أ. د. نجلاء بنت عبدالرحمن النبهان

Najla Abdulrahman Alnabhan
Senior Advisor |Computer Science Professor | National Research & Innovation Leader

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | nalnabhan@ksu.edu.sa-nnabhan@gadd.gov.sa | [ 0553295559]

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Visionary leader with more than 19 years of leadership experience driving strategic initiatives across defense development, higher education, research, development and innovation (RDI), and national transformation. Recognized as the first woman to serve in Saudi Arabia’s defense development sector, with a distinguished record of establishing national research programs, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and advancing innovation ecosystems aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

Currently serving as Governor Advisor for Research Collaboration and Founding Director of the General Administration for Research Collaboration at the General Authority for Defense Development (GADD), leading strategic collaborations across government, industry, academia, and international partners to accelerate research commercialization, technology transfer, and national capability development.

Combines executive leadership experience with internationally recognized research excellence, including more than 75 ISI-indexed publications, a U.S. patent, competitive national research grants, and strategic partnerships with leading national and international organizations.

CURRENT POSITIONS

Governor Advisor for Research Collaboration
General Authority for Defense Development (GADD) | 2022–Present

Founding Director, General Administration for Research Collaboration
General Authority for Defense Development (GADD) | 2022–Present

Professor of Computer Science
King Saud University | Present

Government Advisory Roles

• Advisor to the Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation, Ministry of Education (2020–2022).
• Advisor to the Vice Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Saud University (2022).
• Advisor to the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Co-Founder of the College of Engineering, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (2017–2018).

BOARD & GOVERNANCE EXPERIENCE

- Vice Chair, Jisr Forum, GADD (2024–Present).
- Board Member, Riyadh Economic Forum, Riyadh Chamber (2023–2025).
- Member of Committees on Investment, Digital Transformation, Education, and Qualifications.
- Steering Committee Member, Engineering College Foundation, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS & NATIONAL IMPACT

Defense Innovation, Research Ecosystems & Strategic Partnerships

• Established and currently lead the General Administration for Research Collaboration at GADD, creating a national platform that connects government, academia, industry, and international partners to advance defense research and innovation.

• Designed and implemented strategic collaboration frameworks supporting national defense and dual-use technology priorities, strengthening alignment between research outcomes and national capability needs.

• Led the development and execution of more than nine flagship initiatives that transformed collaboration across the defense innovation ecosystem, including Technology Push (Industry-to-Academia), Technology and Capability Pull (Academia-to-Industry), Graduate Research Alignment Program, Industrial Sabbatical Program, Industrial Mentorship Program, Scientific Signals Initiative, National and International Research Consortia, and Virtual Research Centers.

• Contributed to advancing research commercialization, technology transfer, and innovation pathways by connecting research capabilities with strategic national and industrial priorities.

• Led and contributed to national research and innovation initiatives supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s RDI ambitions.

• Participated in shaping research collaboration models and innovation frameworks across government, higher education, and industry sectors.

Strategic Partnerships for National Capability Development

National Strategic Partners: Ministry of Defense (MoD); Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources; Ministry of Energy; Ministry of Education; national universities; Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA); King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST); and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI).

International Partners: Lockheed Martin; BAE Systems; Rolls-Royce Holdings; Dassault Systèmes; NCC Group; Cranfield University; Monash University; Defense Capability Institute (DCI); Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST); Korea University; Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement (KRIT); InnoSpace; and Zhejiang Lab, China.

HONORS & DISTINCTIONS

- Governor’s Prizes, GADD Excellance, 2026 (One Main Award and Two Appreciation Awards).

- First Woman to Serve in Saudi Arabia’s Defense Development Sector (2022–Present).

- National Role Model – Women Empowerment Conference (2022).

- Winner, 'A King’s Vision for a Nation’s Future' – A national-level Innovation Competition (2016).

- U.S. Patent – Energy-Efficient Routing Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks (2013).

- Best Paper Awards – Multiple International Conferences.

- Competitive R&D Grand Grant – National Research Priorities, RDO, Ministry of Education (2019).

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Computer Science
King Saud University, 2014.

Visiting PhD Scholar
George Washington University, USA, 2012–2014

M.Sc. in Computer Science
King Saud University, 2008.

B.Sc. in Computer Applications
King Saud University, 2005.

RESEARCH & INNOVATION EXCELLENCE

- 75+ ISI-indexed publications.

- Appointed Visiting Professor – Nanjing Tech University, China, 2019. 

- Fellowships – Colorado State University, Imperial College London, Brunel University London, Nanjing Tech University, GWU.

- Founder and Head, IoT and Drone Research Group, King Saud University.

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

- Blue Ocean Strategy – Belgium (2022).

- Academic Leadership – KAUST & KSU (2022).

- Prosci Change Management, Digital Innovation, DGA (2020-2022).

- Cybersecurity – EC-Council, USA (2019).

- Women Leadership – Springboard, British Council (2018).

- Arab Leadership & Government Excellence – Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (2018).

REVIEWER & EDITORIAL SERVICE

- Reviewer – IEEE, Elsevier, Springer, Wiley.

- Long-term Reviewer – Ad Hoc Networks, Computer Networks, and others.

TECHNICAL & RESEARCH INTERESTS

Artificial Intelligence, Distributed Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Communication Modeling, IoT, UAVs, Wireless & Fog Networks, Smart Cities.