Saudi women's scholarly brilliance displayed at first-ever UK academic forum
The first-ever academic forum for Saudi female students, designed to allow
Saudi academics to share their experiences and achievements in the UK and
Ireland, was held at the University of Sheffield this weekend (27 March 2010).
Organised by Ahlam Al-Zahrani, a PhD student from the University´s School of
Nursing and Midwifery, the landmark event showcased the enormity of the
Kingdom´s female talent.
The inaugural forum bought together over 100 undergraduate, postgraduate and
PhD women students from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, currently studying in the
UK and Ireland. The forum was co-hosted by the University of Sheffield and the
Saudi Students´ Clubs and Schools – UK and Ireland, in association with the
Saudi Cultural Bureau.
The forum was the brainchild of Ahlam Al-Zahrani. Ahlam wanted to organize an
event where all Saudi women students, living in the UK and Ireland, could get
together to showcase their academic work, exchange ideas and support each other
in their academic endeavours.
She said: "There are many extremely talented professional women from my
country, Saudi Arabia, studying in the UK and Ireland. The generosity of King
Abdullah has meant that I have been able to attend the University of Sheffield,
one of the UK´s best universities, and pursue my studies for the benefit of my
country. His Highness has opened the doors for all women to study overseas, and
has invested heavily in the education of girls and women, and Saudi women are
extremely grateful.
"We want to repay his kindness by achieving our educational goals, and
supporting each other on our academic journeys. Together we can collaborate
towards a greater good, balancing our family responsibilities with our desire
to help others in the community once we return home."
In 2009, Ms. Al-Zahrani was elected as the Saudi Students´ Clubs and Schools
Chief Female Students´ Coordinator for the UK. The Saudi Students´ Clubs and
Schools in the UK and Ireland is a student organisation representing all Saudi
students studying in the UK and Ireland. It partners with the Saudi Cultural
Bureau in London to ease the way for Saudi students wanting to study in the UK
and Ireland.
In her role as Chief Female Students' Coordinator for the UK, Ms. Al-Zahrani
recognized the need for an academic forum for women from the Kingdom, as a way
of getting branches of the clubs around the UK and Ireland together.
She continued: "The staff at the University of Sheffield have been so
supportive of me from day one. With their support, kindness and understanding I
have been able to achieve the right balance between my doctoral studies and my
family responsibilities. It's now my turn to share my knowledge, and to support
other female students from Saudi who need help; whether it be a listening ear,
or someone to assess academic work. I am confident the forum will be the start
of many new friendships and collaborations. "
The forum highlighted the academic and practical achievements of Saudi female
students in the UK and Ireland, encouraging them to discuss what they have
learned as well as providing them with an opportunity to display their research
projects to an academic audience.
Carrie Warr, Director of External Relations at the University of Sheffield,
said: "The University of Sheffield is immensely proud and delighted to have
co-hosted the very first academic forum for Saudi female students studying in
the UK and Ireland. The University´s international students – and particularly
those from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East in general –
represent some of our most exceptional students. These talented students are
tomorrow´s leaders, and we are honoured to be able to partner with them on
their academic journey.
"The University of Sheffield prides itself on offering a cutting edge academic
environment in which all our international students can enrich their lives, and
make a difference when they return home. His Highness King Abdullah´s strategic
plan for education, and his country´s investment in the education of women to
enable them to reach the higher echelons of academia is exemplary. Saudi women
studying at the University of Sheffield show commitment, passion for their
subjects and a determination to excel.
"We are extremely proud of Ms. Al-Zahrani, of her dedication and energy in all
she achieves at the University of Sheffield, and we would like to thank her
wonderful work in organising this landmark event, which we hope will be the
first of many."
Mr Turki BinShalhoub, President of Saudi Students' Clubs and Schools - UK and
Ireland said: "We are very pleased to be part of the first academic forum for
Saudi women students in the UK and Ireland at the University of Sheffield. Our
organisation plays a vital role in helping students - both male and female -
arriving from KSA to acclimatise themselves to life in the UK and Ireland. We
support Saudi students in their quest to settle temporarily in the UK and
Ireland and make the most of their studies whilst there. We partner with
schools and clubs in the UK and Ireland, and assist where we can. We
congratulate Ms. Al-Zahrani on her vision in organising this event."
Notes for Editors: The University of Sheffield has a long established
relationship with Saudi Arabia and has been welcoming students here for many
decades. The first known Saudi Arabian graduate of Sheffield graduated in 1927.
For further information please contact: Lindsey Bird, Media Relations Manager,
on 0114 2225338 or email l.b...@sheffield. ac.uk
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