
MBSC hosts record-breaking graduation with 476 students
Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the Kingdom's world-class business school, has celebrated its largest graduating class to date, marking a significant milestone in its journey to redefine business education in Saudi Arabia. A total of 476 graduates were honored this year across the Executive MBA, Master in Finance, and Master in Management programs — an impressive 44 percent increase from 2024.
The graduating class reflects MBSC's continued momentum and strategic expansion across the Kingdom. In 2023, the school graduated 102 students; by 2024, that number rose to 330 — and now, 476 in 2025 — demonstrating a strong and sustained growth in demand for MBSC's programs.
This year's graduates represent a dynamic mix of professionals from across Saudi Arabia's key sectors, including finance, government, telecommunications, and energy. The cohort includes a rising number of women leaders, entrepreneurs, and senior executives committed to driving innovation and positive impact in their fields.
MBSC delivers its graduate programs across two locations: King Abdullah Economic City, its home campus, and Riyadh, in partnership with stc Academy. This geographic spread ensures increased accessibility while offering a consistently high standard of experiential, world-class education.
Dr. Zeger Degraeve, dean of MBSC, said: 'This record-breaking class of graduates represents more than just numbers — it signals a growing community of empowered, purpose-driven leaders. Our mission is to nurture transformative individuals who will lead with clarity, creativity, and courage. These graduates are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and we are proud to be part of their journey.'
MBSC's programs are uniquely designed to meet the evolving needs of today's business landscape, offering hands-on, practical learning that prepares graduates to lead in complex, fast-moving environments. The school's rigorous admission process ensures a diverse and high-calibre student body, many of whom hold key roles in both private and public sectors.
'MBSC has given me more than just an education — it gave me clarity in my leadership style and the confidence to make bold decisions,' said Ahmed Alsamaani, an Executive MBA graduate from the class of 2025.
'As a young Saudi woman in finance, this program shaped my voice and gave me the tools to make a meaningful impact in my field,' said Badour Alhejailan, a Master in Finance graduate.
Another student, Abdulrahman Khalid Alabaykan, a Master in Management graduate, added: 'Studying at MBSC while continuing my career allowed me to apply what I learned in real time, transforming the way I contribute to my workplace.'
MBSC continues to strengthen its position as a hub for high-impact, future-focused education in the Kingdom. With its pragmatic, entrepreneurial approach to teaching and learning, the college remains committed to developing principled, effective leaders who will play an essential role in achieving the Kingdom's Vision 2030 ambitions.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Leaders
2 hours ago
- Leaders
Acting Deputy Minister Opens Saudi Pavilion at HANNOVER MESSE in Istanbul
Eng. Albadr Fouda, Acting Deputy Minister for Industrial Enablement at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, inaugurated the Saudi pavilion at HANNOVER MESSE (World of Industry-WIN) 2025, currently taking place in Istanbul, Türkiye, and running through May 31. The pavilion highlights Saudi Arabia's industrial transformation, showcasing cutting-edge smart technologies and innovative solutions while promoting investment opportunities across key industrial sectors. The ministry's participation coincides with the launch of the Advanced Manufacturing and Production Center, a strategic initiative to accelerate smart transformation in industrial facilities through advanced manufacturing technologies—enhancing the global competitiveness of the Saudi industrial sector. Six core entities from the Kingdom's industrial and mining ecosystem are represented at the pavilion: the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Saudi Export Development Authority, National Industrial Development Center, Saudi Industrial Development Fund, and MODON (Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones). Also present are the Ministry of Investment and Obeikan Investment Group. By engaging with global leaders in industrial automation, robotics, and AI, the ministry aims to strengthen international partnerships, attract investment in advanced technologies, and position the Kingdom as a global industrial hub—aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Moreover, in a strategic move to boost its international industrial profile, Saudi Arabia is set to host the next edition of HANNOVER MESSE in Riyadh in December 2025. Related Topics : Saudi Arabia Showcases Latest Industrial Innovations at Hannover Messe 2025 Saudi Arabia to Spotlight Industrial Innovation at Hannover Messe 2025 Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia 2025 to Kick Off in December IsDB Group Commemorates Golden Jubilee Celebration Short link : Post Views: 24


Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Digital shift keeps Saudi credit card borrowing above $8bn and just 2% below record level
