Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information

Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 1

THE SAUDI WOMAN IN HIGHER EDUCATION Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information General Department for Planning and Statistics 2013

Ministry of Higher Education, General Department for Planning & Statistics, 2010 King Fahd National Library Cataloging in- Publication Data.Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Higher Education Deputyship for planning and Information The Saudi Woman In Higher Education Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Higher Education. Deputyship for Planning and Information Riyadh, 2013.2-48p ; 24 21cm ISBN: 978-603-17-0069-0 Saudi Arabia - Higher Education 2 Women in 1- education - Saudi Arabia I-Title dc 1431/4349 378.531 L.D. no. 1431/4349 ISBN: 978-603-17-0069-0 IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MERCIFUL THE MOST COMPASSIONATE

THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES KING ABDULLAH BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD CROWN PRINCE, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, AND MINISTER OF DEFENSE

Contents Executive Summary...14 Chapter One...17 Female students enrolled in university education for the...18 bachelor level...18 Academic Majors in Undergraduate Programs...20 Graduate Studies...22 Chapter Two...23 Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees in Study Abroad...25 Study Abroad Countries...27 Academic Majors...28 Chapter Three...29 Graduates Saudi Universities...30 Graduates from Study Abroad Programs...31 Chapter Four...33 Chapter Five...37 Chapter Six...43

«The efficient and fruitful role of women was and is still the result of the great investment in the field of education for all citizens, both men and women. As result, the Saudi woman has greatly achieved the highest degrees in the field of education, which enabled her to work hard in various fields. The Saudi woman has proven her capability to take the responsibility successfully; either through her noble duty as a mother, or though her positions. We are looking forward to giving the woman a vital and principal role, in a way that serves the objectives of this nation, based on the teachings of the Islamic Sharia.» The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Executive Summary This report deals with the reality of the Saudi woman in higher education with regard to various study stages and fields of study. It tackles the study abroad; graduates; human cadre; and the educational environment for Saudi woman and research and scientific distinction. The report shows that higher education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing unprecedented evelopment at both quantitative and qualitative levels; whether with regard to developmental programs, qualitative initiatives or strategic plans. The Ministry of Higher Education has sought to support Saudi woman in order to complete her higher education and pave the way for her in order to participate in economic, cultural and social development. In order to reach this goal, the Ministry of higher education has adopted a strategy that is based on providing opportunities for the education of Saudi woman, and to meet the upcoming needs of the society with regard to current and future women cadres that comply with the objectives and plans of development; in order to realize female qualified graduates that will meet those needs. The report shows that the objectives of the Ministry of Higher Education with regard to the education of Saudi women launched from its developmental role in society, and supplementing the role of the man completely consistent with him to maintain the privacy of Saudi women. The report also shows that women studying at Saudi universities have outnumbered their men counterparts in a short period of time. Today, women represent 52.9% of university students in Saudi Arabia, in addition to increasing the participation rate of women in study abroad programs, particularly at graduate studies to meet the need of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the disciplines that were not available to women in the past. Chapter four of the report discusses what Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia has done to build Saudi women cadres to join Saudi universities in teaching positions through offering opportunities to pursue their graduate studies in Saudi Arabia and abroad as well as helping them in administative jobs. The report also shows some stories of success of Saudi women who have contributed in fields of science and technology and have been recognized on Arab and international levels. Finally, this report discusses what Saudi Arabia has been done to offer women an appropriate educational environment through founding the first women s university as well as establishing women s campuses. All these have been done to foster women s role in society and enhance their positive participation in development of their society in accordance with cultural and Islamic values. 14 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 15

Chapter One SAUDI WOMAN IN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION Female students enrolled in university education for the bachelor level Academic Majors in Undergraduate Programs Graduate Studies.»

