Najla Al-Tuwaijri Named Princess Nourah University Head

Najla Al-Tuwaijri has been appointed president of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, taking up the role in July 2026. Her appointment places her at the head of one of the largest universities dedicated to women's education in the Kingdom.

Al-Tuwaijri moves into the presidency after serving as vice president of the university from August 2025 to July 2026. Her rise within the institution has been steady, having previously held several leadership positions on campus.

Earlier in her career at the university, she served as dean of the College of Pharmacy and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, roles that gave her extensive experience in both academic administration and specialized teaching.

Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, a master's degree in Pharmaceutical Analysis from the University of Strathclyde, and a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from King Saud University.

Why it matters

The appointment reflects the growing presence of Saudi women in senior leadership across the higher-education sector. For students and staff at the university, and for families in Riyadh whose daughters study there, the move signals continuity in leadership drawn from within the institution's own ranks. It also underlines the wider push to expand opportunities for women in academic and administrative leadership across the Kingdom.

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