In the summer of 2002, in the war-torn city of Ramallah, 17-year-old Dalia Othman sat studying for her final school exams amidst the sound of firing bullets. Outside her home, Israeli tanks packed the streets and the weeklong curfew meant that nobody was allowed to leave home — not even to go to school. Despite the obstacles facing her, Othman dreamed of the day when she would attend college and be able to contribute positively to her country’s affairs.

Two years later, Othman’s dream became a reality when she was chosen to be one of five Palestinian students who received the Nashwa A. H. Taher Arab Women Scholarship to study at the university. The scholarship is granted to five female undergraduate students based on their outstanding academic performance and financial need. It aims to empower women and equip them with the knowledge and skills to participate actively in their community.

Nashwa Taher is a shareholder and board member of several Saudi corporations. A philanthropist and member of the Businesswomen Committee in Jeddah, Taher studied for several years at the University of California in Santa Barbara before completing her bachelor’s at King Abdul Aziz University in Saudi Arabia.

"It is imperative for women to empower themselves through education and knowledge," said Taher. "Arab women in particular need to have a voice and should be able to present their culture and heritage to the world. Investing in women’s education is key if nations are to progress and develop."

Through this scholarship, Taher hopes to give a voice to Arab women and contribute to the establishment of strong Arab women role models who can represent their region and heritage to the world.