Female students enrolled in university education for the bachelor level Saudi higher education at undergraduate level has witnessed steady increase in the number of enrolled women students. In 2012, the number of enrolled women students at bachelor level reached 511.593, compared to 2009 when it was 412.893. That quantitative superiority in higher education came within a short time, thanks to the generous financial support to the higher education sector especially is within woman education by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The opportunities in higher education are available for both men and women students alike, without any political, social or economic restrictions. In addition to this great support, the government of Saudi Arabia offers stipend, subsidies and grants equally to both male and female students. It also offers transportation services for the university women students are provided for free inside and outside Saudi cities. This success at quantity in higher education for Saudi women has come as a result of the presence of clear objectives imposed by the Ministry of Higher Education in order to educate Saudi women students. These objectives emanated from women s developmental role in society, which integrates men s role that is entirely consistent with retaining the privacy of Saudi woman. The ratio of Saudi women who are enrolled in the public universities until the end of 2012 is 52.9% of the total university enrollment of men and women students in Saudi Arabia, as shown in the following figure: Female The higher education opportunities for Saudi women are not exclusive to public universities. Private higher education in Saudi Arabia hosts about 26,589 women students in 2012. Male Figure (2) Number of Saudi female students in higher education, compared to male students The present steady increase in the number of enrolled women studying in public and private universities reflects the belief of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that human resources development of both genders form a key element in the march for progress for every nation. It is the cornerstone in the formation of intellectual capacities and skills underlying the change and development, in order to achieve the goals of the ninth development plan of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through increasing women s participation in higher education, and to provide women s national competencies in areas that serve the requirements of development objectives of Saudi Arabia. Figure (1) Undergraduate Women Students in Saudi Universities from 2009-2 18 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 19

Table(2) Number of Women Students in Undergraduate Majors Field of study Number Table (1) Number of Enrolled Women and Men Undergraduate Students in both Public and Private Universities in Saudi Arabia University Men Students Woman Students Total Ratio of Women students Public 455.576 511.593 967.169 52.9 % Private 27.803 26.589 54.392 48.8% Academic Majors in Undergraduate Programs The Ministry of Higher Education has sought to give the Saudi female students the freedom to choose majors that fit with their individual wishes and tendencies, and to achieve their ambitions to effectively and actively participate in the development of the country and achieve the objectives of the development plans in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the Ministry has expanded in opening of scientific departments in Saudi universities. The number of fields of study available to female student has reached 23. Today, Saudi woman has started to study in scientific disciplines that were for a period of time exclusive for men students, such as engineering; architecture; media; law; and agriculture. Table 2 shows number of women students in undergraduate majors. Major programs (preparatory) 57.201 Islamic Studies 77.516 Teacher Training 35.752 Education 3.379 Arts 5.112 Humanities 120.956 Social and Behavioral Sciences 46.456 Media and Information 5.347 Commerce and Business 40.735 Law 3.222 Life Sciences 16.033 Physical Sciences 29.371 Mathematics & Statistics 18.950 Informatics 18.818 Engineering and Engineering Industries 172 Production and Transformational Industries 1.360 Architecture and Construction 287 Agriculture and Fisheries 1.480 Health 26.471 Social Services 1.401 Personal Services 1.574 20 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 21

Graduate Studies Admission to graduate studies in Saudi Arabia has witnessed significant expansions, in response from the Ministry of Higher Education to meet the university graduates needs of pursing their graduate studies as well as to achieve the goals of the development plan with regard to the expansion and diversity of graduate programs based on needs of development and the labor market. The Ministry of Higher Education has provided all the necessary capabilities, and so it provided day and evening programs for those students who may not be able to attend the day programs. The number of women students studying in graduate programs has reached 19,364. The following table shows the numbers graduate students of the different levels. Table (3) Number of Graduate Students in different Degrees Phase Number Postgraduate Diploma 3.804 Masters 13.767 Doctorate 1.544 Fellowship 249 Total 19.364 Chapter Two Study Abroad Program Educational Levels of Study Abroad Students Study Abroad Countries Academic Majors In addition to public Saudi universities, private universities offer graduate programs in various programs. Today, there are 1,480 women students pursuing their graduate studies in various scientific majors in private universities. 22 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information

