It has been a hectic but a prolific year for the office of the VDDQ in 2011. There were numerous tasks and there were obstacles along the way but we managed forward in the direction of our vision and mission, and the College of Architecture and Planning is on the track towards being the ultimate college in education excellence. We have a diverse assembly of professors, associate professors, assistants, engineers, architects and management staff, all in the ranks, who participated directly or indirectly, in achieving the mission of the college, without whom the accomplishments would be frail glory. The office of the VDDQ has managed to advance the core academic functions of teaching and learning, research, professional and creative activity, or public service, and community outreach programs, by the implementation of careful strategic planning with quality agenda. The College carried out strategic analysis in six core issues to define its strength and weaknesses: 1)education and scientific research, 2)students, 3)labs, facilities and infrastructure, 4)human resources, 5)administrative and financial development, and, 6)community service. However, the following narrations intends to highlight some of the major innitiatives which the office of the VDDQ has plausibly accomplished. We have made possible an excellent learning experience by providing the resources and assessments, which culminate in courses that contribute to the achievement of program outcomes in support of students’ overall educational and professional goals. This is evidenced in the report made by the NAAB Substantial Equivalency Accreditation Team, after their 2nd visit to the College recently. In the Visiting Team Report (VTR), they indicated the very high level of compliancy and are amazed at the preparations and accomplishments made by the College to maintain the substantial equivalency accreditation on its track. The auditors for the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management, gave an affirmative report regarding the compliance to the ISO 9001: 2008 standards. There was not a single negative non-compliance criteria detected in all items reviewed as stated in the Gap Analysis Report. The College has proven its excellence in management quality by getting the ISO 9001:2008. God willing, we will ceaselessly put in all efforts to maintain the quality standards. From the students’ perspective, quality learning environment is evident in the availability of quality resources for the advancement of learning. We have built the largest available 3D Virtual Lab, a ‘state-of- the-art’ 3D modeling Lab, Photography lab, Computer labs with softwares and applications, an up-to-date library and materials resource centre, as well as recreational facilities to indulge, in between academic hours, in the college. Furthermore the learning experience is not limited to the classroom or on campus only, but is accessible ‘online’ as well. Also our students are getting professional exposure from different regions of the world, through their summer training in architects’ offices in countries like Germany, France, Malaysia, Turkey and Italy. The College is made up of faculty members from diverse nationalities, background and culture, is a ‘melting pot’ for diversity in academia. The faculty attachments and/or input from industry experts with support programs, provide a platform for advancing and sharing knowledge between the College and its professional counterpart. Some others are attached to specialist organizations to perform in community outreach programs. There are also scheduled lecture programs held for visitors who are experts in their various fields of study, to share their experiences with the College community. All these active strategies boost the teaching and learning development in the college and subsequently enrich our student experiences for work or life. After all, the aim and the primary activities for the office of the VDDQ in the College of Architecture and Planning, is eternally overseeing programs that create beneficial improvements in the core academic functions of teaching and learning, research, professional and creative activity, or public service, and outreach programs, through an ongoing system of quality agenda. We dedicate our gratitude to the Rector of King Saud University, Professor Abdullah Al-Othman, the architect of King Saud University’s ‘Fast Track Development Plan’, for his unequivocal support to see the College thrive through its strategic planning implementation stages, and complete the objectives. I would like to thank the Deputy Rector for Development and Quality, who provided material support to help the College in its Development and Quality agenda. Last but not least, my sincere gratitude, to the Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning for his unrelenting support and encouragement in all accomplishments. I hope, the publication of this second issue of “A.P.E.X KSU”, from the office of the Vice-Dean of Development and Quality, will open more avenues for creative thoughts, and press forward our core academic goals and hence, the status of the College in the Kingdom. God willing, we will steer the College of Architecture and Planning, King Saud University, to the position of the ultimate College in the Arab world and beyond. Dr Yousef M O Fadan Vice-Dean of Development and Quality College of Architecture and Planning King Saud University