Saudi Arabia has grown tired of being a one-trick pony and has sought to become a jack of all trades by following a promising northern star—Vision 2030.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an ancient land filled with endless potential. However, with looming risks of over-relying on oil and basing 80% of the country’s economy on an industry prone to instability, the kingdom pushed toward securing a better future.
In 2016, the plan was set, and the path was clear—Vision 2030, a strategic reform that aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and empower its citizens. Stemming from its primary objective of expanding non-oil sectors—including tech, education, entertainment, and renewable energy—Vision 2030 has empowered women through education and equality.
By investing in educational institutions, promoting gender equality in the workplace, and providing scholarships for women to pursue higher education, it paved the way for inclusivity and prosperity. Explore five ways in which this visionary plan has positively impacted women’s education.
1- Increased Access to Higher Education
Vision 2030 is the powerful wind of change that has blown open new doors of opportunity. With great emphasis on changing the Kingdom’s educational landscape and dynamics, women have been granted access to more universities, programs, and specific fields that were historically limited to men, such as engineering, architecture, business, and law. Today, universities actively encourage women to enroll in these disciplines and pursue higher education. This is evident by their valiant effort to facilitate new branches made explicitly for women, with modern facilities and academic resources. These initiatives have created a more balanced and diverse educational environment, enabling women to pursue a broader range of academic and professional careers.
Dar Al-Hekma Private University prides itself in being a beacon of education and one of the first to have held the mantle for women’s education in the Kingdom. A brilliant location for women to pursue education and follow Saudi’s Vision 2030.
2- Scholarship Opportunities
Importing the world’s wealth of knowledge and expertise to enrich the Kindom’s development. The government’s King Salman Scholarship Program and other international scholarship initiatives have seen significant growth under Vision 2030. These programs aim to send more Saudi women to study in prestigious institutions abroad, especially in Western countries, to obtain advanced degrees and training in key industries. As a result, more women are gaining exposure to global best practices, leadership skills, and cutting-edge technologies, which they can bring back to the Kingdom. This aligns with the vision’s broader goal of fostering innovation and knowledge transfer.
3- STEM Emphasis
Saudi Arabia has been historically famous for many things, but scientific breakthroughs or technological advancements aren’t one of them. However, Vision 2030 looks forward to reshaping this reality by developing sectors that rely on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Kingdoms believes in the importance of women’s roles in these industries’ development. Therefore, it has introduced specialized STEM programs for women and new schools and university departments that focus on computer science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and engineering. With increased female enrollment in these programs, the country has witnessed a more gender-balanced workforce in high-demand fields such as technology, engineering, and scientific research.
4- Entrepreneurship and Leadership Training
Women inherently possess the potential to become incredible leaders and inspiring entrepreneurs. In support, several universities and government-backed institutions now offer business incubation programs, leadership development courses, and mentorship schemes for women. This education goes beyond books and papers. It incorporates workshops, networking events, and collaborations with established businesses to assert hands-on, practical experiences. Programs like “Misk Foundation” and “Wa’ed” focus on fostering women entrepreneurs, giving them the tools and resources needed to launch successful startups, which aligns with Vision 2030’s aim to boost the private sector.
5- Workforce Alignment
Vision 2030’s educational reforms aim to boost women’s workforce participation from 22% to 30% by aligning degree programs, such as bachelor of architecture, technology, finance, and healthcare, with market demands. There’s also a strong focus on vocational training, preparing women for roles in emerging industries. Coupled with workplace reforms, these changes create clear pathways for women to enter diverse fields, reflecting Vision 2030’s broader goals for economic and social progress.