Meta announces metaverse academy in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy at LEAP23

Meta announced the launch of the first Metaverse Academy in the MENA region in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy and powered by Simplon, a French digital skills provider during the second edition of LEAP. (Supplied)
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Updated 08 February 2023
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Meta announces metaverse academy in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy at LEAP23

RIYADH: Meta has announced the launch of the first metaverse academy in the Middle East and North Africa region, in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy and Simplon, a French digital skills provider, at the second edition of LEAP in Riyadh.

Kojo Boakye, vice president of public policy for Meta in Africa, the Middle East, and Turkiye, told Arab News: “We have announced the launch of the first metaverse academy in this region.

“We think [it] will feed exactly into what this region is doing, sparking the development of the metaverse ecosystem, working with creators and developers, the builders of the metaverse, to ensure it comes to fruition.”

The academy will be based in Riyadh and will aim to support the region’s metaverse ecosystem through training programs.

Boakye added: “We have great hopes for the future, and we believe the academy, in partnership with Tuwaiq and Simplon, will help that.”

Faisal Al-Khamisi, chairman of Tuwaiq Academy, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative with Meta to establish the first metaverse academy in the MENA region.

“This partnership with Meta allows us to continue this mission and support the growth of the metaverse ecosystem by training and empowering the next generation of metaverse builders and leaders.”

The academy will launch a series of programs from May 1 that will equip students with the necessary skills to pursue a career in the growing metaverse.

Boakye said: “There’s a broad range of training, everything from a short course where you can just learn a little bit more about the metaverse, to a mid-level course that takes four to six weeks, to something in-depth where you can be training for eight to nine months to get the qualifications you need to add impacts to the work that’s being done.

“It’s the vision that we’re seeing in the region here in Saudi Arabia. The plan is to have one programmer for every 100 citizens.

“We are utterly convinced [by the project] when you look at the innovation and the ideas that are coming out from this region.

“We believe that this region and the builders here will affect the global spread and broad adoption of the metaverse, and that’s what we are aiming for.”

Boakye said that Meta had already encouraged developers, aspiring developers, and others interested in the metaverse to sign up for the program online.

He added: “If adoption of the metaverse were to grow in a similar way to the use of mobile technology, after 10 years it would contribute $360 billion, or 6.2 percent, to the GDP in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkiye.”


Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia are awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. SPA
Updated 11 sec ago
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Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

  • Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia were awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. 

Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji awarded the sashes on the directive of King Salman, SPA added. 


Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

Updated 17 March 2025
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Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

  • The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission

RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Academy (ZADC) was awarded a full institutional accreditation certificate on Sunday, with the support of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.

The recognition was granted during the inauguration ceremony of the academy’s new building on March 16.

The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to implement institutional accreditation processes.

The achievement underscored ZADC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in culinary education and training.

By equipping national talents with specialized skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The achievement also aligns with the broader efforts of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to ensure quality and excellence in education and training institutions across the Kingdom.


Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

Updated 21 min 2 sec ago
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Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

  • Several senior ministry officials attended

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Foreign Ministry hosted a gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions, regional offices, and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

The ministry hosted an iftar reception at its headquarters in Riyadh, and those attending, which included several senior ministry officials, exchanged Ramadan greetings and engaged in cordial discussions, enhancing communication with diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

 


Restoration for Jouf’s Al-Saidan Mosque in crown prince’s project

Updated 17 March 2025
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Restoration for Jouf’s Al-Saidan Mosque in crown prince’s project

  • Mosque is second oldest in region of northern Saudi Arabia
  • It will be expanded to accommodate 68 worshippers

RIYADH: The Al-Saidan Mosque is undergoing a restoration as part of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques.

The site is a significant landmark in Dumat Al-Jandal, the location of several battles in early Islamic history. It is the second oldest mosque in the Jouf region in northern Saudi Arabia, after the Omar bin Al-Khattab Mosque.

It is currently undergoing expansion and restoration as part of the project, which focuses on preserving historic sites in the Jouf region.

Its area is to be extended from 179 to 202 sq. meters to accommodate 68 worshippers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The mosque was constructed by the Saidan tribe and features the Aba Al-Jibal well and an elaborate staircase leading to the ablution area. It used to be a place for Friday prayers, a courthouse, and a school for Qur’anic studies.


Prophet’s Mosque’s AI-driven medical capsules enhance healthcare

Madinah Health Cluster has launched 2 smart medical capsules in northern central area of Prophet’s Mosque to enhance healthcare
Updated 17 March 2025
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Prophet’s Mosque’s AI-driven medical capsules enhance healthcare

  • Detect chronic diseases, conduct rapid tests, measure vital signs, perform electrocardiograms 

RIYADH: The Madinah Health Cluster has launched two smart medical capsules in the northern central area of the Prophet’s Mosque to enhance healthcare for visitors and pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The “Tabah and Tibabah” capsules use advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to detect chronic diseases, conduct rapid tests, measure vital signs, and perform electrocardiograms.

They are linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital for specialized support, according to the SPA.

The capsules expand healthcare services, complementing existing facilities including the Al-Salam Endowment and Al-Haram hospitals.

The capsules are operated during peak times by trained medical workers and serve over 576 patients daily. They reflect the collaboration between the government and private sector. 

Meanwhile, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority teams in Madinah transferred an emergency cardiac patient for treatment through their Cardiac Attacks pathway in 56 seconds.

Dr. Ahmed bin Ali Al-Zahrani, director of the authority’s regional branch, explained that the Medical Transfer Center received a call via the 997 hotline about a patient in his 60s experiencing severe chest pain at the Prophet’s Mosque.

An advanced care team that was dispatched performed an electrocardiogram and diagnosed an acute heart attack. This was communicated to the on-duty physician, who activated the Cardiac Attack pathway protocol.

The patient was transported to the Hayat National Hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab via a special route, where the medical team was ready for immediate intervention.

Al-Zahrani said the rapid response and coordination by the emergency teams helped prevent complications and led to a successful outcome for the patient.