Mohammed Alwan appointed president of Riyadh University of Arts

Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture, has appointed Dr. Mohammed bin Hassan Alwan as president of the Riyadh University of Arts, effective Tuesday, August 3, 2026.

Dr. Alwan will lead the university through its next phase, overseeing its academic and operational readiness to strengthen its role in advancing higher education in arts, culture, and the creative industries in Saudi Arabia. He will also supervise the launch of academic programs and the development of educational and sector partnerships to prepare qualified Saudi talent across various artistic fields.

Dr. Alwan’s academic and professional background

Dr. Mohammed Hassan Alwan has served as CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission since November 2024, and previously held the position of CEO of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission from 2020 to 2024. He holds a PhD in International Business Administration from Carleton University in Canada, an MBA from the University of Portland in the United States, and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from King Saud University.

Riyadh University of Arts and its role in creative education

The Riyadh University of Arts will welcome its first cohort of students in a range of specialized academic programs, including theater, performing arts, music, film, and cultural management. The university’s educational model combines academic study with practical training, aiming to nurture Saudi talent and produce graduates who will support the Kingdom’s growing cultural and creative sectors.

The university is one of the Ministry of Culture’s initiatives to enhance higher education in arts and culture and expand academic opportunities in creative fields, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to develop national talent and establish culture and the arts as key drivers of national development.