Dar Al-Hekma University has launched innovative undergraduate and graduate majors that will prepare aspiring and motivated women for the future job market. It is providing partial scholarships during the admission period.
The programs come in line with the government’s policy regarding the empowerment and preparation of highly qualified women professionals who are capable of contributing to the Kingdom’s social and economic development.
Introduced as part of the Generation 2030 campaign, the programs are supported by the Human Resources Development Program, which falls under the Saudi Vision 2030. The campaign aims at shedding light on the university’s new academic programs 2018/2019, tailored to meet the need for the most in-demand specializations in the labor market.
The programs are offered by several schools including Hekma School of Business and Law, which offers digital marketing as a major; Hekma School of Design and Architecture, which offers a master degree of arts in game design; and Hekma School of Health, Education and Behavioral Sciences, which offers psychology. Other innovative majors include software engineering, computer science, intelligence systems, and data analytics.
“These will enhance Saudi women’s contribution to achieving the ambitious objectives of Vision 2030, one of which is to enhance innovation as an important foundation for women’s empowerment. The new majors hold promising future for women as it will encourage them to be accomplished leaders and entrepreneurs of this nation,” the university said in a statement.
Dar Al-Hekma launches new programs and scholarships
Dar Al-Hekma launches new programs and scholarships
DeveGO25: Social Development Bank signs 51 agreements to support startups, productive families
The Social Development Bank has announced the signing of 51 agreements covering the establishment of financing portfolios, as well as local and international cooperation partnerships, on the sidelines of the Entrepreneurship and Modern Business Practices Forum, known as DeveGO25. This milestone reinforces the bank’s growing role in building an integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem and expanding its developmental impact through financial and nonfinancial solutions tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs, startups, micro and small enterprises, freelancers, and productive families, in line with the economic transformation of the Kingdom under Saudi Vision 2030.
The announcement was made during the second edition of the forum, which witnessed the signing of a package of specialized financing portfolios. Most notably, this included a joint financing portfolio with Arab National Bank valued at SR100 million ($26.6 million) to support entrepreneurs’ projects, alongside a financing portfolio with the Council of Foundations, valued at SR50 million to enhance the sustainability of nonprofit organizations.
The SDB also signed a number of corporate social responsibility financing portfolios with Al-Ghuwairi Charity Foundation to support community initiatives, as well as with ACWA Power to help entrepreneurs and innovators in the energy sector, in addition to Fakeeh Care Group to support startups in the healthcare sector.
Furthermore, financing portfolios were signed to support freelancers and entrepreneurs in partnership with Naylah Finance, Al-Yusr Leasing and Financing, Al-Jabr Financing, and J-B Financial Solutions. These financing portfolios reflect the bank’s accelerating direction toward diversifying support solutions and developing innovative financing channels capable of accommodating the needs of entrepreneurial segments across all regions of the Kingdom.
As part of its international partnerships, the bank strengthened its presence within global entrepreneurial networks through the signing of agreements with leading international entities. It partnered with Alibaba for a Saudi–Chinese initiative aimed at supporting the international market access of Saudi startups and productive families through specialized training and capacity-building programs, as well as linking them with potential clients and partners in China. In addition, SDB partnered with Incofin to cooperate on financing programs for small and emerging enterprises, while exchanging expertise in the areas of investments, joint funds, sustainable finance, and financing guarantees. Furthermore, the SDB entered a partnership with Riversands to exchange knowledge and expertise in investment programs and nonfinancial services dedicated to entrepreneurs, small enterprises, and co-working spaces.
In support of entrepreneurs and small enterprises, the bank signed cooperation agreements with the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Qassim Chamber, Al-Qurayyat Chamber, and Riyadh Chamber, to finance startups and small enterprises, enhancing beneficiary capabilities through training and capacity-building programs, and creating more than 500 sustainable jobs for citizens. These efforts contribute to strengthening the role of such enterprises in the national economy. In addition, a tripartite agreement was signed with the Sports Investment Forum and the Council of Saudi Chambers to support enterprises and strengthen the investment ecosystem in the sports sector.
In the area of supporting productive families and freelancers, the SDB signed agreements with a range of entities, including the King Salman Charity Housing Association, the Heritage Commission, the Hail Region Development Authority, the Saudi Geological Survey, and Last Mile Information Technology (Thrive), to implement programs and initiatives aimed at supporting productive families and encouraging self-employment.
The agreements also included innovative partnerships with digital platforms such as The Chefs, Cloud Chefs, and HungerStation, to provide innovative digital sales channels that contribute to strengthening freelance work and, in turn, the local economy. In addition, the SDB collaborated with Hala Payments and STC Bank to launch financing cards for freelancers.
As part of efforts to enhance market access, the bank signed eight agreements with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Riyadh Municipality, King Salman Social Center, Zain Telecom, the Small and Medium Enterprises Bank, Ministry of Interior Clubs, Saudi Railways Company and NADEC, aimed at establishing permanent sales outlets within their premises. This initiative contributes to creating sustainable marketing channels that enhance the ability of productive families to increase their income and transition their projects into more structured and resilient business models.
The agreements also included strategic partnerships with government entities and national institutions serving diverse objectives. A cooperation agreement with the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities will empower beneficiaries through the “Kanaf” financing product and specialized training programs, while a collaboration with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (Developmental Housing Agency) will enable nonprofit organizations to manage productive families’ portfolios. Partnerships with Albilad Bank and NEO Digital Banking will promote a culture of savings.
The forum also witnessed a significant expansion of the SDB’s “education product,” through the signing of agreements with national universities and institutes to enable students to continue their education with the help of accessible financing solutions. These agreements included Northern Border University, Effat University, King Abdulaziz University, Qassim University, Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, Institute of Public Administration, University of Business and Technology, Arab Open University, Resal Company, Saa’i Endowment Foundation, and Gulf Training Company.
