Dr. Khalid Al-Sultan is the newly appointed chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Electricity Company, a position he has held in an acting capacity since 2018.
A long-time academic, he began his career as an assistant professor at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in 1990, rising through the university’s academic ranks before becoming rector in 2003. Notably, he is the first rector to have graduated from the institution to hold this position. He also has served as deputy minister for educational affairs.
He served as dean of the College of Computer Sciences and Engineering from September 1996 until August 1998 and chairman of the Department of Systems Engineering from June 1993 until August 1996 at KFUPM.
He was a visiting professor at King Saud University between 1999 and 2000 and an undersecretary at the Ministry of Higher Education between 1999 and 2003.
Al-Sultan was acting director of Hail University from 2005 to 2007 and a member of the board of trustees at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology from 2009 to 2017.
He has also served on the editorial boards of several international journals, has published 40 papers, co-authored one book and four book chapters, and attended numerous international conferences.
Al-Sultan holds a doctorate in industrial and operations engineering (operations research) and a Master of Science in applied mathematics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1990.
Prior to that, he obtained a Master of Science in systems engineering from KFUPM in January 1987, and a Bachelor of Science (with highest honors) in the same field in January 1985, also from KFUPM.
Dr. Khalid Al-Sultan, chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Electricity Company
https://arab.news/muyec
Dr. Khalid Al-Sultan, chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Electricity Company
Saudi Film Festival to return in April with focus on Korean cinema
- Ahmed Al-Mulla, founder and director of the Saudi Film Festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to welcome filmmakers to our annual gathering. Our doors are open to all creators, and filmmakers remain at the heart of everything we do
DHAHRAN: The Saudi Film Festival, organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture and supported by the Saudi Film Commission, has announced that it will launch at Ithra in Dhahran between April 23-29.
This year’s festival explores the theme of “Cinema of the Journey,” presenting a selection of Arab and international films, both short and feature-length, that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements.
The program includes road movies, travel narratives and films where physical or emotional journeys drive the narrative.
The theme encourages Saudi filmmakers to explore this subject through their own perspectives. It positions cinema itself as an act of continuous transition, where identity, place, and time converge to shape the human experience.
FASTFACTS
• This year’s Saudi Film Festival will explore the theme of ‘Cinema of the Journey,’ presenting a selection of Arab and international films that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements.
• The program includes road movies, travel narratives and films where physical or emotional journeys drive the narrative.
Following last year’s focus on Japanese cinema, the festival will present a special “Spotlight on Korean Cinema” this year.
Ahmed Al-Mulla, founder and director of the Saudi Film Festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to welcome filmmakers to our annual gathering. Our doors are open to all creators, and filmmakers remain at the heart of everything we do. This year’s festival creates an atmosphere filled with inspiration, idea exchange, and shared learning. It’s a celebration of cinematic creativity for everyone.”
Tariq Al-Khawaji, deputy director of the festival, added: “At Ithra, we’re proud of our longstanding partnership with the Cinema Association. It has enabled the festival’s growth and thematic diversity year after year, which we see clearly in how we empower filmmakers and create opportunities to engage with global cinema.
“The festival continues to grow across all areas, from preparations and participation to industry expectations locally and regionally. That makes attention to every detail essential.”
Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. After intermittent early editions, it has now established itself as an annual platform for narrative and documentary competitions, industry programs and project markets.
By bringing together emerging and established filmmakers in Dhahran each year, the festival strengthens Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on the global film stage.
