Gifted young Saudis key focus of 2nd Mawhiba global conference

Al-Hazzaa said a global talent platform would be launched during the conference that would see the participation of some of the world’s most promising young people. (SPA)
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Updated 11 December 2022
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Gifted young Saudis key focus of 2nd Mawhiba global conference

  • Applying science, technology critical, says official
  • ‘Ideathon’ sessions seek solutions for world challenges

JEDDAH: A major conference to help identify and develop gifted young Saudis in the key areas of science and technology was launched on Saturday in Jeddah.

On behalf of King Salman, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal got the second Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity underway. It will run until Dec. 14.

The event, organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions’ Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, also known as Mawhiba, is being held in the Saudi coastal city under the theme “Journey Toward the New Future.”

HIGHLIGHT

Mawhiba Secretary-General Amal Al-Hazzaa said the participants are connected by their motivation, passion and thirst for knowledge. She emphasized that Saudi Arabia continued to play a leading role worldwide to support and nurture talented youth.

Mawhiba Secretary-General Amal Al-Hazzaa said the participants are connected by their motivation, passion and thirst for knowledge. She emphasized that Saudi Arabia continued to play a leading role worldwide to support and nurture talented youth.

Al-Hazzaa thanked for their assistance the Saudi Ministry of Education, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Basic Industries Corp., NEOM, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, and the Royal Commission for AlUla.

“Science, on its own, cannot provide food to those feeling or showing the need for it. Moreover, science can neither heal those suffering from illnesses, nor can it support them to build a prosperous society … (so) science and technology should be applied so that we can achieve the desired results,” said Al-Hazzaa.

She said a global talent platform would be launched during the conference that would see the participation of some of the world’s most promising young people.

The gathering opened with a group of young people performing a show to highlight the solutions humanity can find through the application of advanced technology. Prince Khaled then launched the event with praise for those organizations and companies backing the initiative.

The scientific committee of the conference met later to participate in the “Ideathon” sessions to find the winning ideas that could be developed further.

 

 


Riyadh expo reveals the future of family entertainment

Updated 7 sec ago
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Riyadh expo reveals the future of family entertainment

  • Firms from over 40 countries showcase industry-disrupting products at Saudi Entertainment and Amusement expo

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia provided an insight into the future of family entertainment, with the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement expo revealing the biggest disruptors in the industry, and showing how technology will shape developments in the rapidly growing market.

As the expo concluded on Thursday, Daniel Hudson, global head of commercial and business development at Embed, told Arab News: “It’s an exciting time for the amusement and FEC (family entertainment centers) industry in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. The Saudi market is so dynamic that we are seeing the emergence of both standalone entertainment offerings and giga-projects underway, with the FECs as the core entertainment offering.”

A family entertainment center, also known as an indoor amusement park, family amusement center, family fun center, soft play, or simply fun center, is a small amusement park marketed toward families with young children to teenagers, often entirely indoors.

“Under Saudi Vision 2030, building Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life Program through vibrant experiences in tourism, hospitality, and family entertainment puts us in a strategic position to help realize the goal through our cashless solutions. The Saudi market is so vast that there is room for both the continuous development of FECs and the emergence of IP themed FECs. The sector will stay important, and is in fact one of the reasons why the FECs in the region are evolving,” said Hudson.

Referring to Embed’s clients and work in Saudi Arabia, he said: “We have the first-mover advantage as one of the earliest cashless system providers in the Kingdom, with our long-time client over 10 years old."

He said that Embed’s commitment to Saudi Vision 2030, along with its local partners, shows the quality of its presence in the Kingdom.

“We have a lot of esteemed customers in Saudi Arabia, and Sala Entertainment is one of them, with over 40 locations running on the Embed system,” he said.

The three-day expo at the Riyadh Front featured hundreds of entertainment brands from across the globe, with firms from over 40 countries showcasing their industry-disrupting products.


South African ambassador holds Freedom Day celebration in Riyadh 

Updated 4 min 20 sec ago
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South African ambassador holds Freedom Day celebration in Riyadh 

  • Freedom Day is celebrated annually on April 27 in South Africa to commemorate its first democratic election on that day in 1994

RIYADH: Mogobo David Magabe, South Africa’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, hosted a Freedom Day celebration on Thursday in Riyadh’s Cultural Palace.

Freedom Day is celebrated annually on April 27 in South Africa to commemorate its first democratic election on that day in 1994, an event that signaled the end of official racial segregation in the country. The embassy in Riyadh decided to hold the 30th anniversary celebrations after Ramadan. 

“This is a very important day because of the relationship that South Africa shares with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in several areas,” Magabe told Arab News. “Since 1994, our diplomatic ties, which this year turn 30, have grown substantially.