The King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP) is aiming for sending Saudi students to the best universities in various countries around the world, in order to continue their studies at the bachelor; master; doctorate; and fellowship programs. KASP provides a number of vital scientific disciplines that are required most by both public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia. The program generally aims to prepare both male and female cadres to become global competitors in the labor market and in the areas of scientific research, and to become an important and essential tributary to support the Saudi universities as well as Saudi public and private sectors with competent and distinguished candidates, and to share scientific, educational and cultural expertise with various countries around the world. Since its launch in 2005, KASP has been comprehensive and diverse to include people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of both genders, and encourage students to take advantage of the program. The number of women students study abroad at different degrees has reached 35,594 in 2012, while it was 27,309 in 2011. In light of the above, we find that the year 2012 has witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of women studying abroad, as the following figure shows. Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees in Study Abroad The Ministry of Higher Education is interested that study abroad programs for women students include degree levels: bachelor; master; doctorate; and fellowship. The number of study abroad women students in undergraduate level as shown in Table (4) has reached 10.516; in master 15,894; in doctorate 2,837; and in fellowship 739. Women students studying foreign languages, associate diplomas, and postgraduate certificate reached 5,608. Table (4) Saudi Women Study Abroad as per Degree Levels Educational Level No. of Scholarship Female Students Ratio Bachelor 10.516 29.5% Master 15.894 44.7% Doctorate 2.837 8.0% Fellowship 7.39 2.0% Other (language, associate diploma, postgraduate diploma) 5.608 15.8% Total 35.594 100% The previous table shows the focus of the Ministry of Higher Education on graduate studies for study abroad women students. The total number of study abroad students studying graduate programs reached 19,470 students, which represents 54.7% of the total percentage of women studying abroad. The goal of focusing on graduate studies is to meet the needs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. December 2011 December 2012 Figure (3) The Increase in Number of Women Students Study Abroad between 2011-2012 24 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 25

The year 2012 witnessed an increase in percentage of study abroad 30.3% compared to 2011 in all degree levels, which is illustrated in the following figure: First degree Higher degrees Others Figure (4) Number of Women Students in Undergraduate and Graduate Levels Eastern Asia Australia and new Zealand Canada Arab countries Europe USA Table (6) Number of Saudi Women Students in Study Abroad Countries Study Abroad Countries Others Fellowship PHD Master degrees Figure (5) Comparison of Number of Women Students in 2011 & 2012 First degree Despite the steady increase in the numbers of women students, the Ministry of Higher Education has sought to expand the base study abroad countries to include top universities in the world to raise the scientific gain of Saudi women studying abroad and to diversify universities in order to achieve the utmost scientific benefits. In addition, the Ministry seeks to share scientific, educational, and cultural experiences with different countries. Today, Saudi women are studying in 55 different countries. The United States comes on top of study abroad countries with 17,550 Saudi women students; followed by Europe with total of 7,372; Canada 3,795; Australia and New Zealand 2,660; Arab countries 5,663; and finally East Asia countries with 712 Saudi women students. 26 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 27

Academic Majors Academic disciplines for study abroad women students are varied to achieve the goals of development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the needs of labor market. Academic Area of interest of women students are education; humanities; arts and social sciences; social work; law; science; engineering; and manufacturing industries; construction; agriculture; health; and social services; and services. It is noted that Saudi women have managed in a short period of time - to study in all scientific areas used to be exclusive for men students such as engineering; law; science; and health. The following table shows the majors of study abroad women students. Table (5) Number of Saudi Women Studying Abroad in Different Majors Academic Majors Number Education 2.018 Humanities and Arts 4.421 Social sciences, Business and Law 11.307 Science 6.306 Engineering, Production Industries, and Construction 1.082 Agriculture 21 Health and Social Services 8.321 Services 118 Other 2.000 Chapter Three Graduates Graduates from Saudi Universities Graduates from Study Abroad Programs Total 35.594 28 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information

