News highlights
The Women’s Leadership Center at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University participated in the 21st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 23 to 27 November 2025 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The participation of the Women’s Leadership Center came as part of the official delegation representing the Kingdom, within a dedicated pavilion aimed at highlighting efforts to empower women leaders in the industrial sector, showcasing the Center’s leadership and professional empowerment programs, and strengthening the presence of Saudi women in sustainable industrial development. The conference brings together government leaders, policymakers, experts, and international investors to discuss the future of industry and global industrial transformation. The pavilion includes an introductory section presenting the Center, its programs, and initiatives, in addition to showcasing key leadership and empowerment programs such as the “Qudwah” Program and the “Qiyadiyah” Program. It also features digital screens that highlight the Center’s impact in developing and enabling female leaders, along with content reflecting the university’s efforts to empower women and enhance their participation in vital sectors, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in strengthening the competitiveness of the industrial sector. The pavilion offers an interactive educational experience using virtual reality (VR) focused on the concept of gender bias in workplace environments. This awareness experience was developed within the Center to simulate real professional bias scenarios that women may encounter. The VR activity allows participants to engage in a live simulation using VR headsets to raise awareness of bias patterns and their impacts. As part of the conference program, the Director of the Women’s Leadership Center, Dr. Iman Al-Samari, will participate in a panel discussion titled “Empowering Her: Mentorship, Networking, and the Future of Women’s Leadership in Industry.” The session will address the future of women’s leadership, the role of education and partnerships between universities and the industrial sector in enhancing women’s presence in leadership roles, and the importance of professional mentorship and its impact on developing young female talents. It is noteworthy that the UNIDO General Conference is one of the most significant international events dedicated to shaping industrial policies, sustainable development, the future of industry, industrial investment, innovation, and human capacity-building. This year, the Kingdom hosts the conference alongside the “World Industry Summit 2025,” reinforcing its role in driving global industrial transformation and sharing pioneering national experiences. The participation of the Women’s Leadership Center reflects its role in contributing to Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University’s Strategic Plan 2025, particularly in empowering Saudi female talents, supporting their leadership presence in developmental sectors, enhancing their contribution to sustainable development goals, and fostering a more inclusive industrial ecosystem for women.
