Princess Noura bint Mohammed patronizes the graduation ceremony of students at the Princess Nourah University
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University is one of the successes of Vision 2030 that emphasizes women's higher education
Updated 21 June 2022
Arab News
RIYADH: Princess Noura bint Mohammed bin Saud patronized the graduation ceremony of 900 female students at the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh on Tuesday.
There were 235 female graduates who received master's degrees, 6 who received diplomas, 504 who received bachelor's degrees, and 152 who received higher diploma levels.
Established in 1970 as Saudi Arabia's first women's college of education, PNU has now become the world's largest women's university, educating 600,000 students spread across 102 colleges — ranging from universities to intermediate and community colleges — in 72 Saudi cities.
Princess Noura delivered a speech at the ceremony, which emphasized the Kingdom's interest in educating and empowering women, helping them to achieve their goals, advancing their leadership roles, and preparing them to be active members of society.
This was followed by a speech from the President of the University, Dr. Inas bint Suleiman Al-Eisa, during which she stated that a certificate was not merely a document, but a "key to the future."
At the end of the ceremony, the graduates watched a recorded speech made by Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Norway, Amal bint Yahya Al-Mouallimi, herself a PNU alumna, who emphasized the pivotal role of Saudi women, and noted the Kingdom was at an important stage in women's history.
Women's empowerment, a critical component of larger-scale socioeconomic reform in Saudi Arabia, has been a priority of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, and women's education has received a great deal of attention in Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
Updated 24 January 2026
SALEH FAREED
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 sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
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.”
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
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.