“Saudi Arabia is a regional power that is presenting itself as a gateway into the market and GCC countries,” the ambassador continued. “South Africa is also a gateway into the continent of Africa and the two friendly nations play a very important role.” 

Magabe highlighted numerous visits made by South Africa’s leaders to the Kingdom, including President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit in October 2022, when he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. During that visit, the two sides signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding, to a value exceeding $15 billion, and also agreed to explore areas of joint cooperation in the fields of energy, petroleum and petrochemicals, and electricity and renewable energy such as solar and wind. 

At the celebrations on Thursday, Magabe gave a speech highlighting the historical ties between the two countries and areas of cooperation including trade, investment, and tourism. Governor of the Riyadh Region, Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, was the guest of honor. 

Following Magabe’s opening remarks and the cutting of the cake — performed by the ambassador and the governor of Riyadh — guests had the opportunity to sample multiple products and dishes from South Africa.


Leading Saudi science, engineering students to compete in world fair

Updated 10 May 2024
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Leading Saudi science, engineering students to compete in world fair

  • 35 students selected from 210,000 candidates this year
  • Mitigating dust build-up on solar panels is a top project

RIYADH: Thirty-five Saudi Arabia students will compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2024 in Los Angeles from May 10 to 18, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

They will join 1,700 other participants from 70 countries in the ISEF, which is recognized as a pre-college competition in scientific research and innovation. The Kingdom will be led by representatives from the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or Mawhiba, and the Ministry of Education.

The Kingdom’s team was selected from over 210,000 candidates earlier this year by experts and specialists linked to Mawhiba. Their projects underwent rigorous evaluation during the “Ibdaa” National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, culminating in the selection of 180.

Thirty-five talented students were nominated to represent the Kingdom in the ISEF from the 45 students whose projects qualified for the Olympiad’s finals, the SPA reported.

Among these students is Areej Al-Qarni, who will showcase her research focused on mitigating dust accumulation on solar panels. This is a problem that leads to energy and financial losses amounting to millions of dollars.

Al-Qarni explained that her research is aimed at developing sustainable solutions to this global issue, to conserve energy and ensure financial viability for crucial projects.

Areej Al-Qarni will showcase her research focused on mitigating dust accumulation on solar panels. (SPA)

Mawhiba has emphasized that the students chosen to represent the Kingdom underwent rigorous training conducted by both local and international academics and experts across various disciplines, the SPA reported.

The Kingdom is a primary sponsor of the ISEF 2024 exhibition, offering prizes for innovative projects in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. These prizes include full scholarships for undergraduate studies at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and participation in the Mawhiba Universal Enrichment Program.

This year marks the Kingdom’s 18th-consecutive participation in the ISEF. Saudi Arabia students have at previous fairs won 133 awards, including 92 grand prizes and 41 special distinctions.


KSrelief sends food and shelter aid to Pakistan and Sudan

Updated 10 May 2024
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KSrelief sends food and shelter aid to Pakistan and Sudan

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has sent food and shelter aid to Pakistan and Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

A total of 450 shelter bags were distributed in Sudan’s El-Gadarif state, benefiting 2,588 individuals.

In Pakistan’s Pakhtunkhwa province 710 food baskets for 4,970 individuals were handed to vulnerable families in flood-affected areas. This was a part KSrelief’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan 2024.


World Red Cross, Red Crescent day marked with conferences, exhibitions

Updated 10 May 2024
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World Red Cross, Red Crescent day marked with conferences, exhibitions

  • Event is celebrated worldwide every May 8 to highlight the life-saving role played by the organizations

RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority marked World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day this week with various events, exhibitions and conferences in the Kingdom.

The SRCA’s activities included marches on the main roads of several governorates as well as lectures and training courses to raise community awareness.

The day is celebrated on May 8 every year to emphasize the importance of alleviating the suffering of people worldwide, especially in countries afflicted by conflict and natural disasters.

In the Eastern Province, the SRCA in collaboration with Alasala College in Dammam, held a series of awareness events on the vital humanitarian work carried out by both organizations.

Those attending had the opportunity to observe medical workers undertake a drill using ambulances for emergencies under difficult circumstances.

There was also an exhibition featuring the latest emergency medical equipment and information provided when using the hotline number 997.

Lectures were delivered on topics including risks associated with overcrowding, the importance of allowing unimpeded access for ambulances, and guidelines for handling different emergency situations.

Visitors were also introduced to volunteering opportunities, training programs, and the Family Links initiative.

In the northwestern province of Tabuk, the SRCA’s Director-General Nawaf bin Mayah Al-Anazi led the celebration, with awareness programs and skills training at Tabuk Park Mall.

(With SPA)