improvement in the practice and preparation of social research.