PhD Degree Awarded to Ms. Nawal Abdulrahman Hamza in International Development

Ms. Nawal Abdulrahman Hamza was awarded a PhD degree in international development for her dissertation titled, “The Impact of International Organizations’ Support on Enhancing Developmental Skills for People with Special Needs and Its Implications for Development in Yemen,” which was submitted to Inclusive Development Research Center, Sana’a University. The PhD dissertation defense was held on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

The PhD Viva-Voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following members:

1 Prof. Abdulsalam Ahmed Al-Dar, External Examiner, Taiz University, Chair.
2 Prof. Saleh Mohammed Humaid, Main Supervisor, Sana’a University, Member.
3 Assoc. Prof. Elham Mohammed Al-Reda, Internal Examiner, Sana’a University, Member.

The study aimed to measure how support from international organizations influences the skill sets of people with special needs and how these improvements translate into broader national development, specifically within the Capital Secretariat (Sana’a).

The study highlights significant structural challenges in the current aid landscape. The findings indicate that support for the developmental skills of people with special needs in Yemen remains structurally weak, marked by a substantial gap between available resources and growing demands.

The study reveals that international aid is often relief-oriented rather than development-oriented, which limits its long-term impact on social and economic empowerment. Statistical analysis also showed slight variations in support levels based on gender, age, educational attainment, and type of disability.

The study concluded with a number of recommendations, including:

• Moving beyond centralized channels to establish a direct presence in rural and provincial areas to improve service delivery.
• Since international support showed a strong statistical impact on development, the study emphasizes directing funds toward strengthening local and governmental institutions to ensure service sustainability after international projects end.

The PhD dissertation was examined and recommended by the Viva-Voce Committee for acceptance and approval. The PhD defense was attended by a number of academics, researchers, interested students, the candidate’s colleagues, and family members.