Saudi Aviation MSc Launch: PNU and DCU Partner to Train Industry Leaders

The PNU-DCU aviation leadership programme is developing a new generation of Saudi executives, including its first mixed-gender cohort. By combining global academic standards with industry expertise, it prepares mid-career professionals to lead the Kingdom’s major projects.

The Saudi aviation sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation. At the heart of it is a long-standing partnership between Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) and Dublin City University (DCU) that is currently breaking new ground.

PNU Opens MSc in Aviation Leadership to Men

Historically a female-only institution, PNU is marking a significant milestone by opening this specific MSc in Aviation Leadership to both male and female applicants. In an interview with Aljaweea, Prof. Marina Efthymiou, a key figure in the programme, describes the mixed-gender cohort as a milestone. While the course has historically supported women, Efthymiou notes that this mixed-gender classroom reflects the modern leadership environments now emerging across Saudi aviation.

riyadh-air -HRDF-MoU-saudi-aviation-talent
Riyadh Air and Human Resources Develpment Fund signed MoU to support training and develoment of Saudi telent across the aviation sector back in 2023

Vision 2030: Training the Next Generation of Leaders

This decision supports Vision 2030 and the National Aviation Strategy by building the talent needed for projects such as Riyadh Air and King Salman International Airport. “This cohort is positioned to move more women into management and executive pipelines,” Prof. Efthymiou explains, while ensuring all participants gain the “cross-system perspective” required for complex infrastructure leadership.

Efthymiou stresses that the programme combines DCU’s global aviation expertise with PNU’s knowledge of Saudi higher education. Lecturers offer international academic quality and regional relevance, aligning content with Vision 2030 priorities. Participants earn a European MSc from DCU, gaining exposure to and skills in strategy, governance, sustainability, and digital transformation to advance their careers into senior aviation leadership roles in Saudi Arabia. She states, “This is a leadership investment, not just a qualification.”

From Theory to the Tarmac: Rehab Barashi

The programme’s impact is best seen through its industry exemplars. Rehab Barashi, now an Operations Excellence Senior Specialist at the Irish airport consulting company daa International, represents the professional elevation the course promises. Her journey from being a volunteer in 2018 at King Abdulaziz International Airport to an award-winning senior specialist serves as a blueprint for students.

Speaking to Aljaweea, Barashi, who will be a speaker on the course, emphasises the regional stakes:

“This initiative is particularly meaningful to me because developing future aviation leaders in the MENA region is essential for the growth and sustainability of our industry”.

Premium Investment: The ROI of a European MSc

The SAR 166,000 programme is a premium, world-class academic investment offering a ‘triple crown’ accredited MSc from DCU Business School. It offers a flexible model, combining intensive Riyadh-based on-campus sessions with advanced learning. Prof. Efthymiou notes that this high-quality academic experience is designed to provide a significant return on investment by preparing early/mid-career aviation professionals for senior executive roles in the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, while allowing them to continue to drive the industry forward in their current roles.

investing-in-transformational-leadership

Beyond Theory: Real-World Training for Saudi Experts

The curriculum avoids abstract theory, focusing instead on local realities: airport decarbonisation, AI in operations, and navigating GACA regulations . As the Kingdom aims to become a global hub connecting continents, this programme provides the “visionary, transformation-driven leadership” needed to turn that ambition into reality.

Back to top button