Graduates Saudi Universities The numbers of graduated students of academic programs in both public and private higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia in various degrees: associate diploma; bachelor; postgraduate certificate; master; doctorate; and fellowship, show an increase in number of Saudi women graduates compared to their men s counterparts. The total number of women students graduated in 2012 is 69,066 compared to 47,964 graduated men students. This increase is attributed to the support of Ministry of higher Education that works to offer higher education opportunities to women students as those available to men students. Graduates from Study Abroad Programs Saudi woman has been successful to achieve the objectives that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has established for KASP, through completing scholarship program in the best universities all over the world, and obtaining the scientific degree they sent for. The number of Saudi women graduates in 2012 has reached 2,114 from different educational levels abroad. The following table shows the number of graduates of different academic levels graduates from various academic levels. Table (6) Number of Graduates from KASP Academic Degree Number of Women Graduates Bachelor 399 Master 949 Doctorate 96 Fellowship 25 Other 645 Total 2.114 Males Females Figure (7) Number of Women Graduates Compared to Men 30 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 31

Chapter Four Women Cadres

Saudi Arabia has sought to facilitate the participation of Saudi woman in the labor market in both public and private sectors. Her role has witnessed great development in this field, as woman represents half of Saudi human resources. The Ministry of Higher Education has focused on this field, as it has sought to prepare Saudi female cadres, to work in Saudi universities as faculty members, through academic programs within Saudi Arabia and abroad. By doing so, the Ministry of Higher Education, has managed to solve the prolonged problem of Saudi universities, namely the significant shortage of women staff in both teaching and administrative staff. These great efforts have brought an annual increase in female faculty members, and in administrative women cadre. The total number of female supporting cadre in Saudi universities including administrators; workers in the health field; and other workers, has reached 10,063; about 7,343 are in administrative positions, 1,533 works in health field, and 1,187 occupy other jobs. The total number of Saudi women faculty members in 2012 has reached 13,664; 150 of them are professors; 443 associate professors; 2,208 assistant professors; 3,047 lecturers; 7,449 teaching assistant, 92 teachers; and 275 occupying other jobs. Table (7) Number of Saudi Women Working in Higher Education Institutions Number Rank 150 Professor 443 Associate Professor 2.208 Assistant professor 3.047 Lecturer 7.449 Demonstrator 92 Tutor 275 other Workers level Health stuff Administrative Stuff Figure (8) Saudi Women Workers in Higher Education Institutions 13.664 total 34 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 35

Chapter Five Educational Environment for Saudi Women

Saudi Arabia has aimed to create the appropriate educational environment for Saudi woman, in order to strengthen her role and positive participation in development and service of Saudi community within the framework of Islamic, cultural and social values, in a way that contributes to the realization of sustainable development. The government of Saudi Arabia has established a women s university as well as women s campuses in different Saudi universities. On an area of (8) million square meters, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has opened Princess Nora bent Abdul Rahman University that hosts approximately 40,000 women students. This number represents more than 60 percent of women high school graduates. Prince Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University is the first women s university in the world. The University has Library, a conference center, and laboratories, and a university hospital with the capacity of 700 beds in all medical specialties with university laboratories. The University provides facilities for research and researchers through the allocation of part campus to King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology that found three scientific research centers: for the first is for purifying nanotechnology, the second for Information Technology, and the third of the life sciences. Prince Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University also has faculty member housing, staff housing, and students housing. It also has a mosque, schools, recreation centers, as well as a modern transportation system that was set 24 hours with programmed trains covering the whole university. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz sponsors the inauguration of University City for Princess Nora bent Abdul Rahman University in 2011 Prince Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University One of the activities at Prince Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University 38 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 39

