RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, an affiliate of the Kingdom’s Embassy in Washington, recently hosted a delegation of more than 100 people from a number of US universities.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Eisa, the cultural attaché in Washington, said that the mission seeks to bolster cooperation with US educational institutions to serve Saudi scholarship students in the US, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Members of the US delegation were taking part in the 15th Annual Washington International Education Conference.
Al-Eisa said the gathering was designed to explore ways to benefit from US universities and solve whatever problems the 65,000 Saudi students in the US may face.
He said the external scholarship program was discussed with the delegation of US universities to explore the importance of such programs in achieving the objectives of the Vision 2030 reform plan.
Nahlah Al-Jubeir, head of the Center for Career Development at the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, said the center has discussed with the US delegation how to cooperate in preparing Saudi students for the labor market.
A number of proposals were provided to the US delegation including preparation of training programs for Saudi students, she said.
Saudi cultural mission in Washington hosts over 100 visitors from US universities
Saudi cultural mission in Washington hosts over 100 visitors from US universities
Alwaleed Philanthropies allocates $15 million for global polio eradication efforts
- The new contribution will support frontline vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance and rapid outbreak response over three years
DAVOS: Alwaleed Philanthropies, chaired by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al-Saud, renewed its commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative on Thursday with a $15 million contribution during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.
The announcement was made by Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al-Saud, secretary general of Alwaleed Philanthropies, and Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation.
The new contribution will support frontline vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance and rapid outbreak response over three years, helping the program reach children in vulnerable and conflict-ravaged areas through the Gates Philanthropy partners.
The donation comes at a pivotal moment for the global effort to end polio, as the program intensifies operations in the last remaining endemic countries and responds to outbreaks worldwide.
With cases of wild poliovirus now confined to just two countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan — sustained political leadership and financing remain essential to protect hard-won gains and ensure that no child is left behind.
The princess said the contribution “builds on Alwaleed Philanthropies’ long-standing support for global health and its partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, reinforcing the critical role of philanthropy in addressing some of the world’s most complex public health challenges.”
Gates said that polio eradication “is within sight, but the last mile is the hardest.” He added: “Alwaleed Philanthropies’ latest commitment is exactly the kind of leadership the world needs to build a future where no family has to live in fear of polio paralyzing their child.”
Mike McGovern, chair of the Polio Oversight Board, said sustained support enables organizations to reach children in vulnerable and remote communities and to preserve the progress made over the past four decades.
Launched in 1988, the GPEI, led by national governments and supported by its core partners, has reduced polio cases by more than 99 percent and protected over 20 million people from paralysis.
The World Health Organization and UNICEF play a leading role, working alongside governments and communities to sustain access, build trust and ensure that polio eradication efforts reach the most vulnerable children.
