Effat University stands at the apex of offering higher education in Saudi Arabia and also stands out in providing excellent globally accredited undergraduate and graduate programs with astounding faculty and facilities.
The university has four colleges: engineering, architecture and design, humanities, and business. They offer undergraduate programs in electrical and computer engineering, computer science, architecture, design, cinematic arts, psychology, digital media and communications, supply chain management, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. They offer four MSc programs: energy engineering, architecture, clinical psychology, and finance.
The mission of Effat University is to develop aspirational and effective leaders of the highest caliber who advance national and international progress by integrating the university’s core values into cutting-edge education that fosters a culture of in-depth research, active intellectual engagement, and significant societal impact.
The Institute Built on the Vision and Values
Effat University aspires to be known as one of the top universities in the world, contributing to scientific innovation and discovery, providing answers to societal problems, and acting as a catalyst for change in fulfilling Queen Effat Al-Thunayan Al-Saud’s vision.
Effat University’s core values are based on the divine commandment IQRA, ‘read’. These values include the following:
Ibhath undertakes life-long research.
Q Qiyam ethical social and educational values
R Riyada responsible and creative leadership
At-tawasul’s effective communication and reaching out to others.
These are fully integrated into all their academic offerings and administrative processes.
Dynamic Leadership: The Spirits Behind the Success
The daughter of Queen Effat, who established Effat University, is HRH Princess Lolowah. She inherited the same love of learning and the advancement of women, and she represents Saudi Arabia in numerous international organizations. She has been honored with the reputed doctorates from Tokai University in Japan and Mount Holyoke College in the United States for her dedication to improving the status of women through education.
The Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees Assistant and General Supervisor is H.R.H. Princess Noura bint Turki Al Faisal. She also serves on the boards of the Al Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women and the King Faisal Foundation.
Effat University’s president is Dr. Haifa Reda Jamalallail. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a PhD in public policy. Prior to joining Effat in 2000, she served as the dean of the women’s section at King Abdulaziz University.
What Makes Effat University Stand Out in the Domain?
Effat University has always placed a strong emphasis on internationalization. Each of their programs maintains ongoing relationships with prestigious universities and organizations around the world.
The students have the option to spend a semester studying abroad or to take quick study trips to one of the partner colleges. The students are not only academically qualified, additionally, but they also have the intercultural and interpersonal skills necessary for global citizens in the contemporary world because their staff and student population are both quite diverse and English is the medium of instruction.
Their engagement with big multinational corporations like Siemens, SAP, GE, Schlumberger, and others as well as their involvement in a variety of international organisations including AAC&U, IAU, and EAIE improves their international reputation.
They have always embraced international ranking not as an indicator of excellence, but also as a marketing strategy. For example, they are proud to be listed in the QS list of 100 best universities in the Arab world.
Digging the History
The idea that all Saudi Arabian citizens should have access to high-quality education inspired the founding of Effat University. She was the nation’s first proponent of modern education, founding Dar al Hanan, the nation’s first girls’ school, in 1955. The educational environment in Saudi Arabia changed as a result of this modest but incredibly crucial beginning. She was fortunate enough to be present at the 1999 opening of Effat College, which was the culmination of her vision. In 2009, university status was achieved, and it became Effat University.
The Education System at a Glance
Effat University adheres to the Liberal Arts philosophy that underpins the excellence of the US educational system. Meaning they offer a comprehensive education that incorporates critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, civic awareness and engagement, multicultural understanding and competency, ethical reasoning and action, and lifelong learning into every facet of a student’s life. These principles are reinforced by the demanding co-curricular and extracurricular programs that make up the Ambassador Programme in addition to being ingrained in the academic programs.
Over the past year, education has seen significant and quick changes. By focusing on 2030, the most recent changes have been expedited. These include the drive for globalization, the inclusion of the SDGs in the curriculum, the requirement for national and international certification, and enhanced flexibility and agility to offer new majors for the quickly changing demands of the market and society. Recently, Effat University became the first and only academic institution to offer co-ed classes. In the early years, this was unimaginable, but now it feels extremely natural and usual, reflecting the sociological transformation reshaping the Kingdom.
Hurdles along the Way
They experienced numerous difficulties at first. It was particularly difficult for female students to secure internships and eventually jobs because there had never before been any female students enrolled in programs like engineering and architecture. But as news got out about the caliber of the graduates, their standing in the labor market increased. Fortunately, the government has always supported women’s rights in the workforce. Through Vision 2030, this support has been further increased, and as a result, women today have equal rights in terms of employment and company ownership.
Assuring Consistent Growth with Tech Integration
Effat University has always integrated technology into both the teaching and administrative domains. They held their first Teaching and Learning Conference in 2000. This yearly gathering explores the newest technological advancements affecting education. In the previous one, they looked at how the Metaverse and Chat GBT may be used to promote education rather than pose a threat to it.
Beginning in 2002, they were the first in the Kingdom to utilize Blackboard as their platform for teaching and learning and Banner as their ERP.
Achievements & Milestones Along the Way
They are most proud of continuously pushing the boundaries of female empowerment by offering majors in fields traditionally closed to women. Further, they opened a cinematic arts program in 2013, 5 years before the first cinemas opened in KSA.
They are also very proud of the growth of the research output as demonstrated in the Scopus citation index. Two of their researchers are listed in Stanford University’s list of the top 2% of research scholars worldwide! The most recent achievement is being the first and only higher education institution that is entirely co-ed.
Giving back to the community
“Effat’s mission, our basic beliefs, and everything we do are all centred on having a positive impact on society. “Like the SDGs influence our educational route and our students’ learning experience”, the leading lady quoted.
To guarantee that all students have the knowledge and abilities to be effective lifelong benefactors, civic engagement classes are obligatory for all students as part of their general education requirements.
One particularly impactful course the university runs with the support of the Juffali family is one in which students are entrusted with a substantial sum of money to give to a registered charity for a specific purpose. In the course, students learn to evaluate projects in terms of impact and sustainability, to allocate limited resources to maximum effect, and to make wise judgements. They learn that there is more to CSR than simply donating money or time, and giving back to society is both rewarding and necessary.
This encapsulates education at Effat University as a journey of learning and service!
Words of Wisdom
Live our motto: Aspire to Achieve! Follow the path of life-long learning, and never stop dreaming.
