Prof. SARA JEZA ALOTAIBI

Accomplished technology leader with a track record of success in leading technical innovation

Professional Profile : 

I am a Professor of Web and Internet Technologies with extensive experience in digital innovation, strategic transformation, and institutional governance. My journey blends academic rigor with real-world impact, reflecting a deep commitment to enabling positive change across sectors.

Current Role:
I currently serve as a Senior Advisor for Governance and Institutional Excellence at the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA). In this role, I lead initiatives to enhance institutional frameworks, promote compliance, and improve performance at the national level.

Leadership in Business Development and Policy:
Previously, I served as Deputy General Manager for Business Development and Partnerships at the Institute of Public Administration. I was responsible for leading and managing the Business Development Portfolio, with a particular focus on revenue generation, strategic planning, and activating high-impact partnerships both locally and internationally. I also oversaw the Gender Balance File, which became a national benchmark for policy innovation and organizational transformation. One of my most transformative contributions was the founding and supervision of women’s branches across the Institute, ensuring their strategic integration and operational excellence. I led efforts to expand women’s participation and implement reforms that resulted in tangible organizational and cultural change.

Academic and Technological Innovation:
My academic career includes several senior leadership roles at Taif University, where I served as Dean of the Female Students’ Campus, Dean of Library Affairs, and Vice Dean for E-Learning and Vice Dean for University Development. Throughout these roles, I led comprehensive academic and administrative transformations, introducing high-impact structural reforms that elevated the university’s operational effectiveness and enhanced the educational experience. I take pride in having driven meaningful change within a short period, aligning academic development efforts with national priorities and digital transformation goals.

As a professor and researcher, I have published over 60 academic papers, secured multiple industrial designs, and designed more than 20 electronic systems focused on web security, digital access, and social impact. My work includes building an online national observatory that integrates local and international indicators to support evidence-based policymaking.

Let’s connect and collaborate to translate vision into measurable, lasting impact.

Skills and Areas of Expertise : 

Technology Governance	Technology Integration	Policy Development
Government Sector Expertise	Change Management	Process Optimisation
Strategic Planning	Social innovation	Stakeholder Engagement
Full Lifecycle Program Management	Transitional Methodology	Patent and Copyright
Technology Strategy & Roadmaps	Solutions Development	Continuous Improvement
Technology-driven Social Organisations	Innovation Leadership	Research and Development

Technology Innovation and Research Background / Selected Achievements:

• Transitioned to the Institute of Public Administration, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2022, taking on roles such as Deputy General Manager for Business Development and Partnerships.
• Spearhead the Gender Balance Center, focusing on applying technology for gender equality in the workplace.
• Actively engaged in committees at the Institute of Public Administration, contributing to strategic transformation projects and the Center for Equal Opportunities for Gender at Work.
• Support organizations through technology innovation. Led the development of an online observatory with national and international indicators, leveraging technology to measure and promote gender balance.
• Balance the introduction of innovative ideas with cultural sensitivity, aiming for societal acceptance, and envisioning a better future for the entire country.
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to perpetual innovation, with each endeavor reshaping not just technology but the fabric of society.
• Broad background in optimizing user experience, how technology affects people, and creating innovations to help others and have a greater impact on society as a whole.
• Skilled in planning, administering, coordinating, and executing successful large-scale data-driven research projects and technology development, experienced in improving operating infrastructures. Committed to helping organizations achieve maximum benefit through meticulous research and implementation of data-driven technologies and solutions.
• Designed, developed, and implemented more than 20 different electronic systems such as the Taif Special Needs Group website, FingerID System (a new Security Model Based on Fingerprint Recognition for Distributed Systems), e.PAPER Website, Aviation Consulting Group website, Deanship of Distance Learning Web System, 2005 – 2017
• Researched and developed multiple technology patents and copyrights, including:
  • An electronic walking stick linked to a web application with interactive maps and sensors for the safe movement of the blind (Industrial product #6767), Saudi Patent Office, Saudi Arabia, 2018.
  • A New Smart Card With Multi-Authentication Tools (MAuth Card) (Industrial product No# 6411), Saudi Patent Office, Saudi Arabia, 2017.
  • Saudi Coffee Maker using Percolator Classic Coffee Maker (Industrial Product #5071), Saudi Patent Office, Saudi Arabia, 2016.
  • FingerID – Copyright Software, University of Southampton, UK, 2011.

Employment History:

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

TAIF UNIVERSITY, Taif, Saudi Arabia

KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Website programmer & laboratory technician, King Abdulaziz University, 2007-2009

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON, Southampton, UK

Visiting Researcher to the Web and Internet Lab – University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, 2014 – 2017

Education and Qualifications:

Professional Development and Training:

• Evolving Digital Regulations: AI’s Impact on the Digital Economy: Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on the Economy, HEC Paris, 2025
• Leading Digital and AI Transformation, IMD, 2024
• Digital Policy and Regulations Program, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, 2024
• AI Fundamentals, Informa Connect, 2024
• Orchestrating Winning Performance (OWP), IMD, 2023
• Mini MBA Business Administration Program – CPD Certification, 2022
• Women Leader Program in cooperation with Princess Nourah University, iNSTEAD, 2023
• Orchestrating Winning Performance (OWP) – IMD, 2023
• Integrated Policy Management Professional (IPMP), 2023
• Integrated Data Privacy Professional (IDPP), 2023
• GRC Professional Certification, 2023
• GRC Audit Certification, 2023
• GRC Certify, 2023
• Attended more than 200 professional courses in IT and leadership, 2006 – 2022
• Fluent in English and Arabic

Organizational and Committee Memberships (Technology Innovation)

• Member of the High Committee of the Institute of Public Administration, Saudi Arabia, 2018 – Present
• Member of the Critical Functions Committee of the Institute of Public Administration, Saudi Arabia, 2018 – Present
• Member of the Strategic Transformation Projects Committee of the Institute of Public Administration, Saudi Arabia, 2018 – Present
• Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Information Technologies and Lifelong Learning, Infonomics Society, UK, 2017 – Present
• Founder of Saudi Lady Geek – King Salman Youth Center, Saudi Arabia, 2014 – Present
• Vice Dean of e-learning and Distance Education, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia, 2015 – 2017
• Member of the Board of Information Technology Department, Faculty of Computing, Taif University, Saudi Arabia,2014 – 2018
• Member of the Taif University Council, Taif University, Saudi Arabia, 2017 – 2018
• Member of the National Transformation Committee, Taif University, Saudi Arabia
• Member of the Development and Follow-up Committee, Taif University, Saudi Arabia.
• Member of the Intellectual Security Committee, Taif University, Saudi Arabia
• Member of the Scientific Committee of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology
• Member of the Special Needs Committee, Taif University, Saudi Arabia
• Member of the committees of evaluating graduation projects for students of the Faculty of Computing, Taif University, Saudi Arabia
• Member of the committee of investigation and follow-up administrative violations at Taif University, Saudi Arabia
• Member of the Performance and Quality Evaluation Committee, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, Taif University, Saudi Arabia
• Member of the team assigned to the Taif University Pavilion at the Higher Education Conference, Saudi Arabia
• Member of the Scientific Committee of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, Saudi Arabia
• Member of the Electronic Organization Committee for Taif University Graduation Ceremony, Saudi Arabia
• Reviewer and Committee Member for (2016 8th IEEE International Conference on Communication Software and Networks), 2016 – 2017
• Reviewer and Committee Member for the 2nd International Conference on Education, Learning and Training, 2016
• Reviewer and Committee Member for The Journal of Natural Language Engineering – NLE-ARTC-14-0058, 2014 – 2015