Dr. Najah Ashry Appointed VP for Saudi Initiatives

FROM THE DESK OF PRESIDENT SHIH

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Najah Ashry as Vice President for Saudi Initiatives reporting to the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance.

Since 2009, Dr. Ashry has been on secondment to KAUST from King Abdul Aziz University where she was the Dean, Women’s Section. Dr. Ashry joined our University as Assistant Provost for Student Affairs before being promoted in 2010 to Senior Assistant Provost for Graduate Affairs. In 2011, Dr. Najah was appointed to a new position of Executive Director, Saudi Initiatives. This portfolio was created to assist in realizing the King’s vision and fulfilling our University’s mission, particularly as they relate to the development of a talent pool of Saudi nationals for national and global leadership.

Dr. Ashry has played a key role in forming a team responsible for a spectrum of programs and activities. Among others, she had taken the lead in developing and implementing:

• Student development and engagement programs, including the Saudi-Research Science Institute (SRSI) and the KAUST Gifted Students Program;
• Saudi student recruitment and development initiatives;
• In-Kingdom job placement, internships and employment; and
• Undergraduate Summer Research and Training.

In leading and establishing the important work of Saudi Initiatives, Dr. Ashry has demonstrated tenacity, judgment, and resilience while developing and implementing high quality programs. Dr. Ashry’s expanded portfolio as Vice President will cover the significant function promoting our University’s core value of Citizenship, including social responsibility. I expect that we shall soon see initiatives being developed in this direction.

I wish Dr. Ashry every success in her continuing endeavors in pursuit of our University’s mission as a permanent and valued member of our senior management.

Choon Fong Shih
President