A Youth Perspective on Vision 2030

The students interviewed are in Grade 9 at Misk Schools, Riyadh’s top school for leadership. Currently aged 14 to 15, in 2030 they will all be 21 or 22, and approaching their university graduation ceremonies.

Through these interviews we gain insight into their hopes and expectations.

Maya sees Vision 2030 as a powerful driving force, linking all of the Kingdom’s valuable resources together to create a country whose structures include and support every citizen.

With a passion for microbiology, she wants to be a part of medical advancements that improve the quality of life for all. “What I hope to be doing in this grand year of goals achieved and dreams coming true is working to solve our nation’s health challenges, making a real contribution to the field I’ve been astonished by since primary school.”

Maya believes the most important skills for the future workplace are innovation, digital literacy and the ability to communicate as part of a team. She is clear that innovation isn’t just about coming up with new ideas, recognising that the process of creating something new and impactful is iterative. “Everyone who has achieved something great has built on other people’s successes,” she says. “They were standing on the shoulders of giants. I can also do the same.”

She emphasises the importance of harnessing technology in support of progress, suggesting that a lot of schools are not yet leveraging the power of AI and that this is an opportunity missed. “A digitally literate person is one who’s able to understand how to use AI beyond typing a question in a box, who knows online ethics, and who’s able to understand how the Internet works,” she explains, adding that the ability to collaborate and communicate well is also critical for future leaders: “Today’s activities require many, many minds put together (and unfortunately we still have not developed telepathy).”

As Saudi Arabia diversifies its economy and invests in mega projects like NEOM and The Red Sea Project, Abdullah is sure that Vision 2030 will deliver on its ambition to transform Saudi Arabia into one of the world’s most positively influential nations.

He shares that the courage to take risks, and the conviction to see them through are what he believes to be two of the most important qualities for leadership.  Alongside this, he has also observed the importance of adaptability – the capacity to make considered adjustments based on the context and dynamics of a situation.

While Abdullah is not yet sure of his future profession, he feels strongly that “the future is technology”, and that there will be many opportunities to work within IT and across the many sectors it is propelling, especially tourism. He would like to fulfil his aspiration of being a leader, whether politically or in a company, and knows a lot will depend on how well prepared he is to take on the responsibilities that this level of role brings. Happily, he remains optimistic that his education in a high-performance school will have equipped him with the mentality and discipline required to help achieve the Kingdom’s future goals.

Rola succinctly summarises the vision as “ambitious,” suggesting, with a modest pride, that while it comprises a set of goals and plans that other countries might view as too great a challenge, "... for Saudis, it is not."

Rola does not see this as a pressure. Quite the opposite in fact. She is liberated and empowered by what the future holds, even if she is not quite sure yet what her personal pathway might be. “I have found myself leaning towards the fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) and the broad professions that I have yet to discover and unveil,” she says. “My aim is to study a specialised field of science at one of the top universities, either abroad where I will stand as an ambassador for Saudi, or perhaps here in the Kingdom, where I belong.”

Beyond university, Rola is determined to leave a lasting legacy, saying: “My ultimate goal is to have an impact in the world, whether it is a scientific discovery or an outstanding invention, and to be involved in the perpetual development of Saudi Arabia”.

She talks of her “... desire for a position of employment where the intellectual thinking of a human being can be utilised to promise a better tomorrow.
“My dreams have no end to reach, but rather an endless horizon, and an exciting mystery.”

Khalid is aiming to secure admission to one of the esteemed Ivy League universities in the United States.

Upon completing his degree, he sees himself back at home in Saudi, working and contributing to advances in the fields of engineering or computer science. He is drawn to these disciplines by the vast array of exciting opportunities arising from the GIGA projects currently underway across the country, and those anticipated in the years to come.

He foresees returning to a visibly greener, more sustainable and developed country as a result of Vision 2030, saying: “I think that Riyadh will be walled with trees to capture its natural beauty, while futuristic projects like The Line and NEOM will have been completed, positioning Saudi Arabia as leading the world through its smart and creative use of technology.”

Khalid is certain that for the Kingdom to continue to flourish under next-generation leaders, it is important for schools to place great emphasis on coaching communication skills and on nurturing high performance for all.
“High performance is essential for the Kingdom’s success”, he says. “What we are trying to do is no easy feat, so everyone has to perform well. A country can only truly succeed if its citizens succeed with it.”

Describing Vision 2030 as “... an oath held by every Saudi to the other, promising an innovative, verdant Saudi Arabia”, Deema also plans to study overseas and envisions herself returning to Riyadh having completed a degree at a leading international university – possibly in Astrophysics. She paints a vivid and emotive picture of her return six years from now, “... back to my beautiful (now green) city of Riyadh, with so much knowledge to give, yet so much courage to further learn.”

Deema’s hopes are to become a significant part of the Saudi workforce. She dreams of participating in the development of the Saudi Space Agency and being part of the team that sends the second, third and fourth Saudi woman into space, perhaps even becoming the fifth herself. And if this dream is not realised, she expresses her confidence that she will find another, equally fulfilling career: “What I am certain about is my desire to work in something my heart is devoted to.” 

She understands that it takes commitment and effort to succeed, suggesting that “... a person who is merely compliant is something you can easily find when you cross the road. In a workplace, what you need is to glimmer, to transform and to spark with creativity, build on pre-existing ideas and sculpt them to bear a thousand more opportunities.”

"By 2030, I hope to become an exceptional, unstoppable woman”, she concludes, “able to help transform the country into something even greater.

“The future is Saudi, the future is the youth, the future is me."

- - - - - - - - 

** Not registered yet? Create your free profile here and add a response below **

To share your story, thoughts or ideas with the ISN community, please send your article draft directly to our editorial team here, or email us at [email protected]