Set to achieve mission of developing a world-class aviation infrastructure

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Updated 07 May 2022
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Set to achieve mission of developing a world-class aviation infrastructure

John Selden is the CEO of NEOM Airport and Airline.

Before taking over his current position, Selden was the general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Selden visited Saudi Arabia in December 2019, led by the US-Saudi Business Council, along with his counterparts from Dallas and Seattle to attend seminars on airport management and construction.

To achieve his mission of developing a world-class aviation infrastructure, he has recruited the brightest minds from all over the world.

Once up and running, NEOM will feature the latest innovations in urban design, mobility and sustainability. The gigaproject aims to become the technology hub of the Kingdom and a textbook case study for smart-city development and innovation.

The future city is a crucial modernization project driven by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It will embody an international ethos and embrace a culture of exploration, risk-taking, and diversity — all supported by a progressive law compatible with international norms and conducive to economic development and growth.

Selden joined Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in October 2018 after a stint as deputy general manager at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. He has over 30 years of aviation experience, including serving as a navy commander and a commercial pilot.


Saudi Arabia leads outcome-based education to prepare future-ready generations: Harvard Business Review

A Harvard sign is seen at the Harvard University campus in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 27, 2025. (AFP)
Updated 10 February 2026
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Saudi Arabia leads outcome-based education to prepare future-ready generations: Harvard Business Review

  • The Riyadh-based school group developed a strategy that links every classroom activity to measurable student competencies, aiming to graduate learners equipped for the digital economy and real-world contexts

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s education system is undergoing a sweeping transformation aligned with Vision 2030, shifting from traditional, input-focused methods to outcome-based education designed to equip students with future-ready skills, Harvard Business Review Arabic reported.

The transformation is being adopted and spearheaded by institutions such as Al-Nobala Private Schools, which introduced the Kingdom’s first national “learning outcomes framework,” aimed at preparing a generation of leaders and innovators for an AI-driven future, the report said.

Al-Nobala has leveraged international expertise to localize advanced learning methodologies.

The Riyadh-based school group developed a strategy that links every classroom activity to measurable student competencies, aiming to graduate learners equipped for the digital economy and real-world contexts. The school’s group approach combines traditional values with 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, communication, innovation and digital fluency.

According to the report, the shift addresses the growing gap between outdated models built for low-tech, resource-constrained environments and today’s dynamic world, where learners must navigate real-time information, virtual platforms, and smart technologies.

“This is not just about teaching content, it’s about creating impact,” the report noted, citing how Al-Nobala’s model prepares students to thrive in an AI-driven world while aligning with national priorities.

The report noted that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has paved the way for this shift by transitioning from a centralized controller to a strategic enabler, allowing schools such as Al-Nobala to tailor their curriculum to meet evolving market and societal needs. This is part of the long-term goal to place the Kingdom among the top 20 global education systems.

Al-Nobala’s work, the report stated, has succeeded in serving the broader national effort to link education outcomes directly to labor market demands, helping to fulfill the Vision 2030 pillar of building a vibrant society with a thriving economy driven by knowledge and innovation.

Last February, Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Saudi Arabia’s minister of education, said that the Kingdom was making “an unprecedented investment in education,” with spending aligned to the needs of growth and development. He said that in 2025, education received the second-largest share of the state budget, totaling $53.5 billion.