Park Hyatt Jeddah is hosting a Syrian food festival at its award-winning restaurant, Nafoura. Starting Thursday, the event will welcome media representatives and influencers with a series of traditional folk dances at the inauguration.
“The folk performances will enthral guests, captivate ancient Syrian culture and complement the authenticity of Syrian cuisine,” the hotel said.
The festival will be led by Chef Ali Ammouch and his culinary team. Renowned Syrian dishes will be prepared with the finest ingredients. The buffet will feature a variety of tempting homemade dishes, from the most typical mezzes of Damascus to the aromas of Aleppo’s keraz kebab. Live stations will showcase other popular dishes, such as shawarma, fatteh and freshly baked fatayer.
The dessert corner showcasing the famous qatayef and nabulsia will transport guests to the vibrant alleys of the Al-Hamidiyah open market.
The festival runs until March 22 between 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
For reservations, guests can contact +966 122639644 or book online via http://bit.ly/2G1bn5q
Park Hyatt Jeddah is located on the Jeddah corniche.
Park Hyatt Jeddah hosting Syrian food festival
Park Hyatt Jeddah hosting Syrian food festival
Marriott graduates sixth batch of ‘Tahseen’ hospitality trainees
Marriott International has announced the successful graduation of its “Tahseen” leadership program’s 2023 class, welcoming 38 new candidates to embark on its latest chapter. The graduation ceremony, held on Feb. 21, marked a significant milestone in Marriott’s commitment to nurturing local talent in Saudi Arabia and advancing the country’s hospitality industry.
“The Tahseen program, now in its sixth iteration, underscores Marriott International’s dedication to developing the next generation of hospitality leaders in Saudi Arabia,” a statement said.
Developed in partnership with Cornell University, the 12-month program offers a unique and highly individualized curriculum focused on practical application across all departments with an in-depth understanding of leadership skills.
This year’s Tahseen program continues its tradition of empowering aspiring leaders with operational experience and theoretical training. It welcomes a diverse group of new participants, equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to accelerate their careers in the hospitality industry.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the graduation of our 2023 Tahseen class and welcome all new candidates to the program,” said Sandeep Walia, chief operations officer, Middle East at Marriott International. “The Tahseen program embodies our commitment to fostering local talent and supporting Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy and Vision 2030 reforms.”
The graduation ceremony honored 38 graduates, with nearly half of them being women. These graduates have stepped into leadership roles within their respective hotels and departments, further exemplifying the program’s impact on career advancement and gender diversity.
Since its inception in 2017, the Tahseen program has seen more than 200 candidates graduate and transition into roles within Marriott International’s properties in Saudi Arabia. More than 70 percent of the graduates remain employed at Marriott International hotels, showcasing the program’s effectiveness in developing and retaining talent crucial for the growth of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector. Moreover, women represent more than 40 percent of Tahseen graduates and current participants.
Reflecting on her journey, Basmah Suhail, who is now director of rooms at Marriott Hotel Diplomatic Quarter, said: “Tahseen has opened doors for me and provided me with countless opportunities so far. Since graduating from the first batch of Tahseen, I have developed my career, leading to my current position as director of rooms. Tahseen has provided me with a fantastic network of leaders inside the company, opened my eyes to what is really important and equipped me with the right leadership skills to inspire my teams and nurture the growth of emerging leaders.”
Amjaad Alhasani, training manager at Marriott Jeddah Madinah Road, expressed excitement about joining this year’s program, saying: “I will carry the lessons learned and the connections made during the Tahseen program as we embark on the next chapter of our careers. Our journey continues, and I am confident that we will continue to excel and make a positive impact on our organization. I am thankful to our leaders for the support and trust given during the program and beyond.”
The Tahseen program falls under Marriott International’s sustainability and social impact platform, Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, which guides how the company makes a positive and sustainable impact wherever it does business.
The platform is designed to foster business growth while balancing the needs of associates, customers, owners, the environment and communities. One of the priority areas of Serve 360 is “Empower Through Opportunity.” Tahseen is a program that directly supports and brings this vision to life.
Takreem America honors top Arab American achievers
Takreem America honored exceptional Arab American individuals at its annual awards night recently at The Westin Copley Place, in Boston, Massachusetts. The weekend also featured the TAKminds Forum, held at MIT, which brought together 16 distinguished speakers and moderators from various fields.
The nonprofit organization, founded in 2019 to honor Arab Americans and help them build bonds with their motherland, presented awards to outstanding individuals, including: Dr. Magid Abraham (Corporate Leadership Award); Najla Said (Cultural Excellence Award); Dr. Gary Nabhan (Environmental Development and Sustainability); Dr. Elias Zerhouni (Scientific and Technological Achievement); and Ahmed Badr (Young Entrepreneur Award).
In addition, Dr. Dimitri Azar and Professor Rima Kaddurah-Daouk were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards while the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation was given a “Special Distinction.”
The awards night, hosted by Ghida Fakhry, was a platform to celebrate the remarkable contributions of these individuals. Ricardo Karam, founder and chair of the board, emphasized the significance of the awardees’ actions in inspiring compassion and unity, echoing the spirit of Khalil Gibran’s legacy.
