RIYADH — Prince Badr bin Abdullah, Minister of Culture, has appointed Dr. Mohammed bin Hassan Alwan as President of Riyadh University of the Arts (RUA). Dr. Alwan previously served as CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, a position he assumed in November 2024 after leading the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission from 2020 to 2024. He holds a Ph.D. in International Business Management 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. As president, Dr. Alwan will strengthen RUA's role in advancing specialized higher education in the arts, culture and creative industries in the Kingdom. He will also oversee the launch of academic programs and the development of educational and sector partnerships, helping prepare qualified Saudi professionals across a range of artistic disciplines. RUA will welcome its first cohort of students across a range of specialized academic programs, including theater and performing arts, music, film, and cultural management. Its educational model combines academic study with practical training to nurture Saudi talent and prepare graduates to support the Kingdom's growing cultural and creative sectors. The university is one of the Ministry of Culture's initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for academic study in creative fields.