Dr. Enas bint Suleiman Al-Issa: Saudi Arabia’s Trailblazing Deputy Minister of Education
Introduction
In a landmark appointment reflecting both her personal achievements and the Kingdom’s broader vision, Dr. Enas bint Suleiman Al-Issa has been named Deputy Minister of Education in Saudi Arabia with the rank of excellent grade. With a career spanning decades of academic leadership, institutional reform, and national service, Dr. Al-Issa represents the rising generation of Saudi women leaders reshaping the Kingdom’s future.
Early Life and Academic Foundations
Dr. Enas Al-Issa showed early promise as a student, setting her sights on the sciences. She completed her bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation sciences at King Saud University, entering a field where few Saudi women had ventured at the time.
Pursuing higher education abroad, she earned a master’s degree in physiotherapy and later a PhD in anatomy and neuroscience from Dalhousie University in Canada. Her international academic journey not only broadened her expertise but also exposed her to diverse research methodologies and global perspectives on healthcare, rehabilitation, and neurobiology.
This scientific training laid the foundation for her future career — one that would combine research excellence with an unrelenting commitment to institutional growth and national service.
Academic Career at King Saud University
Upon returning to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Al-Issa began her academic career at King Saud University (KSU), one of the Kingdom’s most prestigious institutions. Over the years, she rose through the ranks, taking on increasingly senior roles, including:
- Vice Rector for Student Affairs
- Dean of the College of Science and Medical Studies
- University Advisor to the President
- Assistant Vice President for Academic and Educational Affairs
These roles placed her at the heart of KSU’s operations, where she oversaw student services, academic policy, curriculum design, and institutional planning. As Vice Rector for Student Affairs, she was responsible for enhancing student life, promoting academic success, and ensuring students received the support they needed to thrive.
Her tenure as Dean and Assistant Vice President allowed her to bridge the gap between faculty needs and administrative goals, ensuring that academic programs remained innovative and aligned with the Kingdom’s evolving workforce demands.
Research Contributions and Scientific Impact
Beyond her administrative achievements, Dr. Al-Issa has maintained a robust research profile, publishing over fifty peer-reviewed scientific papers. Her work, particularly in anatomy and neurobiology, has advanced understanding in areas such as neural regeneration, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation science.
She has collaborated with international and local researchers, contributed to national conferences, and mentored emerging scholars, reflecting her belief that strong research ecosystems are vital for national development.
Her dual identity as both administrator and researcher has given her a unique perspective on how to foster academic environments that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation.
Leadership at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
Dr. Al-Issa was appointed President of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) — the largest women’s university in the world. With more than 50,000 students and a sprawling campus in Riyadh, PNU stands as a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to women’s education.
Under her leadership, PNU has embarked on an ambitious strategic vision centered on empowering women, strengthening academic excellence, and expanding research capabilities.
Key initiatives under her tenure include:
- The Founding of the National Observatory for Women:
This pioneering body tracks and evaluates the performance of Saudi women across developmental, economic, and social indicators. The Observatory’s data-driven approach informs policy decisions, highlights progress, and identifies areas for further improvement, reflecting Dr. Al-Issa’s commitment to evidence-based leadership. - Expansion of International Partnerships:
Recognizing the importance of global collaboration, Dr. Al-Issa has championed partnerships with international universities and research centers, allowing PNU students and faculty to engage in joint research, exchange programs, and collaborative projects. - Focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
PNU has increasingly emphasized innovation under her tenure, establishing incubators, entrepreneurship programs, and innovation hubs to help young Saudi women turn their ideas into viable businesses, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification and female workforce participation.
National Service and Board Memberships
Dr. Al-Issa’s influence extends well beyond the university setting. Over the years, she has been appointed to numerous national bodies, where she has helped shape Saudi Arabia’s educational and developmental policies. These include:
- Board of Directors, Education and Training Evaluation Commission
- Council of Saudi Universities Affairs
- Board of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
- Steering Committee of the National Labor Observatory
- National Anti-Narcotics Committee
- Saudi Sports Federation for Universities
- King Salman Global Award for Disability Research
Her participation in these diverse bodies underscores her multidisciplinary expertise and her ability to address complex challenges ranging from education reform to labor market needs and social health.
Championing Women’s Empowerment
One of Dr. Al-Issa’s most defining contributions has been her steadfast commitment to women’s empowerment. She has consistently worked to elevate the role of Saudi women across sectors, advocating for equal opportunities, leadership development, and access to high-quality education.
Through her work at PNU and her national initiatives, Dr. Al-Issa has helped create pathways for Saudi women to pursue careers in STEM, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and public service. She has also been a vocal supporter of policies that remove structural barriers to women’s participation in the workforce, aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals of boosting female labor force participation to 30% or more.
Appointment as Deputy Minister of Education
With her appointment as Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Al-Issa steps into a national leadership role at a critical time. Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major educational transformation, with a focus on:
- Modernizing curricula to meet global standards
- Integrating technology and digital learning
- Expanding vocational and technical education
- Enhancing teacher training and development
- Promoting inclusivity and equity across all educational levels
As Deputy Minister, Dr. Al-Issa is expected to bring her extensive academic and administrative experience to bear on these challenges, helping design and implement policies that advance innovation, educational quality, and inclusiveness.
Her leadership is particularly significant for advancing the role of women in government, providing a powerful example of female leadership in a historically male-dominated sphere.
Anticipated Impact on Saudi Arabia’s Educational Future
Given her track record, experts anticipate several key areas where Dr. Al-Issa will likely focus her efforts at the Ministry of Education:
- Strengthening Research and Innovation:
Drawing on her research background, Dr. Al-Issa is expected to push for stronger research infrastructure across Saudi universities, encouraging innovation, interdisciplinary work, and partnerships with global institutions. - Promoting Gender Equity:
Continuing her lifelong commitment to women’s empowerment, she is likely to advocate for policies that expand opportunities for female students and faculty, ensuring that gender equity remains a cornerstone of educational reform. - Enhancing Global Competitiveness:
Dr. Al-Issa’s international experience will be invaluable in aligning Saudi Arabia’s educational system with global standards, preparing students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. - Data-Driven Policy Making:
Her role in launching the National Observatory for Women demonstrates her commitment to using data to guide decisions. This approach is expected to carry over into her work at the Ministry, ensuring that reforms are grounded in rigorous analysis and measurable outcomes.
Legacy and National Significance
Dr. Enas bint Suleiman Al-Issa’s journey is emblematic of the profound changes underway in Saudi Arabia. Her rise to one of the highest educational posts in the country marks a historic moment — not just for her personally, but for all Saudi women striving to make an impact in public life.
Her leadership reflects the Kingdom’s evolving vision under Saudi Vision 2030, where women are seen as essential partners in national development. By blending academic excellence, administrative expertise, and a visionary approach to institutional reform, Dr. Al-Issa has already left an indelible mark on Saudi Arabia’s educational landscape.
With her new role at the Ministry of Education, her influence is poised to expand even further, shaping the future of education, empowering the next generation of Saudi students, and contributing to the Kingdom’s journey toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy.
Conclusion
Dr. Enas bint Suleiman Al-Issa’s appointment as Deputy Minister of Education is both a recognition of her past achievements and a bet on her future contributions. With decades of leadership in academia, a passion for women’s empowerment, and a commitment to research-driven innovation, she embodies the transformative potential of Saudi Arabia’s education sector.
As she steps into this pivotal national role, the Kingdom — and indeed the world — will be watching to see how she steers Saudi education into its next chapter, ensuring that it remains a powerful engine of progress, opportunity, and national pride.