RIYADH: Credit card loans from Saudi banks posted their second-highest figure on record in the first quarter of 2025, after an annual rise of 12.53 percent. According to the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, this borrowing of SR30.66 billion ($8.18 billion) is just 2 percent below the all-time peak recorded at the end of 2024. SAMA figures also revealed that consumer loans reached SR479.78 billion in what was a 6.41 percent rise during the same period. The vast majority – over 90 percent – of consumer lending falls into a broad 'other' category, which includes debt consolidation, personal family expenses, or any borrowing not classified under the specific purposes. This indicates that many Saudis take personal loans for a range of needs, from home renovations to weddings, but each of those specific uses is a relatively small slice of the overall figures. Multiple factors are supporting the rapid growth of the credit card segment. A central driver is the national push toward a cashless society under Vision 2030, which has seen SAMA implementing policies to promote electronic payments and reduce dependence on cash. This includes expanding point-of-sale infrastructure, mandating that businesses accept electronic payments, and fostering fintech innovation. As a result, 79 percent of all retail transactions in 2024 were electronic, card or digital payments, up from 70 percent the year before, according to an April release by SAMA. In parallel, banking penetration has expanded, with nearly all bank cards in the Kingdom now enabled for contactless payments. By 2023, 98 percent of in-person card transactions were contactless — up from just 4 percent in 2017— according to Visa executive Andrew Torre, speaking to Arab News in October. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this shift to tapping cards and phones, ingraining cashless habits. With nearly 50 million payment cards in circulation and a decline in ATM usage, the ecosystem is primed for card spending over cash. Another factor is consumer behavior and economic policy. Strong consumer spending in Saudi Arabia — supported by economic growth and initiatives to boost household income — has encouraged more use of credit for purchases. Rather than delaying purchases, many consumers are comfortable using credit cards to buy now and pay later, especially with the availability of installment plans. Additionally, banks and payment networks are actively marketing credit cards with attractive promotions. Cashback deals, reward points, airline miles, and no-fee installment offers are abundant, which incentivizes consumers to use credit cards for both large and small purchases. The entry of Shariah-compliant credit cards has also played a role. By addressing religious sensitivities, Islamic banks have made credit cards acceptable to a wider customer base that previously avoided interest-based products. Furthermore, the growth of e-commerce and digital services in Saudi Arabia has naturally increased credit card adoption. Online retailers, food delivery apps, ride-hailing, and travel platforms often work best with card payments, so as these services proliferate, so does card usage. Consumer loan usage and slower growth trends Credit cards and personal consumer loans differ fundamentally in structure, usage, and cost. Consumer loans in Saudi Arabia are typically taken as a fixed amount to be repaid in installments over a set term, usually at relatively lower interest or profit rates. They are often used for significant expenses like buying a car, financing education, or other big-ticket needs, and come with a structured repayment plan that helps borrowers budget effectively. By contrast, a credit card provides a revolving credit line up to a predefined limit, with no fixed repayment period as long as the borrower makes minimum payments. Traditional consumer loans, which are often called personal loans, remain much larger in absolute terms than credit card debt in Saudi Arabia, but their growth has been relatively sluggish in recent quarters. These loans — which exclude mortgages — totaled SR471 billion by the end of 2024, and saw annual growth in the mid-single digits compared to double-digit growth for credit cards. In early 2024, growth was even slower. In the first quarter, consumer lending was up less than 1 percent year-on-year, and in the second quarter around 2 percent, before accelerating later in the year according to SAMA data. The uses of consumer loans are generally for big one-time expenditures or needs. The largest defined sub-category is financing for vehicles, which accounted for roughly 2.5 percent to 3 percent of total consumer loans in 2024. Other specific purposes include education loans and loans for furniture and durable goods, and vehicle and private transport means. The recent slower growth of consumer loans compared to credit cards can be attributed to a number of factors. High interest rates over 2022 to 2023, as global rates climbed, made borrowing via fixed loans less attractive, potentially dampening demand. By contrast, credit card lines were often already in place and could be tapped without a new loan application. Another factor is the growing availability of credit card installment plans and Buy Now, Pay Later services, which are increasingly used to cover expenses that previously required personal loans. With zero-interest installment offers and flexible repayment options — particularly appealing to younger consumers — many now prefer to finance mid-sized purchases through these tools rather than committing to long-term bank loans. All of this has led to personal loan growth being moderate. Nonetheless, consumer loans did rise in absolute terms, primarily driven by continued needs for cars, education, and other big expenses. The credit card segment's growth outpaced consumer loans by a wide margin, highlighting a shift in how Saudis finance their spending toward more flexible, short-term credit and digital payment tools, and slightly away from traditional fixed personal borrowing.


Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
UAE, China, India among top destinations for Saudi Arabia's non-oil goods: GASTAT
RIYADH: The UAE emerged as the leading destination for Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports during the first quarter of 2025, with shipments valued at SR21.32 billion ($5.68 billion), marking a 33.91 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from the General Authority for Statistics. Machinery and mechanical appliances were the most exported items to the UAE, amounting to SR10.19 billion. This was followed by transport equipment worth SR5.16 billion and chemical products totaling SR1.11 billion. Plastic goods were also significant, with exports to the UAE reaching SR942 million, while precious stones and base metals recorded SR860.8 million and SR848.4 million, respectively. The increase in non-oil exports aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and reduce dependency on oil revenues. Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim recently noted that non-oil activities now contribute 53.2 percent to the Kingdom's gross domestic product. GASTAT also reported a 9.27 percent rise in Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports to the UAE compared to the previous quarter, further emphasizing the Kingdom's economic diversification momentum. China ranked second among Saudi Arabia's non-oil export destinations in the first quarter, receiving goods valued at SR6.51 billion — an annual increase of 17.93 percent. Major exports to the Asian country included plastic products worth SR2.58 billion, chemical products totaling SR2.32 billion, and minerals valued at SR533.4 million. India was another prominent trade partner, with non-oil exports reaching SR5.75 billion in the first quarter, up 14.08 percent from the same period in 2024. Other key export destinations included Turkiye, which received goods worth SR2.96 billion; Egypt at SR2.56 billion; and the US at SR2.48 billion. Singapore imported SR2.28 billion worth of goods from Saudi Arabia, while Bahrain received SR2.21 billion, Belgium SR2.11 billion, and Kuwait SR1.97 billion. Overall, Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports rose by 13.4 percent year on year in the first quarter, totaling SR80.72 billion. Key ports played a vital role in this trade activity. King Fahad Industrial Sea Port in Jubail handled the highest volume of outbound non-oil goods, valued at SR9.93 billion. Jeddah Islamic Sea Port followed closely with SR9.76 billion, while Jubail Sea Port and King Abdulaziz Sea Port in Dammam facilitated exports worth SR7.17 billion and SR6.69 billion, respectively. On land, Al-Batha Port processed SR5.53 billion in exports. Al-Hadithah and Al-Wadiah ports recorded export values of SR2.10 billion and SR1.43 billion, respectively. Among airports, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh led with SR8.52 billion worth of non-oil goods exported in the first quarter, an increase of 12.84 percent compared to the previous year. King Abdulaziz International Airport followed with SR6.16 billion, while King Fahad International Airport in Dammam and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah recorded SR741.8 million and SR4.2 million, respectively. Merchandise exports Despite growth in the non-oil sector, overall merchandise exports declined by 3.2 percent year on year in the first quarter, falling to SR285.78 billion. GASTAT attributed this drop to an 8.4 percent decline in oil exports, which caused the share of oil in total exports to decrease from 75.9 percent in the first quarter of 2024 to 71.8 percent in the same period this year. Asia remained the largest market for Saudi exports, accounting for SR213.14 billion. Europe followed at SR34.51 billion, with Africa and the Americas receiving SR23.19 billion and SR13.80 billion, respectively. China was the top destination for overall merchandise exports, receiving SR44.91 billion worth of goods — an increase of 3.26 percent compared to the first quarter of 2024. India received SR28.04 billion in goods, followed by Japan with SR26.48 billion, South Korea at SR25.03 billion, and the UAE at SR24.85 billion. Imports in Q1 Saudi Arabia's imports also grew during the first quarter, rising by 7.3 percent year on year to SR222.73 billion. Machinery, mechanical and electrical equipment led imports, totaling SR57.40 billion, followed by transport parts at SR32.56 billion and base metals at SR21.30 billion. Chemical imports stood at SR19.60 billion, while minerals accounted for SR12.12 billion. Goods imported from Asia were valued at SR128.50 billion, while imports from Europe and the Americas reached SR52.94 billion and SR27.01 billion, respectively. African nations contributed SR12.53 billion in imports, and goods from Oceania were valued at SR1.73 billion. China remained Saudi Arabia's largest source of imports, sending goods worth SR59.33 billion. These included mechanical appliances and electrical equipment valued at SR23.93 billion, transport parts worth SR9.50 billion, base metals at SR6.43 billion, and even works of art and antiques amounting to SR3.19 billion. The US followed with SR17.58 billion in exports to the Kingdom, while India's exports totaled SR12.27 billion. Sea routes were the dominant entry channels for imports, accounting for SR113.11 billion. Air and land ports handled SR61.63 billion and SR25.99 billion, respectively. King Abdulaziz Sea Port in Dammam was the leading sea entry point with SR59.97 billion in imports. Jeddah Islamic Sea Port and Ras Tanura port followed with SR47.78 billion and SR8.73 billion. Over land, Al-Batha Port and Riyadh Dry Port managed goods worth SR10.78 billion and SR8.29 billion, respectively. By air, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh received imports valued at SR29.96 billion in the first quarter. King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Fahad International Airport handled SR18.60 billion and SR12.39 billion, respectively. Reflecting continued expansion of the non-oil economy, Saudi Arabia recorded a Purchasing Managers' Index of 55.6 in April, according to S&P Global and Riyad Bank. This score surpassed those of the UAE at 54 and Kuwait at 54.2, indicating robust growth in non-oil business activity. A PMI reading above 50 signals economic expansion, while a figure below 50 suggests contraction.