| The study was designed to assess the perceptions of faculty members, policy-makers, and female students concerning two models of universities for women---an independent university and an open university---and their effects on meeting women's needs for higher education in Saudi Arabia. This was done to develop foundation criteria for selecting the model that can best meet women's needs and address the major limitations in the existing system.; A survey instrument was devised by the researcher to gather data from a sample of 340 participants studying or working in King Saud University, women's colleges, the University of Imam Mohammed Bin Saud, the Ministry of Higher Education, and the General Presidency of Girls' Education in Riyadh. The responses were analyzed using statistical methods and tests such as the Log-Rank Test, the Chi-Square Test, and the Logistic Regression Model.; Most participants identified the women's independent university as the preferred way to meet women's higher education needs and to address most important limitations in the current system. An independent university would best provide women with a supportive environment for learning and acquiring knowledge and skills important to national development. An independent university was also judged to face fewer obstacles to its establishment than the open university. Insufficient experience among women in making major decisions and leading higher education institutions were seen as major obstacles to the establishment of the independent university. However, these problems could be lessened through adequate preparation and training focusing on effective female leadership. |
