Press Release

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Jeddah, May 25, 2025 – In the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Noura bint Mohammed Al Abdullah Faisal, CEO of Art of Heritage, the College of Human Sciences and Design at King Abdulaziz University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Art of Heritage. This agreement aims to strengthen collaboration with institutions specializing in the cultural and creative industries, in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to empower the creative sector and bridge the gap between academic education and the labour market.

The memorandum was signed in the presence of the Dean of the College of Human Sciences and Designs, Professor Dr. Nahla bint Mahmoud Qahwaji, and Art of Heritage representative, Her Royal Highness Princess Noura Al-Faisal. These partnerships aim to develop a comprehensive system for training, research, and documentation in the fields of applied design, handicrafts, and heritage arts.

The memorandum of understanding included the following areas of focus:

• Supporting documentary research on heritage arts in collaboration with academics and specialists.
• Organizing workshops and field visits within the Department of Heritage and Textiles to introduce students to Saudi crafts and arts.
• Producing educational materials and multimedia content to document traditional crafts.
• Producing educational materials and multimedia content to document traditional crafts
• Participating in national exhibitions and events with a heritage and cultural focus.

In this context, Professor Dr. Nahla bint Mahmoud Qahwaji emphasized that this agreement reflects the college’s commitment to integrating academic education with the professional field. She affirmed that the partnership with Art of Heritage will provide King Abdulaziz University students with real-world learning opportunities through hands-on experiences and participation in projects that contribute to preserving cultural identity and enhancing the position of Saudi design both locally and globally.

On this occasion, Her Royal Highness Princess Noura Al-Faisal emphasized the importance of this agreement as part of efforts to promote and pass on knowledge to younger generations who take pride in Saudi identity and heritage. She noted that the partnership would help create new creative opportunities, stating:
“I am optimistic about the presence of young talents, and I look forward to collaborating with them through this agreement.”

Her Royal Highness also reviewed the outcomes from courses in fashion, textiles, interior design, furniture, and children’s work from the Early Childhood Centre, all of which support and enhance the cultural identity and its standing.

Art Of Heritage was established more than three decades ago as part of Al-Nahda Society, before becoming administratively independent as a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Saudi heritage. It aims to empower all segments of society—including youth, women, and people with disabilities—by providing training and suitable job opportunities in the field of handicrafts. This contributes to the preservation and sustainability of Saudi heritage.

As a nonprofit entity, Art of Heritage primarily directs its profits toward supporting education and training to ensure the sustainability of the Saudi handicrafts sector. Its mission is to build a generation that takes pride in its heritage, values its preservation, and seeks to inspire the world through its cultural identity.

#YearOfHandicrafts2025