SDG 5.6.7 Measurement/tracking of women’s likelihood of graduating compared to men’s

Updated 30/10/2025

5.6.7Majmaah University Gender Graduation Rates and Mentoring Initiatives

Tracking and Publishing Gender-Based Graduation Rates

Data Collection on Female vs. Male Graduation:

Majmaah University does measure and publish statistics on the gender of its graduates. In fact, the university’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) reports include a specific indicator (SDG 5.6.7) addressing women’s likelihood of graduating compared to men’s mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa. These reports provide breakdowns of graduates by gender and degree level. For example, in the academic year 2021–2022 women made up 52.2% of bachelor’s degree graduates and 54.8% of master’s graduates, resulting in 55.9% of all graduates (across all programs) being female mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa. Such data is published on the university’s official website, demonstrating that Majmaah University actively tracks graduation outcomes by gender.

AY 2021-22 MU Graduates including PG-Diploma by Gender

Gender Differences in Graduation Rates (Last 3–5 Years):

The available data suggest that female students graduate at rates roughly equivalent to their male counterparts. In recent years women have consistently comprised about half of all graduates. For instance, during 2022–2023, about 48% of Majmaah’s graduates were female (with 2,315 male graduates vs. 2,129 female) mu.edu.sa. In other years the female share has even exceeded 50%; in 2021–2022 women accounted for approximately 55–56% of total graduates mu.edu.sa. Overall, the graduation rate gap between genders is minimal – female students graduate in nearly the same proportions as males. The university’s reports note that “the numbers show that female students are almost half of the university students” in terms of graduates mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa. There is no persistent significant gender gap in graduation outcomes over the past 3–5 years; both genders have comparable completion rates.

Numbers of Graduated Students

https://www.mu.edu.sa/sites/default/files/2024-01/

As shown in the above table, the number of graduated male students are 2315 of the total students’ number which is 4444. So, the percentage of the graduated male students is 52% and 48$ refers to the females.

The numbers shows that female students are almost half of the university students.

(1/4/1) Total Number of Students (New – Enrolled – Graduates)

https://www.mu.edu.sa/sites/default/files/2024-01/

Table (1/1/4/1) shows the distribution of new students, enrolled students, and graduates at the university during the academic year 1443/1444 AH, categorized by academic status, nationality, and gender.

Table (1/1/4/1): Distribution of new students, enrolled students, and graduates at the university categorized by academic status, nationality, and gender during the academic year 1443/1444 AH.

As shown in the above table, the number of graduated Saudi male students is 2281 of the total students’ number which is 4283. So, the percentage of the graduated male students is 53% and 47$ refers to the females.

On the other hand, the overall number of graduated female students is 2022 of the total students’ number which is 4337. So, the percentage of the graduated female students is 47%.

As a result, we notice that the percentage of the graduated female students is almost the half of the overall students’ number.

Initiatives to Close Any Gender Gaps:

Even though women’s graduation rates are nearly on par with men’s, Majmaah University has introduced programs to support female student success and ensure no gap widens. The Office of the Vice President for Female Student Affairs spearheads many of these efforts. For example, in 2023 the university conducted a series of workshops aimed at developing female students’ entrepreneurial skills and leadership capacity mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa. Over 215 women (students and staff) attended these workshops, which were part of the “Saudi Civilized Women” initiative to enhance the strategic role of women at the university mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa. Such programs equip female students with additional skills and confidence, which can improve their academic performance and career readiness. Additionally, the university encourages female participation in research and innovation competitions by providing mentoring and support. A team of faculty from various disciplines (Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Science, Education, etc.) was assembled to mentor and supervise female students in the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity (Ibda’a 2022) mu.edu.sa. This interdisciplinary mentorship helped female students engage in scientific research competitions, reflecting the university’s commitment to nurture female talent. Beyond female-specific programs, Majmaah University also offers general academic support initiatives (tutoring, skill-building courses, etc.) open to all students, which benefit both men and women – for instance, training courses on research methods, CV design, and communication skills were recently offered to “all male and female students,” with certificates provided upon completion mu.edu.sa. In summary, the institution has taken proactive steps to maintain gender equity in outcomes, focusing on empowering female students through additional guidance, skills workshops, and mentorship opportunities. These measures help ensure that women at Majmaah University have equal opportunities to thrive and complete their degrees, thereby closing any potential gender gap in graduation rates mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa.

