Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Aug 22, 2025

KAUST launches women’s empowerment awareness campaign

KAUST launches women’s empowerment awareness campaign

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) launched on Wednesday a nationwide awareness campaign #HereToLead to recognize the achievements and results of women at KAUST, promoting gender equality and reinforcing women’s advancement and empowerment in Saudi Arabia.
As part of the campaign, a survey was conducted at KAUST among Saudi women over the span of two weeks, including students and staff.

The results indicate that Saudi women at KAUST consider that the university fosters a community committed to pushing for equal opportunities and pioneering initiatives to encourage women’s professional development and empowerment.

The campaign is expected to run throughout the entire year to showcase the success stories of the Saudi women at KAUST, highlighting their contributions to Saudi society and the economy.

Dr. Najah Ashry, vice president of KAUST Strategic National Advancement, commented: “Through the #HereToLead campaign we want to recognize the valuable role and contribution Saudi women bring to our society and further encourage them to find their passion and continue to search for a place that meets their aspirations in work and life.

“We have seen tremendous interest from women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Our firm belief is that through the #HereToLead platform, we will be able to give them a voice to empower and encourage more women to embark on this professional journey.”

As Professor Tony Chan, President of KAUST, highlights: “KAUST is fully aligned with Vision 2030, specifically with the Kingdom’s objective of increasing the participation of women in the workforce.

“We are proud to say that 40% of our students are women, and we remain steadfast in creating innumerable opportunities for them as they prepare to embark on their professional journeys.

“As a leading educational institute, we also have a responsibility to recognize and appreciate the accomplishments of our female staff as well as women across Saudi Arabia for the contributions they continue to make to society.

“We look forward to building on our efforts to date to recognize and empower women at KAUST and across the Kingdom through special initiatives that we plan to announce in the future.”

As the first campus university offering Ph.D. degrees in engineering for women in the Kingdom and allowing gender integration since its opening in 2009, KAUST is considered a beacon of knowledge where women have the groundbreaking opportunity to pursue their graduate degrees and be equipped with practical skills and experiences.

Surveyed Saudi women agree that KAUST supports women to achieve their goals, build up their confidence and offer a path to independence. “KAUST is an institutional role model in encouraging every woman to seek all opportunities even in male-dominated fields,” a survey respondent stated.

All respondents consider that KAUST fosters a non-discriminatory environment, promoting a gender equality culture where women feel they can reach their fullest potential.

Describing how the University offers a much-needed space for women to excel in STEM fields, a survey responder commented: “KAUST provided me with the opportunity to grow in a field that I am extremely passionate about. Computer Science is a field dominated by men, but I have KAUST’s support, resources, and community to help build me up in this field as a Saudi woman and women after me.”

Surveyed women at KAUST agree that the institution undertakes diversified initiatives to equip women with opportunities and all the required to succeed in their careers.

“KAUST is supporting women’s advancement by running programs such as the KAUST Gifted Students Program targeting young Saudi women and other initiatives that celebrate women’s talents. Hiring women in leadership and faculty positions within KAUST [also] inspire this generation,” a respondent stated.

In the Middle East region, women account for nearly half of the total STEM students. Supporting and recognizing the need for women's advancement is fundamental to help fill the critical needs in STEM fields, given Saudi Arabia’s diversification and expansion of economy.

KAUST has been implementing a wide range of initiatives to boost women’s participation in STEM and in the Saudi workforce. The University invested in supporting women interested in STEM by providing a high-quality learning environment as well as a collaborative and diverse community of students.

KAUST is also one of the first Saudi institutes with women rising to executive leadership positions. The #HereToLead campaign will provide a platform for all Saudi women at KAUST to share their experiences and promote awareness of the professional opportunities available to women pursuing their careers in Saudi Arabia.

As a leader in science and technology, KAUST is committed to creating opportunities for women in STEM. To that end, a series of programs have been launched, including the Early Career Accelerator Program, the first program for women in cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia; and the Women to Impact initiative to support women in their academics as well as professions.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Dogfights in the Skies: Airbus on Track to Overtake Boeing and Claim Aviation Supremacy
Tim Cook Promises an AI Revolution at Apple: "One of the Most Significant Technologies of Our Generation"
Are AI Data Centres the Infrastructure of the Future or the Next Crisis?
Miles Worth Billions: How Airlines Generate Huge Profits
Zelenskyy Returns to White House Flanked by European Allies as Trump Pressures Land-Swap Deal with Putin
Beijing is moving into gold and other assets, diversifying away from the dollar
Trump Backs Putin’s Land-for-Peace Proposal Amid Kyiv’s Rejection
Zelenskyy to Visit Washington after Trump–Putin Summit Yields No Agreement
Iranian Protection Offers Chinese Vehicle Shipments a Cost Advantage over Japanese and Korean Makers
United States Sells Luxury Yacht Amadea, Valued at Approximately $325 Million, in First Sale of a Seized Russian Yacht Since the Invasion of Ukraine
Saudi Arabia accelerates renewables to curb domestic oil use
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez announce engagement
Asia-Pacific dominates world’s busiest flight routes, with South Korea’s Jeju–Seoul corridor leading global rankings
Private Welsh island with 19th-century fort listed for sale at over £3 million
Sam Altman challenges Elon Musk with plans for Neuralink rival
Australia to Recognize the State of Palestine at UN Assembly
The Collapse of the Programmer Dream: AI Experts Now the Real High-Earners
Armenia and Azerbaijan to Sign US-Brokered Framework Agreement for Nakhchivan Corridor
British Labour Government Utilizes Counter-Terrorism Tools for Social Media Monitoring Against Legitimate Critics
WhatsApp Deletes 6.8 Million Scam Accounts Amid Rising Global Fraud
Texas Residents Face Water Restrictions While AI Data Centers Consume Millions of Gallons
India Rejects U.S. Tariff Threat, Defends Russian Oil Purchases
United States Establishes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile
Thousands of Private ChatGPT Conversations Accidentally Indexed by Google
China Tightens Mineral Controls, Curtailing Critical Inputs for Western Defence Contractors
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Germany’s Economic Breakdown and the Return of Militarization: From Industrial Collapse to a New Offensive Strategy
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Germany Seeks Taliban Deal to Deport Afghan Migrants
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
×