Google commemorates 70th birthday of famous Saudi female singer

Updated 01 January 2018
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Google commemorates 70th birthday of famous Saudi female singer

JEDDAH: Google Doodle paid homage to iconic Saudi singer Etab on December 30 with a colorful illustration to commemorate her 70th birthday.

Etab was a Saudi Arabian musical pioneer, one of the very first female Saudi singers to perform publicly. Her talent was discovered when she was 13 years old while singing at weddings.

Etab mixed traditional and contemporary Arab songs to create a style of her own, collaborating with top poets and singers from around the region; she produced 29 famous songs, 5 singles and 20 albums. She was nicknamed “Brunette of the Arabian Song.”

She was a prominent member of the Union of Arab Artists and the Egyptian Music Syndicate.
Google’s Doodle celebrates the cultural legacy of Etab, who would’ve been 70 years old today.


Over the years, Google has also paid homage in celebrating the birthdates of many other iconic Arab celebrities such as Nizar Qabbani, Abdel Halim Hafez, Asmahan, Faten Hamama, Youssef Chahine, Umm Kalthoum, Farid Shawki, Warda Al-Jazairia, Ismail Yasin, Khalil Gibran and many others.

Etab died on August 19, 2007 in Cairo at the age of 59, after a long battle with cancer.


Saudi Arabia advances education investment through new partnerships

Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia advances education investment through new partnerships

  • Riyadh forum sees 12 agreements signed to enhance infrastructure, innovation, capacity building, and public-private collaboration

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan inaugurated the second Education and Training Investment Forum in Riyadh.

The two-day event, which concluded on Monday, was attended by leaders, decision-makers, investors, and experts.

The forum focused on transforming the education sector into a key economic driver, aligned with the Human Capability Development Program and Saudi Vision 2030.

In his speech, Al-Benyan highlighted the support of the Kingdom’s leadership, enabling the ministry to foster partnerships with the private and nonprofit sectors.

This includes launching an investor guide to facilitate foreign investment in education through legislative frameworks ensuring secure returns.

During the forum, 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between the education ecosystem and various entities, focusing on education investment, training development, capacity building, and innovation.

These agreements aim to strengthen strategic partnerships and improve educational outcomes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The minister also honored outstanding students who excelled in international competitions, including the 2025 WorldSkills Asia and the Seoul International Invention Fair, recognizing their contributions to excellence and innovation.

The forum featured over 1,500 participants, including government leaders, educational institutions, and investors, and included panel discussions, keynote speeches, and workshops on investment strategies in education and successful public-private partnerships.

On the sidelines of the forum, New Murabba, a Public Investment Fund company, signed a memorandum of understanding with Tatweer Buildings Co., a subsidiary of Tatweer Education Holding Co.

The MoU establishes an exploratory collaboration to strengthen educational infrastructure and support community development in downtown Riyadh, the SPA added.

Under the agreement, New Murabba and Tatweer Buildings Co. will share expertise, form strategic partnerships, and co-develop programs to enhance the design, development, and operation of educational and community-focused projects.

The MoU also emphasizes incorporating global best practices in the design and operation of educational spaces, the SPA reported.

Both parties are committed to promoting sustainability by exploring eco-friendly solutions for future facilities and projects.

The collaboration will also provide consultancy and thought leadership to improve the quality and impact of educational initiatives.

The agreement includes exploring economic feasibility studies, supporting innovative public-private partnerships, and driving long-term, high-impact investments in the sector.

Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba, said: “This partnership with Tatweer Buildings Co. reflects our shared vision for shaping world-class educational and community spaces. Together, we aim to deliver projects that are purpose-driven, sustainable, and aligned with Saudi Arabia’s future ambitions.”