The University Agency for Female Student Affairs concludes a series of workshops on developing and refining entrepreneurial skills to enhance women's leadership and strategic role at the university.

Under the patronage of the University President, Professor Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Mazal, the University Vice-President for Female Student Affairs held a series of workshops dedicated to developing and refining entrepreneurial skills to enhance women's leadership and strategic role at the university during the second semester of the academic year 1444 AH, as part of the "Civilized Saudi Woman" initiative.

The workshops were presented over a period of two weeks and were attended by (215) female university staff. The Vice President for Female Student Affairs opened the session on the importance of the pioneering role of Saudi women during the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, may God protect him, and the importance of acquiring entrepreneurial skills in accordance with the ambitious vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030. The activities began with a workshop entitled (Entrepreneurial Leadership Transformation and Change Management), presented by Her Excellency Dr. Mona Jaber Ahmed, a faculty member at the College of Sciences and Humanities in Al Ghat. This was followed by the second workshop presented by Her Excellency Dr. Dalal Abdel Aal, a faculty member at the College of Business Administration, entitled Entrepreneurial Behavior (Entrepreneurial and Creativity Skills). Finally, the workshops on developing and refining entrepreneurial skills were concluded with a workshop entitled:

Entrepreneurial Leadership (Reality and Requirements), presented by Professor Jawaher bint Muhammad Al-Zoman, a faculty member at the College of Business Administration. All the workshops addressed the importance of entrepreneurial leadership and the role of women in creating change and creativity within the Kingdom’s vision 2030.

In conclusion, the Vice President for Female Student Affairs expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the University President's support and patronage, and for everything that would develop and refine women's skills and their strategic leadership role at Majmaah University. She also thanked the workshop presenters, female faculty members, for their enriching presentations and the generous attendees for their participation and interaction.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center participates in supervising female students participating in the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity.

A group of elite academics and specialists from the university participated in the research supervision of talented female students participating in the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity "Ibd'a" for the year 2022, which is organized by the Ministry of Education and the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity "Mawhiba", in implementation of the education policy in the Kingdom to encourage and develop the spirit of research and scientific thinking, as the Olympiad comes in an effort to create a competitive, creative scientific environment that stimulates the mind of the scientific researcher, and prepares him to compete and enter the global knowledge system based on innovation and scientific research to achieve sustainable national development.

The University's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center held a number of meetings to introduce the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity and to follow up on the developments in female students' projects. A group of faculty members from different specializations participated from the university, namely: Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi from the College of Engineering, Dr. Fadia Al-Mutairi from the College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Dr. Hoda Hakim from the College of Medicine, Dr. Amani Hassan from the College of Science, Dr. Warda Al-Haqil from the College of Education, Ms. Hajar Al-Mujahed from the College of Science, and Ms. Ashwaq Al-Mutairi from the College of Education.

It is worth noting that the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity is an annual scientific competition targeting middle and high school students. It is based on competition in one of the scientific fields, through the presentation of individual scientific projects according to the required special standards and controls. Projects are judged according to specific scientific criteria with the aim of identifying outstanding projects for nomination to the higher competitive stages.

This participation comes with the support of His Excellency the University President, Professor Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Muzal, and the follow-up of the University Vice President for Female Student Affairs, Dr. Jawaher bint Abdulrahman Al-Omar, to strengthen the research and innovation system and focus on achievements in various fields of science and knowledge.

Mentoring and Guidance Programs for Students and Graduates

Individual Mentoring Sessions for Graduates:

Majmaah University provides one-on-one mentoring and counseling services to its students and recent graduates to support their academic and professional development. Notably, the university’s Graduate Affairs and Career Development Center (under the Deanship of Student Affairs) offers personalized career guidance. Graduating students and alumni can attend individual career counseling sessions as part of this center’s services mu.edu.sa. For example, the Director of this center highlighted that its mission includes “career counseling, job fairs, training and development programs” for students and graduates, all aimed at smoothing their transition into the workforce mu.edu.sa. During the Career Launch Forum 2025 – a university-hosted employment and guidance event – Majmaah University emphasized the importance of such mentoring, explicitly stating that the forum’s goal was to “provide graduates with direct access to employers” and “qualify job-seekers through career guidance and mentorship programs” mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa. This demonstrates that structured mentorship (including individual advisory sessions) is available to help graduates plan their careers, improve their job-seeking skills, and address personal development needs on a one-to-one basis. The presence of full-time counselors and advisors means graduates can book appointments to receive tailored guidance regarding their professional paths mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa. In short, yes – Majmaah University offers formal mentoring programs where students and recent graduates can receive individual counseling/mentoring sessions to support their academic progress and career launch.

