The Saudi Vision 2030 plan, and the National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020 that flows from it, set out an ambitious roadmap for educational reform in Saudi Arabia. The success of these plans depends in large measure on reforms in the education system generating a better basis for employment of young Saudis.

One of the major goals of Saudi Vision 2030 is to "attract and retain the finest Saudi and foreign minds, and provide them with all they need," as the country believes that gaining and keeping its best talent will contribute to economic development and attract additional foreign investment. In order to develop its talent, the government is reshaping its curricula — to modernize them and focus them on rigorous standards in literacy, numeracy, other skills and character development.

It also intends to closely monitor improvements in its education system, by tracking the progress of students and regularly publishing a sophisticated range of education outcomes. Importantly, Saudi Vision 2030 states that the country will work closely with the pri- vate sector to ensure that the higher educa- tion outcomes it achieves are in line with the requirements of the current and future job market. The scope of private sector involvement in the financing and construction of educa- tion infrastructure is clear; whether the same access will be given to the actual delivery of educational services is less so.

Support available every step of the way

However, the potential for joint ventures around items like technical curriculum development and teacher training is significant. The franchise model, adjusted as necessary to accommodate the specific traditions of the kingdom, also has the potential to play a role.

With over 50 percent of Saudi Arabia's university graduates being female, Saudi Vision 2030 recognizes its women as one of the king- dom's best assets. According to the plan, Saudi Arabia will "continue to develop their talents, invest in their productive capabilities and enable them to strengthen their future and contribute to the development of our society and economy."

People with disabilities will also be encour- aged to reach their full potential by being provided with the education, facilities, tools and job opportunities they need to ensure their independence and integration as effective members of society, and to put them on the path to commercial success."

Effat University: educating women

A key component of the kingdom's higher education system for women is Effat University in Jeddah, in the west of the country. It is a leading private, non-profit institution, operating under the umbrella of the King Faisal Foundation.

Founded by Queen Effat Al-Thunayyan, Effat University aims to qualify tomorrow's competitive female leaders with a world-class education, by providing an interdisciplinary environment conducive to research, community service and life-long learning. The university's students have consistently scored highly respectable grades in various categories and, overall, it is regarded as a three-star institution. Notably, however, it has achieved five stars in employability and facilities, and four stars for teaching and learning.

Its students benefit from a holistic learning experience, with a focus on developing them personally, intellectually, professionally, socially and ethically. "We started as a college and excelled to become a university. Subsequently, our programs have been accredited both nationally and internationally," explains Dr. Haifa R. Jamal Al-Lail, President of Effat University. The university contains four colleges: engineering, which includes electrical engineering, computer science and information technology; architecture and design; business, including entrepreneurship; and humanities and social sciences. It also provides master's courses in Islamic financial management, urban design and translation studies.

In addition, the university includes a Research and Consultancy Institute. Al-Lail states that "our main goal is our development into a research university, recognized in that perspective by the world. This is a very important part of Effat's 2017-2022 Vision strategic plan."

Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030

But, she clarifies: "While I really want to see Effat University become a research university, that status is not just about publishing numbers — I want us to carry out meaningful research, that helps attain the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. "We want to be part of the world's discussion on the different issues and problems that are happening right now. That will not happen without research. Effat University has aligned itself with both Saudi Vision 2030 and NTP 2020 and has integrated their goals and strategies into its own strategic plan."

Al-Lail believes that "this kind of alignment will help the university in different areas like education, training and development, serving society and the employment of our graduates." She highlights, in particular, NTP 2020's plan to transform the kingdom from a society of users to a society of producers — which needs to happen if Saudi Arabia wants to fully diversify its economy from oil. It is a hugely important policy that is changing mindsets, Al-Lail says: "It will take time, but the concept and culture of producing things has just begun. People are really starting to think from that perspective, which was never the case." For too long, she thinks, Saudi Arabians were busy solely using technologies, but now, there is increasing interest in participating in the production of those technologies, including from many women.

She believes that the information age is helping to teach people how to become inventors. That, coupled with the creativity she sees in Saudi Arabia, "is really pushing us toward the goal of production. I see myself pushing our students toward this," she enthuses. She gives the example of a female optical lens researcher, who is raising funds to open the first lens manufacturing base in the kingdom, in order to reduce costs and delivery times for consumers. "My dream is to see a globally recognized 'Made in Makkah' or 'Made in Saudi Arabia' brand. An entrepreneurial spirit has just started now and I'm excited to watch and contribute to our society being more of a producing society than a consuming society," Al-Lail says.

Saudi Vision 2030 is very clear on the importance of higher education working with the private sector to benefit all. The development plan states that the country "will invest in strategic partnerships with apprenticeship providers, new skills councils from industry and large private companies. We will also work toward developing the job specifications of every educational field." Effat University is already working in this area, with a new project that is seeing it partnering with successful Saudi Arabian businesses such as leading pharmaceutical company the Tamer Group. These partnerships are focused on providing internship, joint research projects and work practices that will prepare students for the labor market when they graduate.

Creating Japanese partnerships

To further support the development of its students, education and research programs, the university has built strong relationships and agreements with world-renowned international institutions and universities. These include Syracuse University, Georgetown University, Duke University, Pratt School of Engineering, the University of Miami and the University of Southern California in the U.S., as well as the American University of Cairo and the French General Consulate. Effat University now wants to deepen its relationships with Japanese institutions. It already has a partnership with Tokai University and a memorandum of understanding with another university, but "teaming up with the Japanese business community or other universities in Japan is an important target," Al-Lail stresses.

Excited by Japan's knowledge in areas like technology and robotics, she recently visited a number of universities in the country and witnessed many cutting-edge research projects in sectors including health care and solar energy that the university would "love to partner with," she says. Al-Lail's vision of a partnership that would excel involves research that incorporates invention and production — and the establishment of her dream "Made in Makkah" brand.

UBT: Educating for employment

Prof. Hussein M. A. Al Alawi, Rector of Saudi Arabia's University of Business and Technology (UBT), agrees that research in the country should be related to production, but adds that "the challenge is how to transfer knowledge into implementable added-value products." This is a focus of UBT, a leading private university in Jeddah that offers internationally recognized, high-quality undergraduate and graduate education in the areas of business, engineering and media, especially advertising.

Al Alawi says it is "distinguished by its mission: education is for employment opportunity. No program is introduced at UBT unless the job market has a specific demand for the skills obtained." He feels that education's job is not just to create intellectuals, engineers, academics or executives, but also plumbers, electricians, and technicians, for example. To fill this gap, "We offer courses in subjects like supply chain management, which is unique in the kingdom. There is more and more demand for this course as students become aware of its importance in industry and other sectors," says Al Alawi.

The university has set up a research center and many of its flagship areas of research are related to local, Saudi Arabian environmental issues, including water desalination and, especially, desalination technology. Desertification, pollution and alternative energies are also specializations. "There is no other country in the world that receives more sunbeams than Saudi Arabia every day. It is deplorable that we haven't started utilizing this source of energy," he explains. UBT already has established relationships with many universities worldwide and Al Alawi hopes that "Japan will be added to that list shortly. We are interested in cooperating and partnering with any well-accredited Japanese university."