Photo Credit: NUS Master of Science Business Analytics Programme.
Saudi Aramco professional and NUS Master of Science in Business Analytics candidate Nourah Algiffari reflects on data-driven transformation, cross-cultural learning, life in Singapore and the opportunities connecting Saudi Arabia with Southeast Asia.
For Nourah Algiffari, studying in Singapore is more than a master’s degree; it is a way of preparing to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s data-driven transformation. With roots in Al Qassim, a life based in the Eastern Province and professional experience at Saudi Aramco, she arrived at NUS with a clear purpose.
“Vision 2030 is pushing Saudi Arabia toward a more data-driven future, and I wanted to be part of building that,” Nourah says. Singapore appealed as a centre for finance, trade and technology, while the NUS Master of Science in Business Analytics offered the mix she wanted: data science, business strategy and digital transformation.
Her academic journey began at King Saud University, where she studied Management Information Systems and developed foundations in technology, business and information systems. NUS challenged her to use those foundations differently.
“Rather than starting with a problem that already had a clear answer, I often had to figure out the problem itself, decide how to approach it, and work with people who brought completely different perspectives,” she explains. Moving from learning fundamentals to tackling ambiguous, realworld questions has been among her most valuable experiences.
That application continued through her internship at Aramco Asia Singapore as a Corporate Treasury Analyst. There, Nourah saw firsthand how analytics and technology could transform financial decision-making. With NUS classmates, she also worked on projects using machine learning to improve customer support and artificial intelligence to make contract review more efficient.
That application continued through her internship at Aramco Asia Singapore as a Corporate Treasury Analyst. There, Nourah saw firsthand how analytics and technology could transform financial decision-making. With NUS classmates, she also worked on projects using machine learning to improve customer support and artificial intelligence to make contract review more efficient.
“The value of analytics lies not only in the technical solution, but in understanding the business context and turning data into something that can support better decisions,” she says. The experience strengthened her interest in careers connecting analytics, technology and finance.
Life beyond campus has been equally rewarding. Having grown up partly in Tokyo, Nourah was accustomed to different cultures. “Singapore felt familiar rather than foreign,” she says. Friendly people, readily available halal food and accessible prayer spaces made settling in easy. She spends her free time running, hiking, visiting parks and going to the gym. Friendships with other Arab students and professionals provide a welcome sense of familiarity, while Singapore’s international community continually broadens her outlook. “What surprised me most is how naturally different cultures and religions come together here,” Nourah says. Yet one absence remains deeply felt: “What I miss most from Saudi is simple: my family. The long gatherings, the unhurried weekends at home and having everyone around the table.”
She sees growing Saudi– Singapore ties creating opportunities for people, companies and ideas in finance, technology and digital innovation. Singapore can connect Saudi businesses with Southeast Asia, while Vision 2030 welcomes Singaporean expertise into the Kingdom.
Nourah also hopes Singaporeans will discover Saudi Arabia beyond familiar impressions. “Saudi hospitality is at the heart of who we are,” she says. “If someone invites you for coffee and dates, they genuinely mean it, and you are likely to leave feeling like part of the family.”
Her journey shows how education can connect two countries—through knowledge, shared ambition and genuine human warmth.
