Leadership Development for Saudi Professionals

KAUST Saudi Leadership Program launches first edition of Emerging Leaders in the Legal Profession

In June 2021, KAUST welcomed more than 50 young men and women from 26 organizations representing government, industry, academia and the law to the newest iteration of the KAUST Saudi Leadership Program (KSLP): Emerging Leaders in the Legal Profession. The program took place online from June 27 to July 1.

Emerging Leaders in the Legal Profession represents the ever-expanding portfolio of leadership development initiatives associated with KSLP. The new initiative underscores KAUST’s long-standing commitment to advancing the Kingdom’s development priorities and vision through ongoing investment in local talent, which will in turn create a national innovation and knowledge ecosystem.

After extensive research into the skills and attributes needed for success in the legal profession in the Kingdom, KAUST – in collaboration with London Business School (LBS) – developed a customized curriculum specifically designed to accelerate and elevate the career development of Saudi Arabia’s young legal professionals. The challenging curriculum contained a rich and diverse blend of lectures based on industry best practices, inspiring personal stories and professional insights from KAUST executives through the KAUST Leadership Speakers series, as well as live simulations featuring professional actors.

This year, participants heard from numerous KAUST academic and administrative leaders such as President Tony Chan, General Counsel and Secretary of the Board of Trustees Fletcher Fairey, Vice President for Strategic National Advancement Dr. Najah Ashry and KAUST Provost Larry Carin. KSLP participants are often recognized as the next generation of leaders of their respective organizations. Once nominated, participants go through a competitive selection process. The resulting network of talented young professionals create a vibrant professional community with a strong connection to KAUST changemakers, thinkers and innovators, as well as fellow emerging leaders in the Kingdom. Graduates receive KAUST certificates, and often return to attend various enrichment programs and other events held by the university.

KAUST’s Strategic National Advancement division launched KSLP in 2010. The portfolio of leadership development programs has significantly evolved since its inception to include a range of Saudi professionals from the early stages of their careers to managers, executives and academic leaders across all sectors and industries. “The KSLP initiative is highly stimulating, far-reaching and impactful. It is an immersive virtual experience that is designed to build leadership capacity and capability to help further an individual’s career. We aim to help build new understanding, new behaviors, new mindsets and new skills,” Linda Irwin, LBS Director of Business Development and Client Relations, said.

DR. NAJAH ASHRY Vice President for Strategic National Advancement

A STRONG LEGAL INFRASTRUCTURE WILL SUPPORT SAUDI ARABIA’S MOST AMBITIOUS AIMS, FROM CREATING A BETTER ENTREPRENEURIAL ENVIRONMENT TO EMPOWERING PRIVATIZATION AND INVESTMENT, PROTECTING AND ATTRACTING HUMAN CAPITAL, AND MORE. SAUDI LEGAL PROFESSIONALS WILL BE A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND A NEW ERA OF GROWTH FOR THE KINGDOM. OUR SECTORS AND COMMUNITIES NEED LEADERSHIP TO PUSH THE NATIONAL VISION FORWARD. BUREAU OF EXPERTS AT THE

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

“Thanks to KAUST’s investment in local talent through initiatives like the

KAUST Saudi Leadership Program, the Kingdom’s brightest young minds are taking the lead in contributing to a national ecosystem of innovation and knowledge.” Mohammed Esam Bin Saeed, Legal Advisor to the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers and KSLP Participant