King Faisal Prize 2023 awarded to international list of recipients

King Faisal Prize General Secretariat announced King Faisal Prize winners for 2023. (Supplied)
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Updated 05 January 2023
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King Faisal Prize 2023 awarded to international list of recipients

  • An Emirati, a Moroccan, a Korean, Brits and Americans make up the winners in fields from science to literature

RIYADH: An Emirati, a Moroccan, a South Korean, two British, and three Americans are among those to have won the King Faisal Prize for 2023.

In its 45th edition, the prestigious award recognizes COVID-19 vaccine developers, nanotechnology scientists, and eminent figures in each of its Arabic Language and Literature, Islamic Studies, and Service to Islam categories.

Announcing the winners on Thursday, the King Faisal Prize General Secretariat said: “The selection committees of the 2023 King Faisal Prize, after meticulous deliberations that were held from Monday to Wednesday (Jan. 2-4, 2023), have reached the decisions for the prize’s five categories: Service to Islam, Islamic Studies, Arabic language & Literature, Medicine, and Science.”

The King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam 2023 is awarded jointly to Shaikh Nasser bin Abdullah of the UAE and Prof. Choi Young Kil-Hamed from South Korea.

The King Faisal Prize for Islamic Studies for 2023, on the topic of Islamic architecture, is awarded to Prof. Robert Hillenbrand from the UK.

This year’s King Faisal Prize for Arabic Language and Literature, on the topic of classical Arabic narrative and modern theories, is awarded to Morocco’s Prof. Abdelfattah Kilito.

The King Faisal Prize for Medicine for 2023, focusing on pandemics and vaccine development, is awarded jointly to Prof. Dan Hung Barouch from the US and Prof. Sarah Catherine Gilbert from the UK.

The King Faisal Prize for Science for this year in chemistry is awarded jointly to Prof. Jackie Yi-Ru Ying and Prof. Chad Alexander Mirkin, both from the US.

This year, two female scientists were announced winners of the King Faisal Prize in the Medicine and Science categories. The woman behind the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Prof. Gilbert, who is the Said chair of vaccinology at the Nuffield Department of Medicine at Oxford University, co-created the jab, which has been used in more than 180 countries, saving countless lives due to its efficiency, low cost, and accessibility.




Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying (L) and Professor Sarah Gilbert (R). (Supplied)

Prof. Ying is the senior fellow and director at NanoBio Lab, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research.

She is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was chosen for her work on the synthesis of various advanced nanomaterials and systems, and their applications in catalysis, energy conversion, and biomedicine.

The King Faisal Prize was established in 1977. Since then, 275 recipients from 43 countries have been honored, of whom 21 have gone on to win a Nobel Prize. This year’s awards will be presented at a ceremony later in 2023.

The prize was granted for the first time in 1979 in three categories: Service to Islam, Islamic studies, and Arabic language and literature. Two additional categories were introduced in 1981: Medicine and science. The first medicine prize was awarded in 1982, and in science two years later.


Saudi Arabia makes space for freelancers to thrive in culinary sector

Updated 12 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia makes space for freelancers to thrive in culinary sector

  • Culinary Commission’s latest move is ‘a dream come true’ for chefs

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission has launched a freelance license for chefs via the Abde’a Cultural Licenses Platform.

The commission’s CEO, Mayada Badr, told Arab News: “The freelance chef license is a major milestone in empowering Saudi culinary talent, as it is opening the door for chefs to innovate and succeed independently while contributing to the Kingdom’s culinary sector.”

The newly introduced license will enable Saudi nationals aged 18 and above — and who hold certified culinary training and valid food safety or health certifications. (Supplied)

Abde’a, an e-platform developed to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, is operated under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture.

The newly introduced license will enable Saudi nationals aged 18 and above — and who hold certified culinary training and valid food safety or health certifications — to legally provide freelance culinary services, paving the way for wider freelance opportunities in diverse venues and events across the Kingdom.

The freelance chef license is a major milestone in empowering Saudi culinary talent, as it is opening the door for chefs to innovate and succeed independently while contributing to the Kingdom’s culinary sector.

Mayada Badr, Saudi Culinary Arts Commission CEO

The initiative will “support skill development and career growth in the sector, as well as recognition and credibility by reinforcing adherence to professional standards in the culinary field,” according to a statement.

Chef Rawan Al-Harthi, a Jeddah-based pastry chef, said: “This license gives us the freedom to showcase our culinary identity while working independently and legally. It’s a dream come true for chefs who want to grow their brand without being tied to a restaurant.”

