RIYADH: Saudi border guards arrested 3,322 infiltrators trying to enter the Kingdom in five regions in March, a 114 percent increase from February, local media reported.
The border area in Jazan accounted for 89 percent of infiltration attempts, or 2,954 foreigners, Al-Eqtisadiyah daily reported.
Najran was second with 356 foreigners, followed by the Eastern Province with 10, and Asir and Jouf with one each, the daily said, citing a report.
Border guards also foiled attempts by some infiltrators to plant land mines on the border.
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Border Guard said it is shifting its border services to electronic and smart transactions in line with the highest security and quality standards, and in line with the concept of e-government.
The last quarter of 2017 will see the completion of the directorate’s e-services portal, which will represent the first stage in serving government and private sectors dealing with Saudi ports, providing them with e-services such as port entry permits, boarding passes and ship notifications.
The second stage of the portal will include e-services related to regular visitors by sea for hunting and picnic purposes, the directorate said.
3,322 cross-border infiltrators captured in March
3,322 cross-border infiltrators captured in March
King Salman Arabic academy launches ‘Ahlan Wa Sahlan’ digital learning platform
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched the “Ahlan Wa Sahlan” educational platform, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The digital initiative aims to teach Arabic to both native and non-native speakers through a flexible, interactive learning experience, combining accredited academic content with modern technologies and supporting learners of different levels and goals.
Abdullah Al-Washmi, the academy’s secretary-general, said the platform marks a qualitative step in the digital development of Arabic language education and aligns with the academy’s mission to strengthen Arabic’s presence in modern learning environments.
He added that the project is part of a series of initiatives supported by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and reflects the leadership’s commitment to empowering Arabic locally and globally through trusted digital tools.
Al-Washmi said the platform offers advanced digital solutions for individuals and institutions, with programs designed to meet diverse learning needs and objectives.
It provides integrated language programs across five levels, from beginner to advanced, as well as specialized courses in professional fields such as administration, healthcare and sports.
Learners benefit from flexible self-learning options supported by standardized assessment tools and comprehensive tests, the SPA reported.
“Ahlan Wa Sahlan” features an interactive design with customized content for different learner groups, a multilingual interface supporting five languages and continuous technical support.
Educational institutions are also provided with advanced tools to manage content, organize learners and monitor performance through analytical reports, the SPA added.
The launch is part of the academy’s broader efforts to expand Arabic language education globally through innovative digital solutions, enhancing learning efficiency and strengthening Arabic’s presence in education, culture and digital communication.
The initiative also aligns with the Human Capability Development Program’s goals to build an advanced Arabic digital education ecosystem that combines academic quality with technological innovation.