At the TAKminds Forum, participants included prominent figures from the arts, such as Arab American artist Helen Zughaib, art specialist business getter Suzy Sikorski, and art adviser Yasmina Moukarzel. Influential entrepreneurs like Fadel Adib, Edouard Massih, and Sami Shalabi also shared their insights, alongside dynamic change-makers Paul Ayoub and Nicola Yammine. Additionally, AI enthusiasts including Richard Rabbat, founder and CEO of Lighty AI; Raja-Elie Abdulnour, editor at Clinical Development and AI Innovation and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School; Jean-Claude Saghbini, president at Lumeris Value-Based Care Enablement; and Nadine Chakar, managing director and global head at DTCC Digital Assets, discussed their experiences. The discussions provided enlightening perspectives on the contributions of Arab American minds within their society and beyond, exploring ways to create a lasting impact and legacy.
With more than 500 attendees, Takreem America’s annual weekend celebrations showcased the unity and positive influence of Arab Americans in the Americas.
In a statement, the organization expressed gratitude to its numerous patrons and sponsors for their invaluable support, including Triple V Management LLC, Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, Fort Partners, PARQ, and JESRA Foundation.
Global leaders discuss transformational impact of philanthropy for development at IsDB event
The Islamic Development Bank hosted a special philanthropy forum at their annual meeting in Riyadh, in collaboration with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, titled “Harnessing Philanthropy for Development: The Road Less Traveled.” The high-profile event brought together global philanthropic and business leaders to explore the untapped potential of philanthropic capital in accelerating development and humanitarian efforts.
The forum featured prominent figures in the philanthropy, development and humanitarian aid fields, including Dr. Muhammad Al-Jasser, president of the Islamic Development Bank; Dr. Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center; Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah, CEO of the King Khalid Foundation; Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and special envoy for business and philanthropy; Sulaiman Abdulaziz Azzabin, CEO of King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation; Stanlake Samkange, executive director of the World Food Program; Danah Dajani, senior vice president at Abdulla Al-Ghurair Foundation; and Naila Farouky, CEO of the Arab Foundations Forum.
The forum began with a plenary conversation between Gates and Jafar, shedding light on Gate’s philanthropic journey and unwavering commitment to global health. The discussion also highlighted the evolving landscape of giving in the MENA region, the potential for greater collaboration between philanthropy and development banks, as well as new challenges and opportunities such as climate change and the advent of artificial intelligence.
Highlighting a transformative visit to Africa in 1993, Gates described how it exposed him to the devastating realities of extreme poverty and the high rates of preventable diseases, a major contributor to child mortality. Gates shared that in 2000, when the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was launched, a staggering 10 million children worldwide died before the age of five. Through their focused efforts on malaria, polio, and nutrition, the foundation has demonstrably halved that number and aims to reduce childhood mortality by a further 50 percent in the coming decades.
“I’m optimistic and see possibilities. We are making progress, the human condition today is better than ever before, life expectancy is longer, more children survive past the age of five and the opportunities to take innovation, which is accelerating, and apply it to reduce inequality, has never been so great. I believe it’s not just an emotional state, but it’s factual. We can drive progress and we have made progress,” Gates said.
Climate change took center stage as the conversation continued. Jafar, having chaired the inaugural COP28 Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum, emphasized the importance of increased cross-sectoral collaboration for climate and nature action, commenting: “We’re four months since COP 28 UAE and the historic UAE Consensus. The ‘whole of society’ approach that was the vision of Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber, saw the most inclusive climate gathering ever, bringing together geographically diverse and sectorally diverse stakeholders. The groundbreaking results reinforced the fact that we absolutely need the authentic engagement of business and philanthropy in the climate action agenda if we are to move from pledges and announcements to action and implementation.”
Gates responded: “I think that the COP meeting significantly exceeded my expectations. Not only was it hosted very well, but also the spirit that the businesses coming into it showed, as well as the philanthropists, was very impressive to me. What we saw was a mixing of small innovative companies who have new climate ideas … able to meet with the big companies.”
Building on the borderless impact of philanthropy, the conversation shifted to the evolving landscape and trends of giving in the Middle East and Africa. Jafar said: “Philanthropy is a $2 trillion per year sector, and I believe that in the Gulf region we’re on the cusp of a transformation of philanthropic practice to more strategic giving that is impact driven and is evidence based. This is due to a number of factors, not least the confluence of technology with the more hands-on expectations by the next generation and more focus on transparency and accountability.”
The discussion also touched on how innovative partnerships between philanthropic organizations and multi-development banks can amplify the focus and impact of these efforts. Reflecting on the power of collaboration, Gates emphasized the importance of renewing his foundation’s long-standing partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, along with other philanthropic actors across the region.
Making the announcement for the Live and Livelihoods Fund, Gates said: “All of our greatest successes have come through partnerships. We have a number of things where we fund research and development, like for breakthrough vaccines, where we’re able to operate on our own because we have such deep expertise and the cost to do that. But that’s more of an exception […] and that’s why this week is a huge milestone.”
