Princess Nourah University Center Highlights Year of Women’s Empowerment

The Women’s Leadership Center at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University concluded a year of programs and strategic partnerships dedicated to empowering Saudi women, reinforcing its role in supporting the Kingdom’s labor market needs and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. According to information released through official Saudi channels, the Center advanced its leadership mission throughout the past academic year by delivering an integrated system of programs, initiatives, and strategic partnerships that strengthen women’s participation in national development.

Context and Background

Established within Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, the Women’s Leadership Center works to prepare and empower Saudi women for leadership roles across the public and private sectors. Its mandate aligns closely with national efforts to expand women’s economic participation, a central pillar of Saudi Vision 2030 and its aim of building a competitive, knowledge-based society driven by national talent.

Over the past academic year, the Center’s achievements elevated its standing both domestically and internationally. It was selected as a national case study on women’s empowerment in the Oxford Business Group global report for 2025, and it received recognition from the Ministry of Education for the second consecutive year for implementing the second phase of the Promising Leaders Program. It was also honored at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia during the Creative Women Forum.

Key Details

On the national level, the Center launched the third edition of the Health Ministry Women Leaders Program in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, graduating 70 women leaders across three cohorts with the goal of qualifying mid-level female leaders to drive institutional transformation. It also implemented the second edition of the national Qiyadiyah program and the second phase of leadership dialogue sessions under the Talent and Promising Leaders Program with the Ministry of Education, engaging more than 600 employees.

In career and leadership mentoring, the Center delivered the fifth edition of the Qudwa Leadership Mentoring Program, honoring its fourth cohort and launching the fifth with the participation of inspiring leaders from international institutions. Additional initiatives included the Walk and Mentor event, which combined physical activity with career guidance, and a Ramadan evening titled Empowering Women’s Leadership in Islamic Culture.

The Center’s Sama’at Book Club organized five dialogue sessions on leadership and strategic thinking, while the Rifqah leadership support platform delivered four specialized sessions covering self-awareness, decision-making, professional confidence, and personal balance. It also held its first leadership mentoring session inside a cinema, exploring leadership styles through film analysis linked to professional practice.

In specialized training, the Center implemented the third level of the Leadership Presence series, focused on media engagement and crisis communication, and launched the ICF Certified Coach Training program in line with International Coaching Federation standards, alongside a leadership coaching skills program for university leaders.

Internationally, the Center hosted the Creative Women Forum, which featured an international art exhibition with participation from more than 25 countries and over 20 specialized workshops and sessions. It also took part in the twenty-first General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO GC21), in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, through an interactive pavilion and contributions from university leaders and students in official sessions.

In a further step to strengthen strategic partnerships, the Center signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to develop and implement national programs and initiatives that empower women’s talents in the industrial and mining sectors.

Implications and Impact

The Center’s activities reflect a broader national effort to expand women’s access to leadership positions, enhance their professional readiness, and connect them with international platforms. Its recognition by the Oxford Business Group and its engagement with UNIDO highlight Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global conversations on women’s empowerment and sustainable industrial development.

The memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources signals a targeted push to bring more Saudi women into two sectors central to the Kingdom’s economic diversification strategy, creating new pathways for talent development and industrial growth.

Vision 2030 Alignment

These accomplishments translate the Center’s vision into tangible impact in building and developing women’s leadership capacities locally and regionally, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives of building a competitive knowledge society based on national competencies. As Saudi Arabia continues its transformation, institutions such as the Women’s Leadership Center at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University remain essential to ensuring that women play a leading role in the Kingdom’s future economy and society.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Women’s Leadership Center at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University?

A1. It is a specialized center dedicated to empowering women and developing female leaders through integrated programs, initiatives, and strategic partnerships that support the Kingdom’s labor market and Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

Q2. Where is the Center located?

A2. The Center operates within Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and serves as a national hub for women’s leadership development.

Q3. How was the Center recognized internationally in 2025?

A3. It was selected as a national case study on women’s empowerment in the Oxford Business Group global report for 2025, reflecting its growing international standing and recognized expertise.

Q4. What recognition did the Center receive from the Ministry of Education?

A4. It was honored by the Ministry of Education for the second consecutive year in appreciation of its implementation of the second phase of the Promising Leaders Program.

Q5. Where was the Center honored during the Creative Women Forum?

A5. It was honored at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia during the Creative Women Forum, underscoring its contribution to showcasing Saudi women’s achievements.

Q6. What is the Health Ministry Women Leaders Program?

A6. It is a program launched by the Center in cooperation with the Ministry of Health to qualify mid-level female leaders to lead institutional transformation across the health sector.

Q7. How many women leaders graduated from the Health Ministry Women Leaders Program?

A7. The Center concluded three cohorts of the program, graduating 70 women leaders committed to advancing institutional transformation and strengthening the health sector’s leadership capacity.

Q8. What is the national Qiyadiyah program?

A8. It is a national leadership program implemented by the Center, now in its second edition, designed to develop women’s leadership skills and prepare them for senior professional roles.

Q9. How many employees participated in the leadership dialogue sessions?

A9. More than 600 male and female employees participated in the second phase of the leadership dialogue sessions under the Talent and Promising Leaders Program with the Ministry of Education.

Q10. What is the Qudwa Leadership Mentoring Program?

A10. Qudwa is a leadership mentoring program now in its fifth edition, honoring its fourth cohort and launching its fifth with inspiring leaders from international institutions.

Q11. What is the Walk and Mentor event?

A11. It is a distinctive initiative that combines physical activity with career mentoring, encouraging participants to build professional networks while promoting health and well-being.

Q12. What Ramadan event did the Center organize?

A12. The Center held a Ramadan evening titled Empowering Women’s Leadership in Islamic Culture, exploring the intersection of leadership principles and Islamic cultural values.

Q13. What is the Sama’at Book Club?

A13. It is a Center initiative that organized five dialogue sessions covering specialized topics in leadership and strategic thinking, fostering knowledge exchange among participants.

Q14. What is the Rifqah platform?

A14. Rifqah is a leadership support platform that delivered four specialized sessions on self-awareness, decision-making, professional confidence, and personal balance for women leaders.

Q15. What was unique about the Center’s first cinema-based mentoring session?

A15. It was the first leadership mentoring session held inside a cinema, exploring leadership styles through the analysis of a cinematic experience and linking it to professional reality.

Q16. What does the Leadership Presence series cover?

A16. The series, now in its third level, specializes in media appearance, crisis communication management, and effective communication skills for leaders in high-visibility roles.

Q17. What is the ICF Certified Coach Training program?

A17. It is a program launched by the Center to qualify participants according to International Coaching Federation standards, enhancing professional coaching capabilities within the Kingdom.

Q18. What was the scale of the Creative Women Forum hosted by the Center?

A18. The forum included an international art exhibition with participation from more than 25 countries and featured over 20 specialized workshops and sessions.

Q19. How did the Center participate in UNIDO GC21?

A19. The Center participated in the twenty-first General Conference of UNIDO in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources through an interactive pavilion and contributions in official sessions.

Q20. What does the memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources aim to achieve?

A20. It aims to develop and implement national programs and initiatives that empower women’s talents in the industrial and mining sectors, supporting economic diversification under Vision 2030.

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