JEDDAH: Global Shapers Jeddah, a network of young people working together to address local and international challenges, held an event about the future of technology on Saturday.
The workshops and talks focused on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) — artificial intelligence, blockchain, robots, 3D-printing and the internet of things.
The event was the launchpad for Meraab, a new initiative to serve Saudi society through technology.
Hassan Gady, who helped found Meraab, said the initiative was designed to bring together young people and equip them with skills for the next decade.
“We try to gather people who have a common interest, which is future technology, and are passionate about programming skills in business under one roof,” he told Arab News.
Meraab targets talented Saudi students in Jeddah and Riyadh, aged from 16 to 30, who are excited about creating better technology.
“We will focus mainly on the Fourth Industrial Revolution ... 12 meetings will be held during the year. Each meeting will discuss a topic related to one future technology including energy, medicine, outer space, technology, education, health and water. In our community, we need to redirect youth interests toward outer space and we will do this through Meraab because it is the future,” he added.
Gady said he was looking for ambitious and bold young people, people who were ready to improve Saudi Arabia. “I don’t want people to come, listen and go. I want those who will listen, discuss and give suggestions.”
Meraab has a partnership with Popular Science, one of the world’s oldest science magazines.
A monthly report will be published on the magazine’s website about the outcomes of Meraab meetings.
Meraab will also soon announce a partnership with the Saudi Federation for Cyber Security, Programming and Drones.Future jobs need new skills
Future generations will have new careers related to 4IR and they should be ready to deal with within the next 10 years.
According to the World Economic Forum, approximately 65 percent of future jobs that will be occupied by the current primary school intake do not exist.
Hani Shodary, from King Abdulaziz University, said educational outputs needed to be adjusted for the changing labor market. He said work was being done to prepare students for future technology and careers.
“We are focusing a lot on enhancing and improving the skills that will help prepare students for future jobs ... we see what skills are needed in our labor market through studies predicting the future and, based on that, we develop certain academic programs,” Shodary told Arab News.
“Currently we are focusing on developing skills for the 21st century, that should be there in all students — the skills needed for 4IR careers. In 2030 there will be many new jobs that do not exist now, and thus students of today should be ready for them, and the technologies needed to do them.”
Raghad Alattas, from the Jeddah hub of Global Shapers, said the network was in a position to influence technology and the future of jobs.
She said that influence would come through leveraging the network’s links with the World Economic Forum and sharing that information and knowledge with the wider community.
“Awareness is a key component in order to expedite the process and make it real,” she told Arab News.
New project aims to transform Saudi Arabia through technology
New project aims to transform Saudi Arabia through technology
- Future generations will have new careers related to 4IR and they should be ready to deal with within the next 10 years
- Network brings together talented young people Robots, blockchain, artificial intelligence on the agenda
Saudi Arabia calls for unified Arab efforts to confront environmental challenges
- Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadli spoke of biodiversity and the Arab region’s natural resources
- Al-Fadli said that the region was capable of utilizing technology and innovation
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadli has stressed the importance of regional action to combat environmental challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa region and the world, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.
Speaking during the 38th meeting of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development in Riyadh, the minister spoke of biodiversity, the area’s natural resources and the range of agricultural environments, while stressing the challenges facing the region. He called for a united effort to reduce the impact on the region’s peoples.
Al-Fadli said that the Arab region was capable of utilizing technology and innovation, as well as seizing opportunities to invest in agriculture and improve practices to become more productive, efficient and sustainable in the use of water and natural resources.
He said enhancing trade, regional and international cooperation, and the benefits of international organizations were sources of optimism.
The minister said that the Arab region could take advantage of opportunities in technology, innovation and investment in agriculture by improving practices to make the utilization of water and natural resources more productive, efficient and sustainable.
Ibrahim Al Dukhairi, the director general of the organization, pledged his support for sustainability and agricultural development in the region, along with the development of the Arab landscape and food security.
He pointed out the significance of strategies to launch the necessary initiatives and partnerships to achieve the region’s goals.
Tourism Ministry signs job-creation deal
- Agreement was inked by Hind Al-Zahed, in charge of human-capacity development at the MoT, and Sabbar’s founder and CEO Mohammed Taha Ibrahim
- Agreement is aimed at ensuring the sector employs citizens in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has signed an agreement in Riyadh with Sabbar, a hiring company, to ensure job creation for the sector.
The agreement was inked by Hind Al-Zahed, in charge of human-capacity development at the ministry, and Sabbar’s founder and CEO Mohammed Taha Ibrahim.
Sabbar is a digital platform connecting employers with those seeking jobs.
The agreement is aimed at ensuring the sector employs citizens in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, and to boost the development of the nation’s tourism companies.
The ministry wants to ensure that quality jobs are created in the private sector; and establish a database of those seeking employment.
Specialist hospital is top healthcare institution
- Report highlighted a 31 percent increase in the brand value of the institution, surpassing SR5.6 billion
- Increase is attributed to its commitment to integrate the latest medical technologies and treatments
RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has led its sector for the second successive year, ranking as the top healthcare institution in the Kingdom and the Middle East.
It stands out as the only hospital globally to be among the top 10 valuable brands in its country, according to two reports by Brand Finance about the top 50 most valuable brands in Saudi Arabia, and the top 150 most valuable brands in the Middle East for 2024.
The report highlighted a 31 percent increase in the brand value of the institution, surpassing SR5.6 billion ($1.49 billion). This increase is attributed to its commitment to integrate the latest medical technologies and treatments, provide specialized medical care according to the latest international standards, and continuously develop research and patient care.
Muhannad Abdullah Kadi, chief corporate communications and marketing officer at KFSH&RC, said: “This achievement reflects the hospital’s commitment to achieving the highest quality standards and providing exceptional healthcare, as well as the value it provides to beneficiaries.”
He stressed that being among the top 10 most valuable brands in the Kingdom was evidence of the success of the transformations taking place in the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia.
Digital Cooperation Organization to attend Islamic Summit in Gambia
- 15th annual event will be held this weekend in Banjul
RIYADH: The Digital Cooperation Organization, which works to shape the global digital economy, will take part in the upcoming 15th annual Islamic Summit Conference in the Gambian capital Banjul.
DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya will head a delegation at the event, which runs from Saturday to Sunday alongside a series of summits organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to enhance cooperation and understanding between Islamic countries.
“The DCO’s participation in the conference embodies our firm commitment to strengthen multilateral action to reduce the digital gap and accelerate digital transformation and prosperity in cooperation with all concerned parties in the public and private sectors and civil institutions, as well as international and regional organizations concerned with development,” Al-Yahya said.
“It is consistent with the goal of the organization, digital cooperation aimed at promoting comprehensive and sustainable development in the global digital economy within a cooperative framework.”
Al-Yahya said she would hold talks with several heads of state as well as the leaders of other delegations during the event.
The agenda of the conference, which is being held under the slogan “Promoting Unity and Solidarity Through Dialogue for Sustainable Development,” covers areas of political, economic, social, cultural and technological interest as well as issues related to the media, law, social affairs, administration and finance.
The DCO has signed a memorandum of understanding with the OIC to provide a framework for cooperation to develop a sustainable digital economy and collaborate in the field of digitization of human resources to help enhance internet connectivity in remote and rural areas.
Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to UAE president on key official’s death
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday offered condolences to the ruler of the United Arab Emirates on the death of a key official and a member of the royal family, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In a cable to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president, King Salman expressed "our deepest and sincere condolences" on the death of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi’s ruler representative in Al Ain, who died on May 1, 2024.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed "my warmest and most sincere condolences" in a separate cable to the UAE leader, the SPA said.
