RIYADH — Dr. Hanan Bint Abdul Rahim Al-Ahmadi, the newly appointed assistant president of the Shoura Council, expressed her thanks and gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, saying that this is a great honor and support for the Saudi women. King Salman issued a royal decree on Sunday elevating her to the third-highest position of the Shoura Council and is now considered the first Saudi woman to serve in a leadership position in the Kingdom's consultative body. In a statement issued on the occasion of her appointment, Dr. Hanan hoped that she would be able to fulfill the responsibilities of this important position in line with the trust reposed in her, the Saudi Press Agency reported. "This important position embodies the support of the Monarch and the Crown Prince for Saudi women and their keenness to activate their participation in national decision-making process and to enhance their participation in the comprehensive development that the Kingdom is witnessing in all fields." Dr. Hanan emphasized that the Shoura Council plays a tangible role in the Kingdom's political, economic and social life as well as in the decision-making, monitoring the performance of government agencies, and supporting the Kingdom's stances internationally through its role in strengthening parliamentary relations with other countries. "This role is growing in light of what the Council enjoys from the interest and support of King Salman and the Crown Prince," she said while pinning great hope on contributing to the continuous efforts made by the Presidency of the Council and its members in serving the country and citizens. Dr. Hanan was one of the first women appointed to the Shoura Council in May 2014, in a historic decision. In an interview during that time, she observed that the majority of people in Saudi Arabia realize the need for the advancement of Saudi women and to change their role in public life. "More and more we feel a positive shift in public opinion as women continue to prove that they are up to the challenge and that they can be effective equal partners in decision making," she said. During the previous two 4-year sessions of the Shoura, she had served earlier as member of the Council's Economic and Energy Committee and Health Affairs and Environment Committee, as well as a member of its 5th Parliamentary Friendship Committee. She is an eminent academic who specialized in economics and health management. Dr. Hanan served as professor of Health Services Administration and director general of the Women's Branch at the Institute of Public Administration (IPA). Dr. Hanan served in various capacities during her brilliant career. These included member of the Board of Trustees of the Riyadh Economic Forum, the Editorial Board of the Journal of Public Administration and the Scientific Council of the Institute of Public Administration, and member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Management Association. She also served as a coordinator of senior programs, and health administration at the women's branch of IPA, member of the Scientific Committee for the Ministry of Culture and Information Book Award, member of the Cultural Advice Committee for the Janadriyah Festival; and evaluator of the Sheikh Khalifa Award for Excellence in Governmental Performance. She served as visiting fellow at the National Center for Primary Healthcare Development Research, University of Manchester, United Kingdom, and participated in several Arab and international conferences and seminars where she presented many scientific papers. Dr. Hanan holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from King Saud University, a Ph.D. in health administration from the US University of Pittsburgh, and a master's degree in health administration from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in the United States.
