Naif university hosts international school for nuclear security

Naif Arab University for Security Sciences is hosting the “International School on Nuclear Security in Arabic” program to promote Arab-international cooperation in nuclear security. (SPA/File)
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Updated 04 October 2021
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Naif university hosts international school for nuclear security

  • NAUSS has carried out several symposiums and conferences within the framework of its cooperation with relevant international institutions

RIYADH: Naif Arab University for Security Sciences is hosting the “International School on Nuclear Security in Arabic” program to promote Arab-international cooperation in nuclear security.

Organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency in cooperation with NAUSS and the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission from Oct. 3 to Oct. 14, 48 experts from 12 countries will take part in the program to provide an overview of nuclear security, targeting junior professionals in institutions concerned with atomic security or relevant institutions in Arabic-speaking countries.

The school aims to introduce fundamental concepts in nuclear security necessary to understand international requirements in the field, and measures to meet any obligations under the global atomic security legal framework.

The curriculum will include an international legal framework supporting nuclear security, identification and addressing atomic security threats, instruments and methods for physical protection of nuclear facilities, radiation-detection instruments and detection strategies and techniques.

It also includes practical exercises designed to incorporate knowledge acquired into national planning, and procedures to protect against threats to nuclear security.

NAUSS has carried out several symposiums and conferences within the framework of its cooperation with relevant international institutions.

The Security Research Center at NAUSS has also published a collection of studies and papers in this area and 38 masters and doctorates theses have been presented throughout the universities’ faculties.

NAUSS recently carried out training and scientific events related to nuclear security, including courses on “Combating nuclear terrorism: The security and protection of radioactive substances,” “Facts about nuclear risks,” “Nuclear and biological risks,” and “Nuclear security strategy in Arab countries.”


Carved by time: Saudi Arabia’s hidden geotourism gem of Razan

Updated 06 February 2026
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Carved by time: Saudi Arabia’s hidden geotourism gem of Razan

  • Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment
  • This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road

AL-LITH: Sixty kilometers north of Al-Lith governorate in the Kingdom's west, rising above the shifting sands and valleys of the Makkah region, lies a place where the earth itself tells a story. This is Razan, a geological wonder where history is not written in ink, but etched into the stone by the patient hands of wind, water, and time.

Perched atop a high rocky mass and flanked by valleys to the northwest and southeast, Razan stands in natural isolation. This geographic solitude has acted as a guardian, preserving a landscape that feels almost otherworldly — a pristine stage set by nature over millennia.

The place is defined by its striking rock formations: dense clusters of stone, stepped ridges that resemble ancient staircases, and natural ceilings sculpted by the relentless flow of seasonal torrents.

The visual impact is one of dramatic contrast — the heaviness of solid rock balanced against open, airy spaces carved by erosion. Fine channels and intricate flow patterns mark the stone, serving as fossilized evidence of the water that once rushed through these corridors, shaping the land into a rugged work of art.
 

In the quiet majesty of Razan, the past is preserved. (SPA)

Nature’s infrastructure 

But Razan is more than just a scenic marvel; for centuries, it served as a lifeline. The same forces that sculpted the cliffs also hollowed out natural rock basins. These geological depressions acted as seasonal reservoirs, catching rainwater and supplementing nearby wells. Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment.

This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road. The sturdy, elevated terrain provided a natural pathway for pilgrims, offering stability and protection on their spiritual journey toward Makkah.

Today, Razan stands at the intersection of heritage and opportunity. No longer just a passage for pilgrims, it is emerging as a valuable asset for geotourism. Its unique topography offers a visual feast for travelers and a treasure trove for scientists studying geological history.

As Saudi Arabia moves toward the goals of Vision 2030, sites like Razan are finding new purpose. By transforming this geological narrative into a tourism destination, the region aims to preserve its natural heritage while breathing new life into the local economy.