Effat University Repository

Effat University Institutional Repository

Welcome to the Effat University Repository, a service of Effat Library and Cultural Museum. This repository provides global and open access to scholarship and research output created by Effat University faculty, graduate and undergraduate students.
While the University Repository is accessible to the public, submission is limited to  Effat University community.
 

If you have any questions, please email us at repository@effatuniversity.edu.sa

Recent Submissions

  • ItemOpen Access
    Barriers to Youth Engagement in Museums: A Study of Visitation, Participation and Interaction
    (Effat University) Baeshen, Basmah; T16104241; Rangel, Gizeh; Library
    Engaging youth is pivotal to museums’ sustainability and social mission. However, persistent gaps remain between museum offerings and youth interests and leisure practices. This mixed method study investigates youth engagement barriers in Jeddah via an in depth case study of The House of Islamic Arts Museum. Data were collected from two parallel surveys, one onsite instrument by 261 visitors during their visit, and one offsite instrument distributed across community centres, shopping malls and youth clubs with six observational sessions inside galleries and nine semi structured interviews with museum staff. Descriptive statistics reveal high satisfaction among onsite youth (85%) rating the experience “Excellent”, strong revisit intentions (72% yes), showing clear preferences for history and interactive elements. Offsite respondents report lower visit frequency (70% rarely/never), identifying lack of interest, limited awareness and insufficient publicity as key barriers. Observations recorded brief dwell times at some exhibits with sustained attention and discussions at others, actively sharing and occasional technological use (QR codes and VR). Interviews emphasise marketing reach, guided interpretation, programme design and pricing as improvement areas, highlighting evolving practice aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The study argues that engaging youth in Jeddah is limited more by awareness, access, interpretive mediation, and programme relevance than culture. It recommends youth centred engagement strategies blending community partnerships, tiered pricing and passes, co-curated interactive programmes, multilingualism and sustainable influencer digital outreach. The study contributes a scholarly based portrait of youth museum relations, proposing practical frameworks for Islamic Art museums operating in transformative cultural ecologies.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Enhancing Object Labeling in Saudi Museums: A Best Practice Handbook with a Focus on the National Museum of Saudi Arabia (NMSA)
    Faraj, Nouf; @00035232; Rangel-de Lazaro, Gizeh; Library; NA
    This study examines the use of object labels at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia (NMSA) and identifies several issues, including unclear translations, inconsistent bilingual formats, limited accessibility, and the absence of digital tools. This study utilizes expert interviews, visitor surveys, and comparative analysis with other museums, such as the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, to investigate enhancements in labeling practices. The findings demonstrate that numerous labels do not adequately address visitor requirements, especially for individuals who need clear language or supplementary assistance to obtain information. Based on these findings, the study recommends developing a best practice handbook for museums in Saudi Arabia. The handbook can provide guidance on label writing, design, placement, and accessibility, utilizing theories such as the Contextual Model of Learning, Constructivist Learning Theory, and Universal Design (UD). The objective is to help Saudi museums create clearer and more inclusive labels that improve visitor understanding and engagement. The research also suggests that the NMSA could be used as a pilot site to test and refine the handbook, and future studies could explore how these ideas work in other types of museums and cultural settings.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Politics in Translation: Overcoming Ideological Barriers in Richard Overy's "Why War"?
    Al-Anmari, Ibtisam; S19105732; Al-Deeb, Najlaa; English & Translation
    This research explores the challenges faced in translating Richard Overy's political- historical book "Why War?" with the focus on the chapter titled "Security" the aim of the study is to understand how politically sensitive and ideologically rich texts can be accurately translated from English to Arabic while preserving their original meaning and power. The main objective is to identify suitable translation strategy that reflects both the cultural and political context of the source and the target languages. After reviewer reviewing multiple translation theories, Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) was selected as the most effective framework. CDA which is developed by Fairclough, Wodak, and Van Dijk emphasizes how language reflects power and ideology, making it well-suited for political translation. One significant finding of this study is that terms such as "Security" and "Empire" carry ideological significance and must be handled carefully to avoid misinterpretation. CDA allows the translator to uncover and preserve these meanings while making the text accessible and relevant to Arabic speaking readers. Keywords: Political Translation, Critical Discourse Analysis, Richard Overy.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    White Plastic Chairs: The Significance of Symbolism in Cinema and its Impact on Audiences
    (Effat University) Arab, Daleen; S22107602; El Hachadi, Mahassine; Cinematic Arts
    Abstract This research explores the role of symbolic elements in cinema and their significance in enhancing audience engagement with film’s messages. By analyzing seven films across various genres—including The Seventh Seal, Eraserhead, and Inception—this study investigates how symbolism enriches storytelling and fosters deeper engagement with audiences. The analysis highlights that symbols serve as vehicles for personal interpretation, shaped by viewers' cultural contexts and individual experiences. Additionally, a survey conducted among Arab audiences reveals a strong desire for films that encourage critical thinking and nuanced interpretations. Results indicate that viewers appreciate films that balance symbolic depth with accessibility and straightforwardness. The findings also underscore the importance of filmmakers’ understanding audience preferences while developing cinematic works that invite intellectual engagement while providing entertainment. This paper advocates for the integration of symbolic storytelling as a vital element of filmmaking, and that such techniques can bridge cultural gaps and enhance the dialogue between creators and viewers. By embracing symbolism, filmmakers contribute to a broader conversation about identity, experience, and the human condition, ultimately enriching the cinematic experience. Future research may further investigate how cultural backgrounds influence the interpretation of symbols, offering insights into how global narratives can be tailored to resonate with local audiences. Through this exploration, the study emphasizes the enduring power of symbolism in cinema as a means of elevating narratives and cultivating a thoughtful audience in an increasingly complex world. Keywords symbolism, storytelling, narrative technique, cinema, film, audience engagement
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Chroni: fun And interactive tool for Teaching kids time and routine
    (Effat University) Alfatyani, Mona; S2110718; Khalifa, Sajid; Design
    Parents and teachers are well aware that young children often struggle to understand andinterpret traditional clocks, making it difficult for them to manage their daily schedules. This lackof time management skills can affect the development of important habits related to sleeping,studying, eating, and playing. Without the ability to manage their time independently, childrenmust rely on caregivers or parents to organize their routines, which hinders the development ofresponsibility. To address these challenges, we propose Chroni: a fun and interactive tool designed to teachchildren under the age of six about time management. Unlike traditional clocks with numeralsand hands, Chroni uses symbols and color-coded segments to represent daily activities, makingit easier for children to understand what they should be doing at different times of the day.These engaging visual indicators provide a child-friendly approach, allowing kids to follow theirroutines without needing to read a conventional timepiece, fostering independence, andhelping them learn time management in a playful, accessible way. The design of Chroni is intentionally simple, playful, and intuitive, featuring bright colors andfriendly icons that naturally attract young children. Its day-and-night routine board displays dailytasks with glowing indicators to guide children through their activities. By turning routines into a fun, hands-on experience, Chroni helps children develop a sense oftime, build independence, and gain confidence while establishing healthy daily habits in anengaging, screen-free way.
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