Abstract
2014 ASEE Annual Conference Highlighting the Need for Engineering Education for Females in Saudi ArabiaAlthough Saudi Arabia currently holds some of the leading academic institutions in theMiddle East as proven by international rankings, particularly in the engineering andscientific disciplines, there is also almost an absence of major engineering specialties forfemales. This paper highlights the current situation in terms of engineering education forfemales in Saudi Arabia, why it is almost absent, as well as the different academic, job-related, and cultural justifications for this phenomenon. It also subjectively compares itwith similar models existing in nearby gulf countries, as evidenced by the superiorperformance of female engineers in recent GCC engineering competitions. This paperfinally proposes a plan of action possibly utilizing current education technologies thatcould be taken to promote engineering education in Saudi Arabia.Key words: Engineering, Education, Saudi Arabia, GCC