The Saudi-Francophone meeting kicks off at Princess Nourah University

Riyadh – Kingdom Today

In a move that reflects the depth of the cultural and academic movement that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing, the College of Languages, represented by the Translation Department at Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University, launched today, Monday, December 1, 2025, the activities of the “Saudi Francophone Meeting”, under the generous patronage of the Minister of Education, Professor Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan.

The university's conference and seminar center witnessed a remarkable attendance of a select group of Saudi and Francophone academics and experts, along with a large number of French speakers and those interested in the language from various universities and sectors, in an event aimed at building bridges of cultural communication.

Promoting intercultural dialogue in light of Vision 2030

This year’s meeting was held under the theme “Promoting Intercultural Dialogue,” a slogan that aligns directly with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to open up to the world and build a vibrant society. The meeting aimed to highlight the cultural diversity represented by the Francophone community and to showcase the growing role of the French language in the Kingdom, not only as a tool for communication but also as a vital bridge supporting the education, culture, and business sectors.

This event comes in the context of a growing historical relationship between Saudi Arabia and France, as recent years have witnessed close strategic cooperation between Riyadh and Paris that has included several areas, most notably the development of Al-Ula Governorate as a global tourist destination, in addition to expanding the inclusion of the French language in the general education curricula in Saudi Arabia, which reflects the strategic importance of this language as a tributary to the knowledge economy.

A handshake of knowledge and a language for the future

In her opening remarks, the Acting President of the University, Dr. Fawzia bint Sulaiman Al-Amro, described the event as “an intellectual handshake between language, culture, and the future.” She emphasized that Princess Nourah University, as the largest women’s university in the world, continues its pivotal national role in preparing female leaders capable of influencing a multilingual world and qualified to translate the nation’s message to the world in the language of the future.

Dr. Al-Amro added: “The university believes that multilingualism is a major competitive advantage in the age of the knowledge economy, and Francophonie is one of the most important gateways to this diversity. Through our academic programs, we are working to make the university a platform for global knowledge dialogue, which enhances the Kingdom’s active presence on the international map.”.

Diverse activities and specialized dialogue sessions

The program for the meeting was rich and diverse, including a series of accompanying events such as:

• 6 dialogue sessions: Discussed strategic themes such as “Supporting multilingual public education”, “The French language in the Saudi business sector”, and “Language as a cultural bridge to understanding global transformations”.
• 3 specialized workshops: focused on practical and skill-based aspects, including the workshop “Beyond Translation: The Art of Translating Cinema” and the workshop “Speak French Confidently While Traveling”.

The meeting also included visual presentations that reviewed the journey of pioneering Saudis and Francophones, poetry readings that blended Saudi and French literature, as well as showcasing inspiring stories of Saudis who excelled in fields that rely on the French language.

Artistic and cultural dimensions

The meeting was not limited to the academic aspect, but also included a visual arts exhibition that showcased artworks from French-speaking countries, a tasting corner reflecting the food diversity of those cultures, in addition to corners dedicated to reading and publishing houses, which turned the event into a comprehensive interactive platform.

The “Saudi Francophone Meeting” reflects the commitment of the College of Languages ​​at Princess Noura University to consolidating the approach of cultural openness and enhancing the language skills of female students, in a way that serves the goals of the university’s 2025 strategic plan and contributes to empowering Saudi women to play an influential global cultural role.