Saudi education portal among global top 4, says UNESCO official

1 / 3
Saudi Education Minister Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh held a meeting with UNESCO’s top official Stefania Giannini in Italy on Tuesday. (SPA)
2 / 3
Saudi Education Minister Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh held a meeting with UNESCO’s top official Stefania Giannini in Italy on Tuesday. (SPA)
3 / 3
Saudi Education Minister Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh held a meeting with UNESCO’s top official Stefania Giannini in Italy on Tuesday. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 23 June 2021
Follow

Saudi education portal among global top 4, says UNESCO official

  • The UNESCO official said the Kingdom’s success in introducing distance learning in a short time has propelled it into a leadership role in this field

RIYADH: UNESCO’s assistant director general for education on Tuesday lauded Saudi Arabia for promptly switching over to online learning methods in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
During a meeting with Saudi Education Minister Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh on the sidelines of the G20 education ministers’ meeting in Catania in Italy, Stefania Giannini said the Kingdom has achieved great success in e-learning and distance education during the pandemic.
She praised the swiftness of the Saudi authorities in switching over to online learning without compromising on the quality of education.
The UNESCO official said the Kingdom’s success in introducing distance learning in a short time has propelled it into a leadership role in this field. Giannini said the Madarasti online learning platform introduced by the Kingdom is among the top four global models.

FASTFACT

The Madarasti platform provides students with virtual classes, homework assignments, and delivery tools and is used in conjunction with the iEN YouTube channel and the iEN national education portal.

The fully interactive platform was developed as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, which shut down schools across the Kingdom. It is designed so that students can log in and attend their lessons digitally, interact with their teachers and track their progress.
It provides students with virtual classes, homework assignments, and delivery tools and is used in conjunction with the iEN YouTube channel and the iEN national education portal.
School leaders consistently monitor the educational process via Madrasati, prepare class schedules, communicate with absent students, and provide technical support for students and their parents.


Saudi Arabia, India agree on mutual short-stay visa exemptions to boost bilateral exchanges

Updated 18 December 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia, India agree on mutual short-stay visa exemptions to boost bilateral exchanges

  • Agreement makes official travel easier between the 2 countries

RIYADH: In a significant move to cut through bureaucratic procedures, Saudi Arabia and India have signed a bilateral visa waiver agreement, with both countries agreeing on mutual short-stay visa exemptions to facilitate official travel and boost bilateral exchanges.

Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan and Abdulmajeed bin Rashed Alsmari, the deputy minister for protocol affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed the agreement — the latter on behalf of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan — at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday.

“The agreement will facilitate official travel and boost bilateral exchanges under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council,” Khan told Arab News.

The agreement provides mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports from both countries.

It signifies a step forward in bilateral relations, making official travel easier for government, diplomatic and special envoys, and reflects the growing trust and cooperation between the two countries.

The deal is expected to streamline the movement of officials between the Kingdom and India and strengthen cooperation across various sectors under the strategic partnership framework established between the countries.