CHANGE AGENTS
Content by the Buzz BusinessQ&A with Yasmin Altwaijri, Head of Epidemiology Research,
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre
As the pace of reform accelerates in
Saudi Arabia, talented and creative
women are rising to the top across all
areas of science and technology.The so-called STEM subjects of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics
are popular study choices for young
Saudi women. In total, 28% of scientific
researchers in the Kingdom are women, in
line with the global average of 30%. Many
women who graduate with STEM degrees
from Saudi Arabia undertake advanced
study in the U.S. or other nations and return
to assume senior roles at institutions in
their home country, where their work often
earns them an international reputation.Foremost among the new cohort of female
scientists is Yasmin Altwaijri, who has
carried out groundbreaking research in
two areas that have become national
priorities as Saudi society modernizes:
obesity and mental health. Altwaijri’s
study of the rise in obesity in the Kingdom
inspired the government’s Quality of
Life program and its support for fitness,
sports, gyms, and healthy lifestyles.More recently, Altwaijri has turned her
attention to the issue of mental health.
As one of the driving forces behind the
Saudi National Mental Health
Survey, Altwaijri was instrumental
in measuring, for the first time, the
scale of mental health problems
in Saudi Arabia. Some 4,
people across the country were
interviewed for the study.Yasmin Altwaijri is focused on helping
empower Saudi women socially and
economicallyMedical scientist Yasmin
Altwaijri is one of a new
breed of high-achieving
Saudi women.On the front line of Saudi
Arabia’s research into the
causes and treatment of
mental health, obesity,
diabetes, and other
contemporary ills, Altwaijri
is an inspirational role
model for thousands
of young Saudi women
building their careers in
science and technology.