RIYADH: Mohammed Al-Sudairi, the Saudi deputy minister of education for universities, research and innovation, opened the Kingdom’s pavilion at the 49th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions.

Some 26 Saudi Arabian universities are taking part at the event — including 19 government universities, two independents and five private bodies — and a total of 113 inventions have been produced, in scientific, theoretical, medical, and biological specializations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Among the universities taking part is Qassim University, which is showcasing a display that highlights innovations and several inventions.

Abdulaziz bin Bani Alharbi, a faculty member at Qassim’s College of Agriculture and Food, said that the college was showcasing a patent registered with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property: a method for desalinating salt water using a halophyte plant.

He said the invention involved introducing water and placing the plant in a closed system that allowed the collection of water from the plant after the transpiration process.

Alharbi added that gas exchange followed and then desalination to obtain salt-free water.

Fahad Alminderej, a faculty member at the College of Science, said his group had obtained a patent for extracting materials from date waste, and was then using them in pharmaceutical manufacturing in an innovative manner. This patent had also been registered with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.

Abdullah Almohaimeed, the head of the Innovation Center and Intellectual Property at the university, said that Qassim was participating in the exhibition as part of the Ministry of Education’s initiative to enhance the international presence of Saudi universities, in line with national objectives.

He added that the university’s participation aimed to highlight its role in supporting the innovation system and entrepreneurship, as well as showcase many inventions.

The exhibition, which is taking place until April 21, is displaying more than 1,000 inventions from over 40 countries. Some 800 exhibitors are featured at the event and 30,000 visitors are expected to attend, in addition to 650 journalists.

It is the world’s largest annual event devoted exclusively to invention.

VENICE/LONCON: Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi minister of culture and governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla, has concluded his official visit to Italy.

Throughout his trip, he engaged in discussions with prominent Italian cultural figures, aiming to strengthen cooperation and foster cultural exchanges between the two countries.

During the visit, the Saudi minister convened with his Italian counterpart, Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano.

They delved into strategies to strengthen cooperation and deepen cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The pair praised noteworthy cultural initiatives and projects that unfolded in 2023 across diverse spheres including heritage preservation, fashion, music, museum exhibitions, architectural innovation, design, and visual arts.

During this week’s trip, Prince Badr visited the Saudi Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, hosted at the Arsenale center, which was showcasing Manal AlDowayan’s “Shifting Sands: A Battle Song.”

AlDowayan’s work illuminates the evolving role of Saudi women in the public sphere, and their efforts to redefine both their physical spaces and the narratives surrounding them.

Prince Badr also explored the “Journeys in Land Art: Towards Wadi AlFann, AlUla” exhibition, which serves as an introduction to the Kingdom’s culturally and historically rich region of AlUla.

It also features work by AlDowayan alongside exhibits by Agnes Denis, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater, and James Turrell, and includes photographs and video presentations.

The exhibition runs until April 30, and will host discussion panels on topics such as land art, art in public spaces, visitor experiences, museum curation, and the interplay of art and archaeology, offering a range of perspectives.