RIYADH — The Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University has launched the "midwifery" program for Bachelor degree, which will be under the College of Nursing. The applicants admission of the program is going to begin next semester. It is considered the first Bachelor degree in Midwifery in Saudi Arabia and it consists of 5 academic years divided as followed: foundation year, 3 years off-course and the intern year. The Vice Rector of Educational Affairs Dr. Nawal AlRasheed said that this program in particular was one of the first programs that the university was seeking to create, as PNU is concerned in women"s education and has a responsibility to contribute to achieve the Saudi Vision 2030 goals by empowering Saudi women in all sectors. Dr. AlRasheed also noted that the creation of the midwifery program comes within the university"s five-year plan to create and develop academic programs that have a direct support from the university’s Rector Dr. Enas AlEissa. The program was launched in 2018-2019, in response to the need of the labor market and the national employment plan in the both sectors; public and private, which contribute to achieving the development needs of the country. Dr. AlRasheed explained that the work to build the program was done through a committee formed by the College of Nursing and consists of number of specialists. It will be under the direct supervision of the University’s Vice Rectorate for Educational Affairs. The College of Nursing took into account the preparation of the program in accordance with local and international standards, including the American Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). The Dean of Nursing College Dr. Samira AlSinani stated that the College of Nursing at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University is going to qualify distinguished cadres to work in the midwifery field, thereby contributing to the quality of midwifery profession services and meeting the community’s need. The creation of this program is supported as well by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties due to the need for the labor market. AlSinani indicated also that the midwifery profession is one of the healthcare fields. It provides care for women during pregnancy, labor and delivery in addition to postpartum period. The midwife as well is concerned in newborn babies up to six weeks old, including helping the mother in breastfeeding. The College of Nursing at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University offers a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Sciences and a Master’s in Advanced Nursing Practice (General) in partnership with Dublin City University. — SG