Dr. Alwan was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission in November 2024, having previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission from 2020 to 2024. He holds a PhD in International Business 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 acting president, Dr. Alwan will lead the university through its next phase and oversee its academic and operational readiness, strengthening its role in advancing specialized higher education in the arts, culture and creative industries in Saudi Arabia. He will also oversee the launch of academic programs and the development of educational and industry partnerships, helping to prepare qualified Saudi professionals across a range of artistic disciplines.Riyadh University of Arts will welcome its first cohort of students to a range of specialized academic programs in theater and performing arts, music, film, and cultural management. Its educational model combines academic study with hands-on experience and aims to develop Saudi talent and produce graduates who will help support the Kingdom’s growing cultural and creative sector.The university is one of the Ministry of Culture’s initiatives to strengthen specialized higher education in the arts and culture and expand opportunities for academic study in creative fields, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to develop national talent and reinforce the role of culture and the arts as key drivers of national development.