Hanan Al-Ahmadi: A Legacy of Saudi Women in National Service

Dr. Hanan Al-Ahmadi is one of the model women in Saudi society, and Saudi women have always been at the forefront of the country’s development.

She has demonstrated Saudi women’s competence in society and leadership roles by representing them admirably throughout her career, culminating in her selection as Assistant Speaker of the Saudi Shura Council.

In this article, let’s discover more about Hanan Al-Ahmadi.

Who is Hanan Al-Ahmadi?

On October 18, 2020, a royal decree appointed Hanan bint Abdulrahim Al-Ahmadi, a Saudi academic with expertise in economics and health management, as Assistant Speaker of the Shura Council.

By royal decree on December 2, 2013, she became one of the first women in Saudi Arabia to be named to the Shura Council. She had previously worked as a faculty member at the Institute of Public Administration, where she advanced through several managerial roles.

These comprised the director of programmes, the coordinator of senior leadership development programmes, and the coordinator of the health management sector. Her position as Director General of the Women’s Branch (2009-2013) was the pinnacle of her career at the Institute.

Hanan Al-Ahmadi’s Contributions in Saudi Arabia

She has an impressive history of involvement in the Kingdom’s think tanks, civil society organisations, and professional associations. She has been on both the Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University Board of Trustees since 2018 and the Riyadh Economic Forum Board of Trustees since 2013. Since 2010, she has served on the board and as a founder member of the Saudi Alzheimer’s Disease Association.

Moreover, she served on the Saudi Management Association’s board. In addition to her administrative and community service, Hanan Al-Ahmadi has conducted numerous training courses aimed at fostering leadership and administrative abilities. She has also taught at a number of Saudi universities, such as Prince Sultan University and King Saud University.

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Al-Ahmadi’s Scientific Efforts & Research

At the local and global levels, she has made significant contributions to science, research, and her profession. She has taken part in multiple official Saudi delegations to the European Parliament, the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and other international legislatures.

She has won several honours and recognitions, such as honorary membership in the Delta Omega Society for exceptional public health graduates in the US, which is based on academic achievement. Additionally, the Institute of Public Administration awarded her the Excellence in Practical Publication Award.

She later received nominations for lists of influential people, such as the Sayidaty Award for Creativity and Excellence in 2015 and Forbes’ list of the 200 Most Powerful Arab Women in 2014. She received the International Award for Exceptional Achievement in 2022 from Tulane University, which honours graduates who live outside of the US for their exceptional accomplishments.

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Key Remarks by Al-Ahmadi Regarding the State’s Trajectory

Al-Ahmadi confirmed that the Saudi royal speech given at the start of the new Shura Council year represents the leadership’s steadfast dedication to assisting parliamentary work in the nation and reflects the Council’s prominent position within the Kingdom’s legislative and oversight framework.

She went on to say that the Kingdom is undergoing a significant and qualitative transformation, characterised by a comprehensive renaissance, thanks to Vision 2030’s programmes and projects, which have strengthened Saudi Arabia’s global standing and created vast opportunities for a bright future that aligns with the Kingdom’s citizens’ aspirations.

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