Taif University (TU), one of Saudi Arabia’s finest higher education institutions, celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting a panel discussion in honor of Saudi women’s role in society, ambitions, and achievements under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Norah Al Faiz, Vice Minister of Education, was honored for her outstanding career contributions—for over four decades she has helped develop the Kingdom’s education sector. Faiz’ extraordinary achievements and successes landed her a cabinet-level post in 2009. In parallel to the panel activities, TU announced widening the selection of programs offered to female students, including two new departments in the Faculty of Engineering, a whole other Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, and a new course entitled “Women Empowerment.” “Vision 2030 is a milestone in efforts to develop womens conditions and ensure their effective participation in economic and social progress, and to address issues in many fields such as education, health, community, and labor.” “Today women share the responsibility for the growth and progress of this country with men, side by side,” Faiz said. In a side note, professors and high-level Saudi women participated in the discussion, which chiefly dealt with the “aspirations of Saudi women and the challenges they face.” “Women should remove obstacles that limit their progress, and create a difference with their ambitions-- today there are no longer jobs that are reserved for men, jobs that are reserved for women, and the labor market is open to all,” said Abeer Al-Olayan, an oil expert. Addressing women’s rising role in journalism, Fawziah Al-Bakr, professor at the King Saud University KKUH Department of Educational polices, said: “it is time for the emergence of women in press and their close monitoring of development, considering that the road is still long and the country needs conscious pens.” She stressed that they will aid in raising awareness and shed light on social concerns.