Women Leaders in Saudi Higher Education: A Look at Succession Planning

In Saudi Arabia, the path to academic leadership is not always clear, especially for women. While gender gaps are common in many places, the higher education system in Saudi Arabia has some unique challenges. Leadership development and succession planning could help level the playing field, but these strategies are often overlooked. A recent study in Saudi Arabian universities found that top officials often handpick leaders. This happens because there's no formal process for succession planning. In a society that's heavily gender-segregated, women can find it tough to network and show their skills to those making the decisions. The study sheds light on these issues and suggests ways to make the system fairer for aspiring women leaders. It's a reminder that succession planning isn't just good for individuals, but for the entire education system.