JEDDAH: Entertainment not only means giving pleasure and delight; it is a big business that, besides boosting the national economy, can create many job opportunities for talented people.
After Ohoud Mohammed, a young Saudi woman obtained a bachelor‘s degree from a local college some three years back, she tried to find a job to earn a living, but all her attempts failed. However, her drawing and painting talent led her to the branch of the Saudi Culture and Arts Association where she was able to join a group of actors and actresses as a makeup artist.
“I am an arts aficionado. I have many artistic works of different types such as oil, charcoal and watercolor painting, and many other old and contemporary art types” Mohammed told Arab News.
She added that her artistic talent was something she had not learned through schooling. “It is a gift of God,” she said.
Mohammed explained that her passion for makeup started a long time ago. She began spattering various colors on her own face as a canvas.
“I started putting waxy substances on my face and would look in the mirror and make changes. Some of my family members liked it and even asked me to apply makeup on their faces. Laughter first prevailed in the family, but I took it seriously and insisted on improving myself,” she said.
“Gradually,” she continued, “it became my job through which I can financially support my family and myself.” The would-be business administrator has now been working as cinematic artist for more than two years.
“I have recently received many requests to work with local acting stars of both genders to apply makeup for them,” Mohammed said.
She is not thinking about joining a higher institute to study makeup as she has no time to do so, but she “will consider that in the future.”
She pointed out that a makeup session for an actor takes her from 30 to 60 minutes, no matter what the character is or how complicated it is. She also added that it really pays.
“It is a good job and is worthy of all efforts I make. I sometimes get nearly SR700 ($186.6) for each makeup session,” she said.
The head of the theater committee at the Jeddah branch of Culture and Arts Association, Bakheet Al-Ameri, told Arab News that there are some 10 female makeup artists who have obtained accredited diplomas from renowned Arab institutes.
“We will organize a competition for Saudi makeup artists once we find a sponsoring company or person. We also need our universities to open up departments specializing in cinematic makeup. There will soon be a great demand for such artists,” Al-Ameri, who is also an actor, said.
Entertainment creating jobs in Saudi Arabia
Entertainment creating jobs in Saudi Arabia
Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University wraps up Handis Hackathon 24
- 16 teams were nominated, showcasing projects across various specializations
DAMMAM: Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University, represented by its Faculty of Engineering, has successfully concluded Handis Hackathon 24.
The event witnessed the participation of 88 male and female university students from the Eastern Province. It took place at the university’s headquarters in Dammam.
Dr. Murad Al-Thobaiti, dean of the faculty of engineering, said: “The event garnered significant participation from both male and female students within the university, as well as from other Saudi universities in the region.”
He said 16 teams were nominated, showcasing projects across various specializations.
Saudi Justice Ministry to host training conference
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Justice is to hold the International Conference of Judicial Training in Riyadh from May 6-7.
The Judicial Training Center hosts the event which will see the participation of several international training institutes, centers, and experts in the field of judicial and legal training. The objective is to facilitate the exchange of experiences and deliberations on contemporary trends in the era of digital transformation.
Called “The Future of Judicial Training in the Era of Digital Transformation,” the event will delve into the prospects of training in the future. It will explore paths for enhancing training content; strategies for harnessing modern technology; artificial intelligence in judicial training; and effective methodologies for measuring the training’s impact.
Saudi energy minister attends Tashkent International Investment Forum
TASHKENT: Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Thursday participated in the primary dialogue session at the third Tashkent International Investment Forum.
In the presence of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the energy minister highlighted the distinguished relations between the two nations, emphasizing the leadership’s strong commitment to enhancing and expanding cooperation across all sectors, particularly energy.
The partnership aims to benefit both countries and their citizens.
Who’s Who: Ali Alhasan, CEO and founder of NanoPalm
- Alhasan co-developed deep tech to leverage large language models for biotech discovery
- He was granted the Outstanding Researcher Award from the International Institute for Nanotechnology in 2012
Ali Alhasan is CEO and founder of the company NanoPalm. He holds a Ph.D. in nanomedicine, with expertise in nano-drug delivery and gene therapy and five years of experience in executive management.
In his role as CEO, Alhasan formulates the strategic and business plans for accelerating therapy translation globally and trains talents in deep tech, nanotech, and gene editing tech.
Alhasan co-developed deep tech to leverage large language models for biotech discovery. He also co-invented Nanopalm’s biorobots for the delivery of gene editing primers and helped discover four nanomedicines for four different genetic diseases.
He is also an associate professor at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and an adjunct professor at Alfaisal University, establishing collaboration agreements between the two.
As associate professor, he is the principal researcher for development and innovation in nanomedicine and the fourth industrial revolution.
In his role as adjunct professor, Alhasan teaches nanomedicine and mentors postgraduate and undergraduate students. He also co-established the Cancer Nanoscience Program.
Previously, Alhasan served in executive leadership roles at KACST as deputy at the Joint Centers of Excellence Program (2021), deputy of the Life Science and Environment Research Institute (2020), director of the Center of Excellence for Biomedicine (2020), and director of Strategic Initiatives (2016).
Alhasan was a post-doctoral scholar at the University of California in 2015 and received his Ph.D. in the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program from Northwestern University in 2013.
In 2008, he received a master’s degree in biotechnology also from Northwestern University, while in 2001, he received his bachelor’s degree in medical technology from King Abdulaziz University.
Alhasan was granted the Leader of the Year award from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in 2024. In 2018, he received the Outstanding Investigator Award from KACST.
He was granted the Outstanding Researcher Award from the International Institute for Nanotechnology in 2012.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks with Swiss foreign minister
- two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone with his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis on Thursday.
During the call, the two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Cassis was in the Kingdom last month to attend the Special Meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Riyadh on April 28 and 29, during which he met with Prince Faisal.
Prince Faisal and Cassis also met earlier in the year in February during UN meetings in Geneva.
