Saudi Arabia is an oil-based economy with one of the largest oil reservoirs in the world and ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 80% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. Moreover, the statistical analysis through several financial international institutions for the country’s economy and its sustainable future indicates a notable growth in oil and energy sectors including renewable energy, energy generation, and petrochemicals. Such growth will add value to upstream energy production and will satisfy the high in-demand market’s needs.
The development of Saudi competitiveness in the industry requires the establishment of a strong technical educational program and professional training in various fields of energy that would increase the employment of Saudi youth, particularly, females. Furthermore, these energy professionals, scientists, and researchers based in Saudi Arabia would offer their outstanding potential necessary for the expected economic growth and the inevitable need for efficiently utilizing the energy resources.
At Effat University, we are continuously striving to bring new state-of-the-art academic programs to the institution to qualify and prepare women to become top leaders and dynamic professionals at international and national levels. As part of this overall effort, Effat University has developed a new Master’s program in energy called "Master of Science in Energy Engineering". The program is designed to prepare the students to address challenges faced in different aspects of energy engineering. The graduate program follows an interdisciplinary approach in design, implementation, management, energy systems upgrading, comprising production transport and efficient utilization of energy. Social and economic aspects will be integrated into a scientific and technological perspective in order to enable future professionals to deal with the complexities of today’s relationships between energy, economy, and environment.
The “Master of Science (ME) in Energy Engineering” program, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, will prepare students with the scientific and technical expertise to address the crucial issues of energy and sustainability. Offering such a program is not just achievable, but also serves the Kingdom’s general mission and vision for the achievement of a sustainable economic development. The core and elective courses of the curriculum will build a solid foundation for leadership roles in this growing and challenging energy field. The partnership with local and international institutions and research centers allows us to incorporate practical industrial knowledge and credibility to the program.