MU HOSTS THE CAREER LAUNCH FORUM 2025

Under the patronage of MU Rector, Prof. Saleh Al-Mezal, the Graduate Affairs and Career Development Center at the Deanship of Student Affairs, hosted the Career Launch Forum 2025.

The forum kicked off with a recitation of the Holy Quran followed by a speech from Prof. Mohammed Al-Aboudi, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, who highlighted MU’s role in supporting its students and graduates and enabling them to build successful professional futures. He explained that the Career Launch Forum reflects the university’s strategic commitment to bridging the gap between education and the labor market by connecting graduates with potential employers through an interactive professional platform. The forum also serves as a strategic opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the public, private, and academic sectors in line with Saudi Vision 2030 to empower youth and increase employment rates.

A short film was played showcasing inspiring success stories of MU’s graduates who have assumed leadership roles in various government sectors.

This was followed by a panel discussion where senior advisors and directors shared their experiences and insights on employment opportunities for graduates. The session also featured a Q&A session.

Dr. Asma Al-Zahrani, Director of the Graduate Affairs and Career Development Center, delivered a speech highlighting the Forum’s role in empowering graduates and connecting them with employment opportunities. She outlined the Center’s mission, objectives, and services, including career counseling, job fairs, training and development programs, and building professional partnerships. Dr. Al-Zahrani also reviewed key achievements, such as meeting 92% of employment targets with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF – Taqat), employing 240 graduates this year, and securing jobs for over 6,292 graduates between 2023 and 2025.

MU Rector toured the accompanying exhibition, where companies and institutions showcased their contributions aligned with the Forum’s goals and high standards.

The 2-day forum aims to provide graduates with direct access to employers, qualify job-seekers through career guidance and mentorship programs, build a comprehensive database connecting graduates with employment opportunities and strengthen the alignment between educational outcomes and market demands to positively impact employment rates and workforce stability.

The Forum also features a series of in-person and online workshops for students on topics such as professional networking, using LinkedIn effectively, CV preparation, and mastering job interviews.

Professional Mentors from Various Disciplines:

The mentoring and advisory services at Majmaah University are delivered by a diverse team of professional mentors, faculty, and counselors from across different colleges and specialties. According to the university’s advising manual, students have access to “full-time professional consultants and academic advisors” through the Student Counseling and Advising Unit mu.edu.sa. These advisors include trained counselors as well as faculty members who understand the academic programs in their fields. Each college within the university typically has an Academic Advising Unit and an Alumni Affairs Unit – meaning mentors from each discipline are involved in guiding students of that discipline (and coordinating centrally to share best practices) mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa. Majmaah University often takes an interdisciplinary approach to mentoring. A clear example is the mentorship provided during the Scientific Creativity Olympiad: faculty members from Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Science, and Education all participated together as a team of mentors supervising student projects mu.edu.sa. By drawing mentors from various colleges and professional backgrounds, the university ensures that students can receive well-rounded guidance relevant to their specific major and career interests. This group-mentoring approach was also evident in the Career Launch Forum, where senior advisors and industry experts from different sectors shared insights with graduates during panel discussions and Q&A sessions mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa. In sum, Majmaah’s mentoring schemes are not left to a single department; they are a university-wide effort. Teams of experienced mentors from diverse disciplines are involved in academic advising, career counseling, entrepreneurship training, and other support programs, providing students with a broad network of expertise mu.edu.sa mu.edu.sa. This collaborative, multi-disciplinary mentoring structure helps address students’ needs in a holistic way.

