Dr. Saleh Alshaya, Founder and CEO, Adlas Education
Change rarely arrives with fanfare; it moves quietly, unsettling the familiar and daring the bold to respond. Some view disruption as a threat; others see it as a blank page waiting to be reinvented. The distinction lies in vision, the courage to rebuild what others merely repair and to transform tradition into the blueprint of tomorrow. It is within this restless pursuit of reinvention that education finds its most compelling storytellers. Among them stands Dr. Saleh Alshaya, the visionary founder of Adlas Education Company, whose journey since 2010 has redefined the intersection of learning, leadership, and publishing.
In an era defined by innovation and transformation, Adlas Group stands as a beacon of visionary leadership and educational excellence. Led by a pioneering Saudi entrepreneur, Adlas is reshaping the future of learning through globally aligned solutions that reflect the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030. With a deep understanding of the evolving needs of schools, universities, and corporations, Adlas delivers cutting-edge products that empower institutions to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
What began in Riyadh as a traditional publishing and distribution house soon evolved into something far more ambitious, a bold transformation toward digital learning ecosystems. Under Alshaya’s guidance, Adlas became one of the Gulf region’s foremost providers of digital books and e-tests, a success rooted not in chance but in a meticulously crafted strategy built on innovation and enduring partnerships.
For Dr. Alshaya, the defining moments of his journey were turning points, shifts that redefined his philosophy of transformational leadership. His vision was to create business models that didn’t just respond to the market but reshaped it, introducing unconventional solutions and adaptive systems that bridged technology with pedagogy. Grounded in openness to technology as a transformative force, Adlas is steering education away from passive knowledge transfer toward self-directed and collaborative learning, fostering a new culture of innovation. Through clarity of purpose, empowered teams, and relentless commitment, Dr. Alshaya continues to lead Adlas in redefining what leadership in digital education truly means.
Vision 2030 in Motion
In a nation where Vision 2030 serves as a blueprint for progress, Adlas Education Company discovered its purpose in turning ambition into action. For Dr. Alshaya, aligning with this vision was never mere compliance; it was a call to redefine education as the cornerstone of a knowledge-based economy. The journey was not without turning points; to truly synchronize with Vision 2030’s goals, Adlas had to craft a strategy that anticipated change rather than simply reacting to it.
Adlas led the future through renewed innovation, adopting artificial intelligence and adaptive learning to digitize curricula, enhance interactivity, and design new assessment tools. Strategic partnerships with international publishing houses ensured that global excellence aligned seamlessly with Saudi culture and national educational plans. “Education transforms society only when vision, technology, and culture move together,” Dr. Alshaya reflects.
Beyond technology, Adlas integrated educational content with quality training, leveraging global expertise to upskill educators and strengthen institutional capabilities. This holistic approach enhanced infrastructure and technology, creating lasting value. Today, Adlas’s evolution stands as proof that when innovation and vision move in unison, education doesn’t just evolve, it leads.
Taking Calculated Risks
Innovation often walks hand in hand with risk, and transformation demands daring moves. Dr. Alshaya has embraced this reality throughout Adlas’s journey, turning uncertainty into opportunity. Some of the boldest steps involved forging alliances with global publishing houses, consultancies, technology firms, and leading universities, ventures that required meticulous planning, resilience, and forward-thinking leadership. Through determination and a bit of faith, his risks evolved into strategic partnerships that positioned Adlas as a regional leader.
Equally ambitious was the creation of sustainable educational business models that balanced impact with profitability. One standout success is the English Language Program Package, a holistic framework that evaluates institutional needs, curates content, trains teachers, implements programs, and measures outcomes, seamlessly integrating digital and printed solutions. Reflecting on these journeys, Dr. Alshaya observes, “True progress lies not in avoiding risk, but in designing it thoughtfully and seeing it through with courage and clarity.”
The Adlas Galaxy
At Adlas, innovation thrives within a framework of shared vision and strategic purpose, yet each branch pulses with its own distinct energy. Dr. Alshaya likens the group to a galaxy: each company a star, shining with its unique light while revolving within a single orbit. This model allows Adlas Publishing and Distribution, Adlas Academy, and other branches to pursue specialized educational missions, serving universities, schools, and technical institutions, while contributing to overarching goals of sustainability, international expansion, technical leadership, and quality training.
Achieving unity without stifling individuality is a delicate balance. Through continuous internal communication, coordination, and fostering a sense of belonging, each branch can innovate freely yet remain anchored to the company’s collective purpose. Beyond products and services, Adlas aspires to leave a lasting imprint: making education more accessible through artificial intelligence and modern learning technologies, embedding a culture of change, and redefining institutions as platforms for empowerment rather than adherence to tradition.
Anchored in this vision, Dr. Alshaya notes, “True leadership isn’t about uniformity, it’s about harmonizing uniqueness toward a shared horizon.” In doing so, Adlas continues to craft a future where adaptability, collaboration, and innovation illuminate the educational landscape.
The Next Generation of Educational Entrepreneurs
As Saudi Arabia advances toward a knowledge-based economy, Dr. Alshaya views the emergence of a new generation of educational entrepreneurs as a defining force in shaping the nation’s future. To him, leadership in this era means blending transformative vision with technological fluency, imagining education not as a static system, but as a living ecosystem driven by AI, adaptive learning, and digital innovation that anticipates the needs of tomorrow’s learners. Yet, he believes true success extends beyond innovation; it demands ethical clarity, cultural agility, and a learner-first mindset, where every decision, from content design to evaluation, serves both sustainability and societal growth.
Dr. Alshaya sees empowering youth through entrepreneurial curricula and private-sector collaboration as the cornerstone of building sustainable, globally resonant institutions. “True leadership in education is not just about scaling institutions, it’s about cultivating minds that can scale the world,” he shares. For him, the future belongs to leaders who can unite vision, innovation, and humanity, creating a legacy that transforms classrooms into catalysts for global progress.
A Note to the Adlas Family
For Dr. Alshaya, the journey of Adlas Group has never been a simple transition from one stage to another; it has been a profound transformation of vision, identity, and ambition. What began as a collection of specialized entities has evolved into a single, integrated ecosystem united by one enduring mission: to redefine education and empower humanity.
“To every employee at Adlas,” he expresses, “you are the heartbeat of this transformation. Your creativity, patience, and courage have built an organization that doesn’t fear change; it reshapes it.” To Adlas’ partners, he extends gratitude for being the mirror that reflects the company’s true impact, fueling its journey toward innovation and sustainability through trust and collaboration. He honors teachers and faculty members, the architects of learning, for their pivotal role in developing digital content, AI-powered assessment tools, and vocational training aligned with global standards. And to the students, the dream and purpose of it all, he promises an education that unlocks potential and widens horizons.
As the demand for future-ready education intensifies, Adlas Group continues to lead with purpose, agility, and impact. More than a company, Adlas is a movement—driven by innovation, guided by national vision, and committed to shaping minds for tomorrow. With every product and partnership, Adlas reaffirms its role as a trusted catalyst for progress. The future is unfolding—join Adlas in building it.
As Dr. Alshaya beautifully puts it, “We are not just managing transformation, we are writing a Saudi story that begins here and inspires the world.” And as this chapter closes, one truth stands clear: Adlas’s story is beyond education; it’s about shaping a legacy that will continue to enlighten generations to come.