Brief Biography
Dr. Najah Y. Ashry is the Senior Associate to the President & VP Strategic National Advancement at KAUST.
In 2008, Dr. Ashry was appointed founding Assistant Provost for Graduate Affairs at KAUST, where she worked with the management team and other professionals to develop the strategic vision and plans for the Student Affairs division, including admissions, enrollment management, registration, student life services, student development and support, and scholarship programs. In 2011, she was made Vice President of the Saudi Initiatives organization, which supports the University in implementing its vision for advancing a knowledge economy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Ashry has a bachelor's in computer science, an MBA, a post-graduate diploma in quantitative and qualitative research methods and a PhD in Management Information Systems, with a focus on strategic development and planning. She began her academic career as a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah. In 2003, she was appointed assistant professor of Management Information Systems.
Prior to assuming her position with KAUST, Dr. Ashry served as head of the female section at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As Dean of the Women‘s Section, she provided vision and strategic direction to two campuses, nine colleges and faculties, seven deanships, and a number of centers, institutions, and administrations.
In her time at KAU, Dr. Ashry served in many key roles, including Chair of the Accounting Department for the female section, Vice Dean of Admissions and Registration, and Director of the Information Technology Center for the female section.
A hallmark of Dr. Ashry’s work has been her focus on strategic development and planning, particularly in the areas of higher education, MIS, the intersection of communication technology and society, and the management of intellectual resources. She has served on numerous key national and international boards, including as a member of the Board of Directors for the Center of Planning & Strategic Studies for the Principality of Makkah Region; the KAU University Board; Albayaan Educational Board; Women National Committee at the Council of Saudi Chambers; the Saudi Management Association- Western Province; the Knowledge and Business Alliance Board; and the Dow Chemical Company Sustainability External Advisory Council.