RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan has appointed Mohammed Hasan Alwan as acting president of Riyadh University of Arts.
Alwan has served as CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission since November 2024. He previously led the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission from 2020 to 2024.
He holds a Ph.D. in international business from Carleton University in Canada, an MBA from the University of Portland in the US, and a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from King Saud University.
As acting president, Alwan will lead the university’s next phase, overseeing its academic and operational readiness while strengthening its role in advancing specialized higher education in the arts, culture and creative industries.
He will also oversee the launch of academic programs and the development of educational and industry partnerships to prepare Saudi professionals across a range of artistic disciplines.
Riyadh University of Arts will welcome its first cohort of students to specialized programs in theater and performing arts, music, film and cultural management, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Its educational model combines academic study with hands-on experience to develop Saudi talent and support the Kingdom’s growing cultural and creative sectors.
The university is one of the Ministry of Culture’s initiatives to expand specialized higher education in the arts and culture, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to develop national talent and strengthen the role of culture and the arts in national development.
