For the first time in the history of higher education in Saudi Arabia, a female is taking part in an evaluation of a scientific thesis submitted by a male researcher. It was the norm at Saudi universities to exclude female academics from discussions involving male students. However, the English Department of the College of Languages at King Saud University has made this habit a thing of the past, which may usher in a new era. The step was described by academics as “historic,” giving the credit for this development to Dr. Saad Al-Baze'i and Dr. Odah Al-Jahni, both of whom have long been advocates of involving women in scientific debates. Researcher Ibrahim Azizi earned Wednesday a Master's degree with a rating of excellent with honors for his study on US-Arab Literature. Dr. Marsha Qatareya, who took part in the discussion of the thesis together with Dr. Al-Jahni, said, “I am proud to be among the first to break the barrier in the area of discussion of thesis at Saudi universities and I hope this will allow for more events like this in the future.” Qatareya said she had her reservations for taking part in such a landmark event however with the support from from Dr. Odah Al-Jahni, the department head, and Professor Saad Al-Baze'i gave her the needed push. – Al
