RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and other regional countries will showcase their experience in stem-cell transplantation at the fourth Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT) workshop and symposium on Sunday.
The King Faisal Specialist Hospital is organizing the three-day conference in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WTO) and 15 specialized global associations.
Around 100 local and international speakers will take part in the event at the hospital’s headquarters in Riyadh.
The conference aims to share experiences among countries of the Middle East and North Africa that have existing programs in the field of bone-marrow and stem-cell transplantation, to strengthen and develop their potential, participate in research and learn about the latest developments.
Firas Al-Falih, hematology and stem-cell transplantation expert at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, said the conference is taking place in collaboration with the Health Ministry.
He added that the conference will be divided into eight workshops discussing ways to develop bone-marrow and stem-cell transplantation in developing countries, the requirements needed to start such programs, current indicators of stem-cell transplantation for adults and children, choosing stem-cell donors, methods to verify donation safety, training and dissemination of knowledge related to bone-marrow and stem-cell transplantation, training and educating nursing staff, methods of examining tissue, the best source to collect stem cells, and complications of transplantation, including infectious diseases.
Kingdom to share stem-cell transplant experience
Kingdom to share stem-cell transplant experience
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
- A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
