Tiffany & Co. on a mission: Educating Saudi women

From right, Dr. Suhair Hassan, Mazin Al-Mualim and Tarek Azmi.

Tiffany & Co. and Dar Al-Hekma University launched the Keys for a Cause initiative aimed at raising funds to empower women with education in Saudi Arabia. The campaign was launched on June 5, 2016 in Jeddah.
The result of this unique partnership — Keys for a Cause initiative — was that Tiffany & Co. handed over the amount raised for Dar Al-Hekma University Scholarship Fund this October to help students in need of financial support to complete their education.
This initiative reflects on the powerful meaning of Tiffany Keys collection expressed by the words “Unlock Your Possibilities,” the partnership between the international jewelry brand and local university underlines the importance of education as the most powerful asset enabling women to unlock their potentials and achieve their goals.
“We are very proud to partner with Dar Al-Hekma University on this program that gives young eager women the gift of education and we thank Dr. Al-Qurashi for her support,” highlighted Renaud Pretet, Vice President of Tiffany & Co., Middle East and Africa. “At Tiffany, we understand the impact education can have on professional and personal advancement. Education has the power to unlock the possibilities and potential of individuals; it can grant every woman a voice and make her a strong contributor to national growth. By adopting education as a focus for our Keys for a Cause initiative, we demonstrate how meaningful this subject is for us on a corporate social responsibility level.”
The collected fund is a generous contribution from the Saudi community who supported this worthy cause. Customers donated SR250 in exchange of a symbolic key at Tiffany & Co. boutiques in Jeddah’s Boulevard Mall and Riyadh’s Kingdom Center. After they received their keys, they attempted to open a lock fixed on a Tiffany Blue Box to unveil an iconic Tiffany gift.
“Education is the pillar on which society’s growth and advancement depend. Tiffany through the Keys for a Cause initiative invested in women’s education in Saudi Arabia and this proves their dedication and conviction in the importance of women’s education. The Saudi government has always invested heavily in education and if the private sector mirrors this positive attitude, Saudi Arabia will be in the fast track to a brighter future,” said Dr. Suhair Hassan Al-Qurashi, president of Dar Al-Hekma University.
The deal was to contribute to the cause by donating SR250 in exchange for a symbolic key or receiving one upon making a purchase of SR2500 and above. Guests found a pedestal in each boutique displaying a Tiffany Blue Box, secured with a white bow and lock in both Jeddah and Riyadh boutiques. After receiving their keys, guests were invited to open the lock and if it unlocks they will be directed to pick up an iconic Tiffany gift.
It is essential that the private sector works hand in hand with the education sector as they will benefit once the students have graduated and are seeking careers and employment. On the other hand, universities benefit from the financial support provided by the private sector and will be able to graduate a greater number of talents willing to serve their country in the best way possible.
“As a non-profit institution, we appreciate immensely the support that ‘Tiffany’s Keys for a Cause’ initiative is giving us. Empowering young women and giving them a chance to obtain a high quality education that has the potential to change their future is something everyone in the Kingdom should care about. The right to have access to local and good education that matches the quality of international standards should not be exclusive; everyone has the right to receive excellent education,” said Dr. Al-Qurashi.