Oxford Business Group and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University release report on women’s empowerment and academic excellence in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, March 2025: A new report examining Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University’s (PNU) role in advancing women’s empowerment and academic excellence in Saudi Arabia has been released. Produced by Oxford Business Group (OBG) in partnership with PNU, the report, PNU: Empowering Women to Shape the Future of Saudi Arabia, comes as the Kingdom continues its drive to enhance female participation in the workforce and align higher education with Vision 2030 objectives.
The publication provides in-depth analysis of how PNU is fostering female participation in national development through initiatives such as the National Observatory for Women, the Sarah Al-Sudairi Center for Women’s Studies, and the Women’s Leadership Center. It also highlights the impact of the Princess Nourah Prize for Women Excellence, which recognises outstanding achievements by Saudi women across various fields.
The report outlines how PNU is responding to shifts in the workforce by expanding its academic offerings, with 14 graduate and 39 undergraduate programmes in key sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, renewable energy, and filmmaking. These initiatives are equipping graduates with the skills required for Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving industries, including tourism, entertainment, and technology.
The research, conducted by OBG over more than six months, features case studies and numerous interviews with key figures from the university, providing insights into PNU’s strategic vision and its efforts to enhance female leadership, entrepreneurship, and academic excellence.
Einas Suleiman Al Eisa, President of PNU, underscored the university’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.
“PNU remains a place where young women can realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification,” she said.
As PNU advances into the next phase of its strategic vision, the university is leveraging innovation as a catalyst for growth, with the launch of its artificial intelligence strategy and a shift towards a more agile, technology-driven model. By aligning with Vision 2030, PNU continues to play a key role in advancing sustainability, economic diversification, and gender equality.
As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its Vision 2030 objectives, PNU remains a key player in shaping the future of higher education and women’s leadership. Through its commitment to academic excellence, research, and innovation, the university is helping to drive sustainable development and economic diversification.
About Oxford Business Group
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global research and advisory company with a presence in over 30 countries, spanning Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. It is recognised internationally as a distinctive and respected provider of on-the-ground intelligence on world’s fastest-growing markets, termed The Yellow Slice, in reference to OBG’s corporate colour.
Through its range of products – Economic News and Views; OBG CEO Surveys; OBG Events and Conferences; Global Platform, which hosts exclusive video interviews; and The Report publications – as well as its Advisory division, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sector-level developments for sound investment opportunities and business decisions.
OBG provides business intelligence to its subscribers through multiple platforms, including its direct subscribers, Dow Jones Factiva subscribers, the Bloomberg Professional Services subscribers, Refinitiv’s (previously Thomson Reuters) Eikon subscribers, and more.