Another chef, Faisal Al-Malki, echoed Al-Harthi’s sentiments. “Being recognized as a licensed freelance chef adds value to our profession and pushes us to raise the bar in terms of quality and creativity,” he said.

The launch of this initiative “underscores the commission’s commitment to expanding opportunities for local culinary talent, while fostering a culture of creativity and professionalism,” a press release stated.

 


Croatian PM receives GCC chief in Dubrovnik

Updated 12 July 2025
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Croatian PM receives GCC chief in Dubrovnik

  • They reviewed relations between the GCC and Croatia, and discussed ways to develop and strengthen ties to serve mutual interests

DUBROVNIK: Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi was received by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic at the Dubrovnik Forum in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on Saturday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the “latest developments in free trade agreement negotiations and a proposal to hold a joint Gulf-European conference on energy security,” the General Secretariat said in a report.

They also reviewed relations between the GCC and Croatia, and discussed ways to develop and strengthen ties to serve mutual interests.

 


Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha

Updated 12 July 2025
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Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha

  • Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry’s branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people

RIYADH: The Baha branch of the Ministry of Sports, together with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation, organized a hiking program as part of the “Color Your Summer with Sports” campaign.

The event was held in cooperation with the region’s municipality and health cluster as part of the Baha Summer Season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry’s branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people. The event took place in natural locations that reflect the region’s landscape, he added.

Baha’s mountains, valleys and dams offer suitable areas for various sports, including mountain and water activities, he said. These features support the region’s role in sports tourism in the Kingdom.

Al-Ghamdi added that the program is part of a plan to develop the sports sector in Baha and build partnerships with sports federations.

The initiative aims to support the local economy and attract sports and tourism visitors, from the Kingdom and beyond, Al-Ghamdi said.


Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition

Updated 12 July 2025
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Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition

  • Event highlights smart projects, training initiatives, and global partnerships in the sector

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Transport General Authority, held an international exhibition in London to showcase its key initiatives and achievements in supporting the maritime transport industry.

The event was attended by senior officials and saw broad participation from International Maritime Organization member states, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Khalid bin Bandar and Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, along with government officials, embassy representatives, and maritime attaches.

The event highlighted the Kingdom’s role as an active partner in the international maritime system and a key contributor to developing global maritime regulations and practices, the SPA added.

It also reflected Saudi Arabia’s continued influence within the International Maritime Organization and its efforts to promote sustainability and improve the efficiency of maritime supply chains.

The exhibition showcased the academies and specialized centers established by the Kingdom, as well as initiatives to localize talent and train seafarers, officers, and marine engineers.

It also featured smart projects that support automation in the sector, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, according to the SPA.

Prince Khalid said that the exhibition reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international cooperation, highlighting the Kingdom’s hospitality and pursuit of sustainable, collaborative maritime partnerships.

Al-Jasser said that the Kingdom is steadily moving toward leadership in maritime transport, driven by Vision 2030 and investments in talent and technology to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub.

In recent years, the Saudi maritime sector has grown rapidly, with the number of Saudi-flagged vessels reaching 409, totaling more than 100,000 gross tons and more than 16.5 million deadweight tons.

The number of registered Saudi seafarers has risen to 3,000, supported by specialized programs and regulatory initiatives that empower national maritime capabilities, the SPA reported.

These efforts build on Saudi Arabia’s active role in the International Maritime Organization, advancing the maritime transport industry through a vision that goes beyond fleet development or regulatory modernization.

It includes creating an advanced global maritime system based on operational excellence, human capital investment, and cutting-edge technology for a promising, sustainable future.


Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Updated 12 July 2025
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Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail has attracted more than 27,000 visitors from the city, across the Kingdom, and from Gulf and international destinations.

Running from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. each evening, the 30-day Beit Hail Festival offers a rich blend of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse array of live performances and interactive heritage displays, recreating scenes from the past and presented by skilled male and female artisans.

Exhibits give younger generations a glimpse of how their ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, showcasing the ingenuity and authenticity of Saudi heritage.

More than 40 activities allow visitors to explore traditional crafts such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and distinctive Najdi and Hail door making.

Other highlights include traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making, the SPA added.

Visitors can also savor a variety of traditional folk foods. At the heart of the festival, an artistic theater hosts performances, including the Hail Samri and Saudi Ardah.

The festival also provides a platform for local craftspeople to showcase their work directly to the public.