Introduction to College of Medicine, King Khalid University

The College of Medicine at King Khalid University, Abha, was established by the Royal Decree No. 3/M/3806 on 8th of January, 1980 [19/2/1400H], as the fourth Medical College in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was followed by the Royal Decree No. 1528 on 4th of May 1981 [29/6/1401H] annexing the College to King Saud University in Riyadh. However, when King Khalid University was established in 1998 [1419H], the College of Medicine became a part of it and continued to impart teaching and training to undergraduate students enrolled in the MBBS program.

In the year 1999 [1420H], King Khalid University Board agreed to participate in the teaching of the Applied Medical Sciences Programs and the College came to be known as "College of Medicine and Applied Medical Sciences". However, following the expansion of activities in King Khalid University, the Applied Medical Sciences segregated as a separate college in 2003 [1424H] and the College of Medicine regained its original name.   

Keeping pace with the developments in the field of Medical Education, the college established a Medical Education Development Center [MEDC] to undertake the task of developing a standardized medical educational curriculum envisioning a semester academic system replacing an existing annual system. 

With the gradual introduction of a semester system in 2004-2005 (1425-1426H) courses such as Applied Molecular Biology, Evidence Based Medicine, Basic Clinical Skills, Medical Ethics and Neurosciences were introduced. Advanced clinical simulation equipment was procured for providing training to complement the introduced advances in curriculum. 

The first batch of female students was enrolled in the MBBS Program during 2002-2003 [1423-1424H] and were imparted training at a separate campus location especially dedicated for female students. Recruitment of qualified and experienced female staff was undertaken for this campus.  As a result of this endeavor the first batch of female students passed out during 2008-2009 [1429-1430H] to initiate their internship.

Contributing towards the well-being of the local community, consultant faculty members are offering their services to local medical establishments and facilities. These include Aseer Central Hospital, Abha General Hospital, Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region at Khamis Mushayt, Khamis Mushayt Hospital (Ministry of Health), and various Primary Care Centers in the Aseer Region. They also supervise vital health care centers like the anti-TB Clinics and Infectious Diseases Clinics. Trained college faculty members are involved in conducting health awareness campaigns in remote areas in the Aseer province.

The college expands its activities beyond the region's territory to the rest of the Kingdom in the actual participation in the development of Medical Education and Health Services. It houses the Saudi Society of Medical Education (SSME). The college has an outstanding record for conducting medical research in both qualitative and quantitative terms, which has led to a tangible positive effect on the overall medical research in the Kingdom. 

The college integrates a Center for Postgraduate study and Continuing Medical Education (CME), which are supervising eight fellowship programs under the purview of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS), in addition to courses under the umbrella of continuing medical education centre.     

Besides contributing to the teaching and training of students enrolled in the MBBS program, the faculty members of college of medicine actively participate and share in teaching courses of other programs such as B.Sc. (Dentistry), B.Sc. (Nursing) and B.Sc. (Pharmacology). Post graduate Program (M.Sc. Microbiology) was initiated at the college during in 2023 (1445H) and similar other programs are being presently planned to be initiated.

In 2022, King Khalid University began the relocation from the Abha campus to the Al-Faraa campus, marking a major step toward improving the educational environment with modern buildings and advanced facilities. This transition reflects the university’s commitment to providing a more conducive setting for learning and research. The female students of the College of Medicine are scheduled to move to the new campus in 2026, ensuring equal access to these enhanced resources. Additionally, the main university hospital of King Khalid University Medical City has officially opened and is now receiving patients across various medical specialties, significantly contributing to healthcare services in the region and strengthening the university’s role in serving the community. 

In 2022-2023 (1444H), the College of Medicine launched the development of an integrated MBBS program as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize medical education and align it with international standards. This new program adopts an annual system instead of the traditional semester-based structure, providing a more cohesive and continuous learning experience for students. The integrated curriculum emphasizes the interconnection between basic and clinical sciences, promoting early clinical exposure, problem-based learning, and competency-driven outcomes. By restructuring the academic framework, the College aims to foster deeper understanding, enhance student engagement, and better prepare graduates to meet evolving healthcare needs with strong scientific knowledge, clinical skills, and professional values.