IN THE WORDS OF
PRINCESS LOLOWAH AL-FAISAL

Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and General Supervisor of Effat University

Effat university was established in 1999 as a private non-profit institution by the insightful vision of Queen Effat Al Thunayan Al Saud (May God rest her soul), the founder of education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the university operates under the umbrella of King Faisal Foundation. Effat University worked and is still working hard to contribute significantly to the national and international progress with the university’s core values derived from the Arabic word “Iqra” [To read or study], which encourages and promotes constant research, positive values, and creative entrepreneurship with national responsibility, in addition to continuing purposeful communication nationally and internationally. Since its establishment, Effat University has been seeking to provide diverse, innovative and valuable undergraduate and postgraduate progammes, graduating leaders of the future in society, and improving their skills at the highest levels educationally and academically, using teaching and learning strategies to enhance their creative and critical minds, in order to prepare them to build further and move forward our nation, benefitting in the process from all the national, regional and international resources of science and knowledge. These are the main pillars that distinguish Effat University, and that enabled it to link between the national identity of the kingdom and its knowledge and education style with the outside world. All members of the Board of Trustees are eager to maintain a high academic level to achieve the ranking to be one of the best international universities. We inspire Effat family members to keep up with all cultural, scientific, and research literatures in order to make Effat University the beacon of knowledge and the initiator of dialogue platform, to move from Today’s world to the world of the future, and to be job opportunity creators instead of job seekers. Effat University strives to be recognized as one of the world’s leading institutions that achieves the vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030. I would like to take this opportunity from this platform to bless the renewed educational journey in our beloved Kingdom, and wish Effat University all the success and progress. Thank you and God bless you all

QUEEN EFFAT’S LEGACY

Princess Effat Al-Thunayyan Al-Saud (May God rest her soul) was known for her endless passion towards teaching and learning. Having a holistic vision of education, she dedicated half a century to establishing schools and philanthropic societies spreading traditional Islamic values and respect for all. With her deep understanding of the importance of extracurricular activities, technological advances, and international partnerships, she founded Effat College in 1999 and, thus, contributed to educating a large number of women who grew to become distinguished members of society thanks to her legacy.

AT A GLANCE

Effat University was the
women’s only higher education institution in Saudi Arabia to offer Architecture, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Entrepreneurship,Cinematic Arts, Supply Chain Management , and Energy Engineering, Islamic Finance Management, for females and Urban Design as Masters Programs amongst others as a course of study for males and females.

Launched in

1999

with only

25

students

in

2023

it has more than

1,524

students

have graduated
are on scholarship
1/15

faculty/student ratio

THE UNIVERSITY

CORE VALUES

Driven by a strong belief in the divine act of reading and the major role it plays in shaping the future of the nation, Effat University strives to increase human knowledge through reviving reading – or the verb IQRA as mentioned in the Holy Quran. Through it, Effat graduates acquire and live by a set of dignified and empowering characteristics that allows them to contribute positively to the enlightenment of the nation and become responsible leaders.

I

IBHATH RESEARCH

Q

QIYAM VALUES

R

RIYADA LEADERSHIP

A

AT-TAWASUL COMMUNICATION

GRADUATE CHARACATERISTICS

itqan

works with perfection

ihsan

high ethical values

stewardship

leadership & responsibility

ambassador

representative & reaches out to others

the first women

2

from Saudi Arabia with a degree in

architecture

graduated from Effat University

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OVERVIEW

The main entrance to Effat University.
Effat Library and Cultural Museum
Classroom
Effat University students actively participate in extra-curricular activities such as the debate club. These activities help shape them into forward thinkers, and leaders in their fields.
Effat University students at work in the Architecture studios.
Students at work in one of Effat University's Science and Engineering labs.
Visual & Digital Production lab
Memaryat International Conference (MIC) 2018
Visual & Digital Production lab
Swimming Pool
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WHAT ARE THE ALUMNAE UP TO?
68% Working 7% Continuing their Higher Education

WHAT ARE THE ALUMNAE UP TO?

Females Education & Evolution
In The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In 1954, Saudi Arabia witnessed the inauguration of its 1st girls’ school, Dar al Hanan, by Queen Effat Al Thunayyan; wife of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz.
In 2021, Saudi Arabia had 23,984 schools and 62 colleges & universities, for girls and boys.

In 1954, female students in Saudi Arabia were only 50.
In 2021, female students in Saudi Arabia reached 3,068,278 in schools, and 782,846 in colleges and universities.

In 1954, female teachers were only 5.
In 2021, female teachers reached 272,805 in schools and 38,988 in colleges and universities.

In 2021

of students were females in schools in Saudi Arabia

of students were females in colleges & universities in Saudi Arabia


STUDENT CENTERED LEARNING UNIVERSITY

Effat University provides the students with a wide range of support services. The Deanship of Student Affairs (DSA) offers both co-curricular and extra-curricular services. Both services target the students academic, personal, emotional and professional development in accordance with Higher Education Student Development and Engagement Theories. The Co-Curricular services are represented by The Effat Ambassador Program (EAP), which encompasses the Effat Enhancement Centers, the Effat Ambassador Certificate Courses and the Student Success Center. The Extra-Curricular services are supported by the Students Life Office’s efforts to offer opportunities for engagement and leadership through bodies like the Student Government, which is a resource of students for students. The Deanship of Student Affairs (DSA) also offers wellbeing support services through the Medical Clinic and Counselling Office. Moreover, student support services continue even after students’ graduation; giving its alumnae the opportunity to benefit from the Career Development Office which includes the Effat Alumnae Association. All DSA support services adopt Effat University’s IQRA core values which demonstrate the four Effat University Graduate Characteristics. Every year, Effat University recognizes and honors the outstanding academic and personal merit of its students with the prestigious Queen Effat Citizenship Award (QECA).

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Effat University built strong relationships and agreements with very well-established international institutions and universities. Among its renowned partners are: Georgetown University, Duke University, University of Miami, University of Boston, Syracuse University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Western Sidney, Tokai University, Bocconi University, Mount-Holyoke University, New York University, Kent State University and Virginia Tech University.

EFFAT AMBASSADORS

FROM COLLEGE TO UNIVERSITY IN 10 YEARS, AND MORE

1999

Launched as a college with 2 academic departments

2000

Established 3 new programs

2005

Became an independent Institution of Higher Education operating under the umbrella of the King Faisal Foundation

2006

Introduced 3 new majors including the 1st department offering Engineering degrees to women in Saudi Arabia

2008

Acquired University status as a private institution of higher education for women with 3 colleges

2009

Offered the Master of Islamic Financial Management Degree

2012

Received full institutional accreditation from the NCAAA

2015

Awarded 5 Stars in the categories of Employability and Facilities, and 4 Stars in the category of Teaching Inclusiveness and by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)

2016

Won the prestigious King Abdulaziz Quality Award in the category of private higher education institutions

2017

Received a full institutional re-accreditation for the period 2017 to 2024 by the Education Evaluation Commission Offered the Master of Energy Engineering Received accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for its 3 engineering programs Ranked among the best 100 universities in the Arab region according to QS Ranking

2018

Obtained an active membership at the Association of Arab Universities

2020

Received the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) for its Architecture Program