RIYADH: A group of Saudi male and female youths will be sent to the United States for training in transport engineering under an agreement between the Misk Foundation and US-based Virgin Hyperloop One.
The agreement was inked during the Misk Global Forum in Riyadh in November last year and signed by Bader Al-Asaker, secretary general of the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Philanthropic Foundation, known as Misk Foundation, and Founder of Virgin Hyperloop One Josh Giegel on the sidelines of the MGF.
The training program is designed to provide students with a unique opportunity to work closely with the world’s leading engineers working on the development of the Hyperloop operating systems, a new and safe means of transportation.
Chief Marketing Officer of Misk Foundation, Mohammed M. Abuazzah, told Arab News on Wednesday that his organization has already called for applicants from male and female Saudi youths who are graduates/undergraduates involved in transport engineering fields of study.
He said the number of people selected for the program will be determined on applications received for the training. However, he assured that there will be a mix of male and female youths in the group, which will be selected for training at the headquarters of the of Virgin Hyperloop One in Los Angeles from June 25 to Aug. 31.
“We do not promise any employment for the successful trainees. However, their expertise could be well harnessed in the Kingdom by the transport and aviation sectors,” he said.
Students will also enjoy the weekly events organized by the management team, which provide a unique opportunity to participate in shaping the future of transport and communications around the world and gain experience and knowledge in the world’s leading engineering companies.
The agreement is intended to seed long-lasting economic, social, and innovation benefits for the Kingdom by developing a highly skilled, knowledge-based, cutting-edge workforce in an innovative area of growth. This is central to Misk’s mission to empower Saudi youth to become active participants in the knowledge economy.
US training offered to male and female Saudi youths in transport engineering
US training offered to male and female Saudi youths in transport engineering
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.
