A Journey with YU Alumni

Twenty Years, One Community: A Journey with YU Alumni

By Asaad Al Asaad
Senior INTERLINK Faculty, Founding Coordinator of the Alumni Association

As I stood among the alumni of the Class of 2009—our very first graduating cohort—during the celebration of Al Yamamah University’s 20th anniversary, I was overcome with a deep sense of pride and gratitude. These were students I had taught, mentored, and worked alongside in campus activities, now returning as accomplished professionals and leaders across key sectors in the Kingdom.

Their presence became even more meaningful as they joined us in honoring Dr. Ahmed Aleisa, our founding president. The inauguration of the Dr. Ahmed Aleisa Hall was a powerful moment of remembrance and gratitude—recognizing the lasting impact of the foundation he laid, together with Sheikh Khalid Alkhudair, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. As visionary partners, their leadership brought Al Yamamah University into being and set it on a path of excellence.

As the longest-serving faculty member at INTERLINK International Institute–YU, and someone who holds a deep and lasting bond with our alumni, I was honored to be entrusted by the university’s leadership with a mission close to my heart: to call upon our graduates to unite and lay the foundation for the Al Yamamah University Alumni Association. Today, watching this vision come to life is one of the most fulfilling moments of my twenty-year journey. Not only as an educator, but as someone who, along with passionate colleagues and visionary leaders, helped shape the spirit of this institution through student life, community engagement, and a belief that education extends far beyond the classroom. This association is not just a milestone—it is a living legacy of everything we’ve built together.

There is something incredibly rewarding in watching one’s students become leaders, decision-makers, and changemakers. The results of teaching may often feel intangible, but when alumni return with stories of impact, innovation, and service, it becomes beautifully real.

To all our alumni, this is your community, your network, your legacy. I urge you to stay connected—not just for nostalgia, but for purpose. Help us build bridges between alumni, mentor students who walk the path you once did, and serve the community that shaped us all.

Together, we can strengthen the mission and vision of the Alumni Association—because the story of YU is still being written, and you are an essential part of it.