In the Middle East, Women Are Outpacing Men in STEM

Saudi Arabia’s pioneering institution builds one of the region’s largest female tech pipelines

Across the Middle East, women are defying global trends in technology. While just 34% of STEM graduates in the United States are women (Kings College London), the region boasts a remarkable 57% (New York Times). At the forefront of this shift is Effat University, the Kingdom’s first institution to offer engineering degrees to women, and now home to more than 700 students enrolled in Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and IT programs.

“The Middle East is witnessing a paradigm shift. Families and communities are increasingly supporting women in STEM, recognising their contributions to innovation”. Dr Zain Balfagih, Dean of Effat College of Engineering at Effat University, 

Building Job-Ready Tech Leaders

Effat University’s STEM pathways are designed for employability from day one. Students begin with strong foundations in programming, data structures, and network systems, before advancing into industry-aligned specialisations such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics.

Each pathway is deliberately structured to mirror global workforce demands. Every student completes at least one industry-supervised internship and a final-year capstone project developed in collaboration with an external partner. This model ensures Effat graduates leave campus not just with academic credentials, but with hands-on industry experience and job-ready portfolios.

The impact is measurable: 41.2% of Effat graduates secure employment within six months of graduation (GOV.SA). The university’s integration of micro-credentials, professional certifications, and career-readiness modules further bridges the gap between education and employment  helping graduates transition seamlessly into Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing tech sector.

“Our students don’t just learn theory they build solutions,” added Dr. Balfagih. “By connecting them with industry leaders and encouraging innovation, we’re equipping them to lead in emerging fields that are critical to the Kingdom’s digital economy.”

Riding the AI Wave

The global artificial intelligence market is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2030 (Arab News), driving demand for skilled professionals in machine learning, automation, and data science. For Effat University, this represents not just a market opportunity but a mission.

Effat’s AI-focused programs aim to ensure that women are not only part of this transformation but leading it. The university’s research initiatives and AI labs provide students with exposure to cutting-edge projects in robotics, autonomous systems, and computer vision empowering them to innovate solutions for real-world challenges.

“When women lead in technology, they don’t just transform industries they transform societies,” Dr. Balfagih emphasised. “Our graduates are proving that women’s leadership in tech is key to building a more creative, inclusive, and sustainable future.”

A Regional Movement with Global Implications

Effat’s success reflects a broader regional momentum supported by progressive government reforms. Under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, barriers to women’s participation in education and employment have been systematically removed, resulting in unprecedented levels of female enrollment across STEM fields.

This change extends beyond Saudi Arabia. Across the Gulf, programs such as the UAE’s Nafis initiative are also incentivizing women to pursue careers in science and technology — collectively reshaping the region’s innovation landscape.

With more women entering fields such as engineering, computing, and AI than ever before, the Middle East is now one of the few regions worldwide where female participation in STEM surpasses that of men.

“What we’re seeing is a complete cultural transformation,” Dr. Balfagih said. “Our students are redefining what leadership in tech looks like not just for the Kingdom, but for the entire region.”

Learn More

To access additional data and in-depth commentary on Effat University’s female tech-talent programs, please visit: Effat University – Female Tech Talent