Ahmed Al-Balawi has been the director general of Mashroat — National Project Management Organization since May 2016.
Al-Balawi did his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in 1989. Subsequently, he joined the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu as a mechanical engineer in 1997. During his tenure at the commission, he served in key positions and continued to climb the ladder to become the general manager of technical affairs in 2010.
Mashroat is the government arm enabling infrastructure projects. It provides consultancy and technical support to government agencies in project management, operation, and maintenance to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the national infrastructure, as well as ensuring the projects are in line with global best practices and meet the aspirations of Vision 2030.
Mashroat and King Fahd Causeway Authority (KFCA) signed a memorandum of understanding to raise the efficiency of KFCA’s facility and asset management as well as its overall operation and maintenance practices as it embarks on ambitious plans to build a second causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Commenting on the deal, Al-Balawi said: “Our role will be to help them (KFCA) benefit from global standards and enhance the facility and asset management operation.
“Our partnerships represent positive progress towards achieving facility management at an international level and raising the overall efficiency and sustainability of major infrastructure projects.”
Ahmed Al-Balawi, Director general of Mashroat — National Project Management Organization
Ahmed Al-Balawi, Director general of Mashroat — National Project Management Organization
- Director general of National Project Management Organization since May 2016
Students explore AI, robotics with MIT expert
RIYADH: Misk Schools in Riyadh has hosted specialized workshops in robotics and artificial intelligence, introducing students to research led by prominent Saudi experts.
Saudi researcher Sharifa Al-Ghowinem, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, visited as part of the initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
She worked over three sessions with students from the early years and upper elementary grades on activities focused on basic shapes and block-based programming.
Older students undertook more advanced tasks involving robotic drawing.
The interactive workshops gave students direct guidance and insight into ongoing research at MIT.
Dr. Steffen Sommer, director general of Misk Schools, said Al-Ghowinem’s work extended beyond technical achievement.
He said: “Her research reflects a Saudi vision that is shaping global scientific inquiry at MIT.
“Her visit gave Misk Schools’ students a unique opportunity to engage directly with a scientist advancing human-robot interaction in both Arabic and English.”
