Mawhiba, Jeddah university to train gifted students

The MoU signed by the university’s vice president, Hana Abdullah Ali Al-Nuaim, and Mawhiba’s secretary-general, Amal Al-Hazzaa in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Updated 17 January 2023
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Mawhiba, Jeddah university to train gifted students

  • The two parties will be involved in several other programs for students, targeting research development skills, leadership skills, and specialized programs for the candidates of the olympiad’s advanced stages

JEDDAH: The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) recently signed a memorandum of cooperation with King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.

The deal is aimed at offering joint quality programs for gifted students, disseminating talent and innovation in society, and raising the level of gifted students’ discovery and sponsorship.

Inked by the university’s vice president, Hana Abdullah Ali Al-Nuaim, and Mawhiba’s secretary-general, Amal Al-Hazzaa, the accord included areas of cooperation and exchange of experiences.

It stipulated Mawhiba’s identification of students who meet the standards and conditions for admission to the university’s dual-study program.

And it also stated that the university would host Mawhiba’s enrichment, academic, and research programs, organized by the foundation in accordance with best international practices. Mawhiba will provide training sessions on how to design, manage, and assess these enrichment programs.

In addition, the memorandum required the university’s support in the development of the partnership program with schools. The program, implemented by Mawhiba, offers training sessions for teachers and supervisors in several fields, including the use of technology, discussion methods, evaluation skills and techniques, technical counselling, management development, and leadership skills.

The two parties will be involved in several other programs for students, targeting research development skills, leadership skills, and specialized programs for the candidates of the olympiad’s advanced stages.

The partnership is designed to help them undertake leading and influential social roles, and cooperate in competitions, exhibitions, and events that Mawhiba organizes or participates in.

The cooperation agreement will also include the exchange of expertise and knowledge between Mawhiba and King Abdulaziz University’s members in the academic, research, and professional fields, with the objective of having a generation of youth creative in the areas of science and technology.


Red Sea Global unveils scientific model for regenerative tourism worldwide

Updated 26 February 2026
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Red Sea Global unveils scientific model for regenerative tourism worldwide

  • The report details the model’s rollout at “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA” destinations, backed by studies covering 8 marine habitats

TABUK: Red Sea Global (RSG) has unveiled a science-based model aimed at achieving a 30 percent net positive conservation benefit across its tourism destinations by 2040. 

The framework is now available for global adoption, according to a statement released by RSG.

Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Red Sea Global is the multi-project developer behind ambitious regenerative tourism destinations like “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA.” 

As a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the company aims to diversify the national economy while setting new global benchmarks for sustainable, nature-positive development.

CEO John Pagano stated that openly sharing this detailed approach will help elevate the global tourism sector and secure a healthier environment for future generations.
 

Map showing the boundaries of the Red Sea Zone. (Graphic from the RSG report)

The cornerstone of this initiative is the proprietary SIIG Model, a four-step framework:
• Survey: Establish biodiversity baselines and monitor long-term changes.
• Identify: Assess risks to priority habitats and species.
• Intervene: Execute evidence-based actions, such as regulating fishing and enhancing natural habitats.
• Gain: Measure and verify biodiversity improvements.

The report details the model’s rollout at “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA” destinations, backed by extensive 2022–2023 environmental baseline studies covering eight marine habitats and priority species groups during 2022 and 2023. 

A major intervention is the 5,015-square-kilometer Fishery Management Area in Al-Wajh Lagoon. The plan reserves 38 percent of the area for priority conservation—protecting 62 percent of local coral reefs—while allocating 61 percent for sustainable fishing.

According to scientific modeling, eliminating fishing in high-protection zones could increase reef fish populations by 113 percent, sharks and rays by 72 percent, and marine mammals by 24 percent. These measures are expected to boost coral resilience, support ecosystem recovery, and protect vulnerable species like sea turtles and seabirds.
Ihab Kindi, RSG’s Red Sea Destination Executive Director, called the data-driven model a practical roadmap for large-scale marine recovery. The complete methodology is available in the new report, “The SIIG Model: A Roadmap Toward Achieving Measurable Conservation Gains.”