Iffat bint Mohammad Al Thunayan was an education activist and Saudi princess, she is also the wife of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. She is sometimes called Queen Iffat or Princess Iffat. She is known for her efforts in the improvement of Saudi education. She was the founder of Taif model school and the first girl's college in Saudi Arabia. Iffat was a visionary leader who played a key role in the development of Saudi Arabia's education.

She became honorary president of the "Saudi Arabian Renaissance Society" — a woman's society in Riyadh to teach women skills in crafts, and to assist needy families — in the organization's fifth anniversary. Her "Saudi Renaissance Movement" sponsored free clinics and literary classes for women.

During the 1960s, she established the first two social agencies in Saudi Arabia — Women's Welfare Association in Jeddah and Al Nahdah Women's Welfare Association in Riyadh. These programs are still available today.

As the founder of the Women's Charitable Society in Riyadh, Iffat bint Mohammad Al Thunayan provided support to women and children in need and helped to establish the first school for girls in Riyadh. This school later became the Princess Noura bint Abdul Rahman University, the largest women's university in the world. Through her work in education, Iffat bint Mohammad Al Thunayan helped to empower women in Saudi Arabia and give them the tools they needed to succeed in their personal and professional lives.

In 1955, she initiated Saudi Arabia's first private school for women in Jeddah — the Dar Al Hanan (literally "House of Affection"). She also founded the first college for girls in Riyadh, called Kulliyat ul Banat or the Girls’ College, in 1960.

In 1967, she launched the Nahdah Al Saudiyyah, an organization that educated illiterate Riyadh women. In the 1970s, Iffat started the country's first community college for women.

In August 1999, she established Effat University adjacent to Dar Al Hanan just months before her death. Effat University is the kingdom's first private, non-profit women's college.

She frequented many graduation ceremonies. Her motto was “Educate yourself. Be good mothers. Bring up perfect Saudis. Build your country." Her other motto was "The mother can be a school in herself if you prepare her well".

Throughout her life, Iffat bint Mohammad Al Thunayan was a vocal advocate for women's rights in education. Her leadership and vision helped to inspire a new generation of young women in Saudi Arabia to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.

Her legacy continues to inspire people around the world to work towards a more just and equitable society, where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.