The Counseling and Academic Advising Services aims to direct students towards exploring and achieving their educational, interpersonal, career, and life goals. We guide the students through the academic experience from the time they first enter college until their final semester and help them align their academic and career pursuits. Advisors at the student guidance and counseling center will help you navigate the educational system to clarify the process and help to select courses and programs to meet your short and longterm goals. We provide comprehensive advising services, including life, career, and educational planning, interpretation of assessments, strategies to address academic difficulties, programs to develop student success skills, preparation for transfer to a university, and job readiness.

Student counseling center services organize lectures, courses, and awareness workshops. Students consult full-time professional consultants and Academic Advisors at the “Student Counseling and Academic Advising Unit” at Majmaah University.

Student’s rights:

Privacy :

▪ Regarding all information provided by the student regardless of its nature.

▪ Regarding the place and facilities where the counseling is provided.

▪ Regarding the student’s cultural background.

▪ Privacy means accepting the student as he is, not how he should be.

Confidentiality:

Regarding any information provided to the counselor by the student, it is the right of the student to keep such information confidential unless he gives his consent to release such information. This is the fundamental right of the student, an essential professional practice, and also it supported by society.

Freedom of choice:

The student counseling Unit provides optional services available to willing students. Therefore, services are not imposed on any student. Moreover, it is the right of the student to choose the counselor that he feels more comfortable with to receive the unit’s services.

Academic Guidance and Counseling Centre

Community College, Majmaah University, decided to establish The Academic Guidance and Counselling Centre on 09/03/1433 under the slogan - "our duty is to help you when you come to us ... and help you when we feel you need us" This is the first of its kind at Majmaah University. The Centre aspires to provide support and guidance for the students during their course of study to fulfill the necessary requirements for graduation within stipulated time. This is to be done enhancing levels of independence and self-confidence of the weaker and problematic students through suitable counselling and guidance provided by the experienced and competent people in the college. High level of achievement and higher success rate are beneficial in the line of the requirements of the quality assurance and this will lead a step forward towards the academic accreditation.

Identification of the Academic Guidance and Counseling Office

·       One of the Administrative Units associated with the college.

·       Follow the Vice Dean's Office for Student Affairs in the college, organizationally.

·       Follow the Dean's Office in the absence of the concerned agencies.

·       Set the necessary plan for the Academic Guidance and Counselling in the college and follow up its implementation.

·       Consolidate the Academic Guidance culture, create the demand for it and published it in the community of the college.

Guidance Aligned with International Standards:

Majmaah University’s student support and mentoring practices are designed in line with professional and international standards for guidance and counseling. The establishment of the Academic Guidance and Counseling Center was partly driven by quality benchmarks – the center’s mandate is to boost student success “in line with the requirements of quality assurance” and accreditation standardsmu.edu.sa. In practice, the university provides comprehensive advising services that mirror global best practices in higher education. According to the Counseling and Academic Advising Services manual, Majmaah’s advisors guide students from their first enrollment until graduation, helping with course selection, academic planning, career exploration, and personal developmentmu.edu.samu.edu.sa. The services include not just academic advising but also personal counseling, career planning, skills workshops, and even life-skills development – a scope comparable to student support models in internationally accredited universitiesmu.edu.samu.edu.sa. Professional ethics and standards are emphasized: the counseling unit highlights student privacy and confidentiality rights, and employs qualified counselors (including social workers and psychologists) to assist students, which aligns with international counseling normsmu.edu.samu.edu.sa. Furthermore, Majmaah’s career development initiatives integrate global outlooks such as bridging education to employment, entrepreneurship aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, and partnerships with industry – ensuring that mentoring is relevant to real-world standardsmu.edu.samu.edu.sa. The results speak to the effectiveness of this approach: the Career Development Center has succeeded in meeting 92% of targeted employment rates in collaboration with national programs and has helped thousands of graduates secure jobs in recent yearsmu.edu.sa. In summary, Majmaah University applies a high-quality, structured guidance system. Its counseling and mentoring programs adhere to recognized best practices – comprehensive support from academic through career counseling, trained professional staff from multiple disciplines, and a commitment to continuous improvement under quality assurance frameworksmu.edu.samu.edu.sa. This alignment with international standards ensures that students and graduates receive robust support and professional counselling as they progress through their studies and transition into their careers.