In addition to the Princess Nora University Bent Abdul Rahman, the government of Saudi Arabia has established women s campuses in different Saudi universities. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz City for Women students was established at the University of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in an area of 3,800,000 square meters. The city is connected to the men s campus through an electronic network to transfer of lectures, events, and activities that take place at the men s campus. The women s campus includes several main educational buildings in order to host about 35,000 women students. Every educational building accommodates about 6,000 students, and has different size classrooms ranging from a space that accommodates (20) students to spaces that accommodate 40-125 students. These building also have labs and lectures halls. King Saud University has also found a new women s campus established in Dir iyya area, with total size (1.232.000) square meter, to accommodate 30,000 women students. This campus has health colleges; Medicine; Dentistry; Pharmacy; and Applied Medical Sciences; and Nursing. The scientific colleges in the campus include College of Science and College of Computer and Information. Humanities Colleges in the women s campus include Colleges of Arts, Education, and Business Administration; Languages and Translation; and law. This campus also has a sophisticated research center as well as a sport complex. Women s Campus at King Saud University Women s Campus at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University 40 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 41

Chapter Six Research and Scientific Excellence

With unlimited support of the government of Saudi Arabia, Saudi women have achieved scientific and research excellence in several scientific fields at both Arab and international levels. This excellence has taken place in several local and international universities. The Saudi woman, through her achievements in science and research, has been able to attract attentions of international observers. This excellence has been achieved by both faculty members and study abroad students. Examples of this excellence are what Dr. Maha Bent Omar Khayyat, a professor at Department of Physics at Umm Al Qura University, has achieved. Dr. Khayyat registered three patents in the field of nanotechnology and solar cells at IBM company in USA. Her patents have won the golden medal in the 4th Geneva International Invention Exhibition in 2012. Another example is what a women research team from the College of Pharmacy at King Saud University has achieved. This team discovered a group of new effective medications in the fields of hypnotic drugs and muscle relaxants of synonyms drug «Althiadez and Lo-dezben» after ten years of research efforts. Those drugs have proven to have a safer drug effect than those of medications known and currently in circulation The team s discovery was registered as a patent in Europe. Dr. Nadia Indigani of College of Arts and Interior Design at Umm Al-Qura University is another example of scientific excellence. She has awarded a golden medal in Korea International Women s Invention Exposition in 2012, which was arranged with Korean Intellectual Property Office & World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). She invented a measurement device that measures coefficient of fabrics prolapsed, which is one of main features of laboratory tested fabrics. Another Professor of Nuclear Physics Reactors at University of Princess Nora Bent Abdul Rahman won a prize in scientific fields in 2012 for her achievements. Dr. Abeera Ali Al Harbi was awarded this prize from Regional Office for the Environment, Science and Technology and Health in the Middle East and North Africa in the U.S. embassy in Jordan. 44 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information 45

One of study abroad women students in Sheffield Hallam University in UK won Tessa Perkins Award for her Master s thesis. Ms. Abdulrahman s thesis «The Impact of King Abdullah Foreign Scholarship Program on the social behavior of young Saudi men and women» has been recognized by the Award committee for this thesis. This prize is awarded in the theoretical and applied fields of by a committee that comprises a number of British university scientists. Ms. Amal Abdul Aziz Al Sufiani, a study abroad student, has received an award for the best research in the Department of Biochemistry and Biology partial Georgetown University, USA. Her research was in diagnostic obviate the need for biopsy in some cases pathological renal, and ease the pain of patients. She has conducted research in the Lab. Robert Starr diagnostic for kidney research in the National Institute of Health in America, known as a leading institute in the field of health research. In the field of environment, human and sustainable development, the GIC U.S. Space and Technology and the Environment (Cote Gassi), one of the NASA institutions, has added Ms. Magda Aburas, an assistant professor in Department of Biotechnology at King Abdulaziz University, as a member of the Governing Council as well as a regional researcher with NASA scientific team to work on the implementation of the scientific and research projects and programs for the development of the Gulf. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information General Department for Planning and Statistics 2013 46 Ministry Deputyship for Planning and Information

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