JEDDAH, 30 January 2007 — Women students who are interested in numbers and money matters will have the opportunity for the first time in the Kingdom to pursue a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance. The Ministry of Higher Education recently accredited Dar Al-Hekma Women’s College to offer these curriculums.
Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) Chairman Saleh Al-Turki said yesterday that this step would offer more professional job opportunities for women in the Kingdom. “Banks in Saudi Arabia are currently enjoying the highest percentage of profit in the world, 130 percent of capital,” he said.
Amal El-Tigani, associate professor of finance, agreed that this is the right time to launch this degree program. “This is a positive step for women in Saudi Arabia,” she said, adding that as more women invest in securities and other financial mechanisms the demand for women analysts and brokers to serve them would increase. The education would also open the doors for women interested in hosting television programs that focus on economic matters, she added.
A joint committee including professors from the University of London, London’s City University and King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) designed the courses for the four-year Bachelor of Science in Banking & Finance degree program. Courses will be taught in English by professors from Lebanon, the US, the UK and Saudi Arabia.
