Effat College and Instituto De Empresa executive program hold open day

Forty-eight women entrepreneurs from diverse business and academic backgrounds attended the first day of this program. The Dean of Effat College, Dr.Haifa Reda Jamal Al-Lail, as well as several Effat College staff members, faculty, and students attended the program. Top-management executive personnel from D.H.L., Xenel Group HR & Training Center, Jeddah United Sports, Abdullatif Jameel Vocational Training Center, La Woman, and Optics company were present at the program. Undergraduate students from Dar Al Hekma, and College of Business Administration also attended the opening day.

Professor for the first day of the program was Dr.Ignacio de la Vega, director and founder of the International Center for Entrepreneurship and Ventures Development (ICEVED) and professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management at Instituto de Empresa in Madrid, Spain. He currently works with large firms like GE, Siemens, Banesto, Pfizer, and others in the development of corporate entrepreneurship activities. Dr. De La Vega shared his expertise and knowledge with the participants in a series of dynamic sessions including on topics including: Introduction to Entrepreneurship; The Business Creation Process; Evaluating Business Opportunities; and The Role of Innovation in Entrepreneurship Behavior. Attendees participated actively in the discussions generated through real-life case studies. Dr. de la Vega explained that there are numerous opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia and stressed that "a successful entrepreneur must develop a growth-oriented attitude and constantly change the way that she thinks in order to succeed in the dynamic and fast-paced world of entrepreneurship."

Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, Dean of Effat College, also took time out from the program to express her sincere thanks on behalf of Effat College's Board of Trustees for the generous sponsorship support of this event by National Commercial Bank. According to Dean Haifa, "NCB's efforts in support of entrepreneurship education indicate their strong commitment to developing the next generation of female entrepreneurs in Saudi society. The program continues for two more days at the Jeddah Westin. Participants are looking forward in particular to the third day of the program, which focuses on the local environment and features presentations by Mrs. Nashwa Taher, Mr. Amr Khasshoggi, Dr. Basma Omair, and Dr. Walid Fitaihi.