FaceOf: Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of Arabic international language center
Updated 26 January 2019
Arab News
Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi has been the secretary-general of the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz International Center for Arabic Language (KAICAL) since 2012.
Al-Washmi also serves as a professor of Arabic Language at Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh.
Previously, he was the chairman of the Riyadh Literary Club’s board of directors. He worked as an adviser at the Ministry of Culture and Information, and as media adviser at King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh.
Moreover, he represented Saudi Arabia in international cultural conferences and meetings in Turkey, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Azerbaijan.
Al-Washmi holds a master’s degree in literary criticism and a Ph.D. in rhetoric and literary criticism from the faculty of Arabic language at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University Riyadh.
In addition, he is an author and an award-winning poet. He won the first place in the Prince Faisal Award for Arabic Poetry in 2001 and has published several academic papers, books, and books of verses.
KAICAL will hold new courses within its international program, in cooperation with a number of institutions and universities outside the Kingdom.
The center has been invited to participate in the UNESCO program to celebrate the year 2019 for indigenous languages on Jan. 28.
Al-Washmi said that he is pleased to work with various international bodies to enhance the qualitative presence of the Arabic language and Saudi institutions in the international context.
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
Updated 24 January 2026
SALEH FAREED
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 sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
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.”
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
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.