Addressing future philanthropy trends, Gates, who pioneered various technological advancements, said that by strategically allocating resources toward the development of technologies like AI and blockchain for social good, philanthropists can unlock a new wave of impactful giving.
“I cannot overstate the impact that AI is going to have on every field of human endeavor. Whether it’s discovering new drugs for health care intervention, delivering medical advice or giving every kid a personal tutor that talks to them in their language, and not only understands the subject area, but also understands their motivation and how to keep them engaged,” Gates said.
The philanthropy forum served as a platform for fostering collaboration and innovation in development philanthropy, generating valuable insights and recommendations for strengthening the role of philanthropy in achieving sustainable development goals.
Alwaleed Philanthropies partners with Jahjaga Foundation to bring cutting-edge medical equipment to Kosovo
Alwaleed Philanthropies Global, chaired by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al-Saud, has collaborated with the Jahjaga Foundation to equip Kosovo’s Nuclear Medicine Clinic with a cutting-edge SPECT/CT/PET medical device. Princess Lamia bint Majed Al-Saud, secretary-general of Alwaleed Philanthropies, met with President of Kosovo Dr. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, in Pristina, Kosovo to support healthcare advancements in the region.
The combined efforts of Alwaleed Philanthropies, Jahjaga Foundation, as well as the Kosovo President, and Kosovo Minister of Health Arben Vitia have brought this state-of-the-art technology to the clinic, significantly improving patient care and reinforcing Kosovo’s commitment to enhancing its healthcare infrastructure.
Princess Lamia also participated in the official handover ceremony for the SPECT/CT/PET medical device, held under the patronage of President Sadriu. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, reflecting the importance of the partnership between Alwaleed Philanthropies and Kosovo in promoting improved healthcare services for the local community.
The government of Kosovo honored Prince Alwaleed with a prestigious acknowledgment in appreciation of his invaluable support to the Nuclear Medicine Clinic at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. Prince Alwaleed, chairman and head of the board of trustees of Alwaleed Philanthropies, was presented with the esteemed “Presidential Medal of Merit” by President Sadriu on Feb. 20. This medal was given during a personal visit to the Kingdom Tower by Lulzim Mjeku, ambassador of Kosovo to Saudi Arabia, alongside Rejhan Vuniqi, political adviser to the president, representing the office of the President of Kosovo.
The agreement between Alwaleed Philanthropies and Jahjaga Foundation supports the well-being of cancer patients in Kosovo, increasing their life expectancy and quality of life by providing a SPECT/ PET/ CT to the Nuclear Medicine Clinic at the UCCK. This equipment spares patients from the risks, expenses, and challenges of traveling abroad for such examinations.
The SPECT/ PET/ CT equipment will fulfill Kosovo’s healthcare needs, provided at no cost to patients within the public sector, ensuring access to life-saving treatment. Moreover, UCCK’s proficiency in utilizing the equipment will be strengthened through tailored training programs aimed at optimizing its operation. This training initiative ensures that staff members are fully equipped to efficiently operate and maintain the equipment, thus enhancing the quality of patient care. This project aligns with Alwaleed Philanthropies’ commitment to supporting healthcare initiatives and improving the lives of individuals in need around the world.
SAB first bank in Kingdom to win Global Innovation Institute honor
Saudi Awwal Bank has won the innovation accreditation from the US-based Global Innovation Institute. This achievement makes it the first bank in the Kingdom to receive this certification, affirming its leading position in innovation in the region.
The certification is a culmination of SAB’s efforts in adopting innovation and integrating it across all sectors, including various initiatives such as workshops, training camps, and hackathons. These efforts have resulted in raising the innovation culture among its employees to 90 percent.
Saeed Assiri, chief innovation officer at SAB, said: “This achievement reflects our steadfast commitment to innovation as an integral part of our strategy and is a recognition of the quality and effectiveness of the practices we follow in promoting the culture of innovation within the bank.”
He added: “We reaffirm our commitment to continuing our path toward innovation and excellence as we recognize its importance in achieving growth and development. We work to embed it in all aspects of our business and look forward to providing financial solutions that meet our customers’ needs in new and innovative ways.”
This recognition comes at a time when the Kingdom is focusing on innovation as a fundamental element in its Saudi Vision 2030, making SAB a role model in enabling and empowering innovation in line with the best global practices. This in turn contributes to accelerating the Kingdom’s position as a center for innovation and creativity in the region.
The bank’s progress in driving innovation is a starting point to stimulate the financial sector in the Kingdom to adopt similar strategies. Innovation efforts at the bank go beyond developing products and services and include improving internal processes and building a work environment that is conducive to creativity. The approach is a step toward achieving higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness and represents a model to be emulated in the Saudi business sector.
The Global Innovation Institute is a world leader in providing certifications and accreditations in the field of innovation. The institute relies on precise methodologies in assessment and well-thought-out criteria to measure the maturity of innovation in organizations.
This certification is a significant milestone for SAB, as it represents a pivotal step toward the bank’s vision of pioneering innovation and shaping the future of finance in the Kingdom — solidifying its position as a forward-thinking institution.
