JEDDAH: King Saud University (KSU) on Friday inaugurated the three-day forum on safety for women drivers, under the theme of “The First Time,” in the presence of Princess Nourah bint Mohammed.
KSU Vice Chancellor for Female Students Dr. Inas bint Suleiman Al-Issa said the cultural forum is a response to the royal decree allowing women to drive.
She added it revitalizes the university’s role in society as it helps to raise awareness and disseminate the regulations and laws issued by the state’s bodies.
The change in the law on women driving comes into effect in June this year.
Al-Issa expressed thanks to the forum’s participants and supporters and praised their contribution to the success of the forum.
The forum includes a scientific program that discusses the psychological and social readiness of women to drive under the supervision of the elite of the university’s teaching personnel. It will also include family-oriented entertainment events.
This forum is considered as the biggest platform of the bodies supporting women’s driving with the participation of governmental entities such as the General Directorate of Traffic, the Ministry of Transport, Riyadh Secretariat, Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA), the Saudi Council of Engineers, insurance companies, fuel station companies, medical centers and car companies.
The forum aims to inculcate the culture of women driving, and introduce an educational and cultural experience toward-safe driving in an entertaining atmosphere. The forum allows women to learn the traffic laws and how to get driving licenses. It will also include talks with KSU’s best academics.
Entry to the three-day event is free. The forum will include entertainment events, and space will be set aside in which children can play and draw.
Noha Turki Al-Mala, a member of the Saudi Society for Traffic Safety, said the society aims to develop the practical side of safety.
Saudi forum helps put women drivers on the road
Saudi forum helps put women drivers on the road
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
- A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
