Saudi Vision 2030
The Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Program for Strategic Research and Studies is hosting an event to discuss Saudi Arabia’s ambitions and noteworthy 2030 national development plan. The Forum, entitled Saudi Vision 2030: Saudi Arabia’s Plan to Meet Challenges and Shape its Future will take place on November 2, 2016 from 3 – 4:15 p.m. at the new Global UCF Building, room 101A and 101B, and will feature experts, Greg Gause, Samar Fatany, Khaled Al Maeena and David Dumke.
The Saudi 2030 vision consists of three main pillars- to be the epicenter of the Islamic world, become a global financial leader and given its unique strategic location on the world stage, bridge the markets and connect the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe. The panel will discuss the challenges of the 2030 plan and its significance in the Middle East region and abroad.
Khaled Al-Maeena is a veteran Saudi journalist, commentator, businessman and currently serves as the editor-at-large of the Saudi Gazette, and in a co-founder and board member of NAAM Association, which promotes cultural dialog and supports civil society organizations. Al Maeena, PMBF’s non-resident fellow, will play an advisory role for the Program, and will visit UCF periodically over the next year. While on campus, he will participate in the Saudi 2030 forum, as well as meet with various student groups and faculty members.
David Dumke currently serves as the Director of the University of Central Florida (UCF) Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Program for Strategic Research & Studies (PMBF). An experienced regional specialist who has worked in a number of fields including politics, business, and academia, he has established businesses serving specific needs of clients and partners – including governments, businesses, NGOs, educational organizations, and private-sector entities.
Greg Gause, is the John H. Lindsey Chair, professor of international affairs and head of the International Affairs Department at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University. He is the author of three books and numerous articles on the politics of the Middle East, with a particular focus on the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf.
Samar Fatany is a writer and columnist for the Saudi Gazette, Khaleej Times and Asia Week. She is also Senior Radio Journalist at Radio Jeddah, where she has a regular show focusing on a broad range of topics including culture, religion, and international relations.
The Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Program for Strategic Research and Studies, which is supported by the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University Annual Fund, was established in 2012. The program is housed within the Department of Political Science in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida (UCF). The program sponsors or co-sponsors public presentations by distinguished scholars and practitioners, an annual forum, student fellowships and research activities. The initiative reflects a partnership between UCF and Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU), a private university in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.