Saudi Infrastructure Expo attracts global innovators to Riyadh 

Held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, the event commenced on Monday and will run until Sept. 12. Photo/Supplied
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Updated 11 September 2023
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Saudi Infrastructure Expo attracts global innovators to Riyadh 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s trillion-dollar pipeline of infrastructure projects have attracted over 275 companies from 20 countries to Riyadh to showcase their products, services, and innovative solutions at the Saudi Infrastructure Expo.  

The event, co-located with the Saudi Infrastructure Summit, is organized by the Saudi Contractors Authority and dmg events, under the patronage of the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail.   

Held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, the event commenced on Monday and will run until Sept. 12, with the expo concluding a day later.   

The expo has brought together leading local and international exhibitors for three days to present products and innovative solutions aimed at reshaping the Kingdom’s infrastructure landscape.     

This year’s edition includes eight country pavilions, featuring Egypt, China, the UAE, Qatar, Italy, Turkiye, Germany, and India.     

The first day of the summit saw some of the participants discussing a number of issues including supporting infrastructure development through smart investment decisions, driving sustainable growth and innovation, bridging gaps in the sector, as well as driving net zero and circularity, and accelerating delivery and innovation. 

Among the speakers on the first day were Asaad Al-Asaad, conference chairperson, Saudi Infrastructure Expo; Zakaria bin Abdulrahman Al-Abdulqader, chairman of the board of directors, SCA, and Sultan bin Hussein Al-Mashhour, deputy minister for projects at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.

Also present were Badr Abdullah Al-Dulami, deputy minister for road affairs in the Ministry of Transport, Greg Djerejian, group head of investments and legal at Red Sea Global, and Ahmad Mohammad Al-Otaibi, director of basic services provider at the projects unit of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, also known as MODON.  

"The Saudi Infrastructure Expo serves as a hub where both local and international exhibitors unite to present cutting-edge infrastructure products, services, and expertise,” said Muhammed Kazi, vice president for construction at dmg events.  

He went on to say that the event facilitates invaluable interactions with industry experts, fostering international participation while also providing a platform for local companies to showcase their capabilities.   

“In this fully sold-out gathering, we’ve successfully harnessed the strengths of every participating country, creating a unique showcase of innovation and collaboration,” Kazi added.  

Meanwhile, the Saudi Infrastructure Expo will offer attendees the opportunity to gain knowledge and practical insights on topics such as creating suitable smart city infrastructure model by leveraging smart technologies, adaption of BIM in the changing role of quantity surveying, metrology and measurement in Saudi quality infrastructure, and others.    

Saudi Infrastructure Expo is supported by SCA as the contracting sector regulator.  

Commenting on its association with the event, Abdulmajid Al-Rashoudi, governor of SCA, said that his authority is dedicated to enhancing the Kingdom’s contracting industry, fostering investment, and facilitating networking through numerous events and conferences.  

“The Saudi Infrastructure Expo provides various opportunities for innovation and investment in the sector, as well as promotes knowledge sharing, and partnership-building among contractors, stakeholders, and companies, bolstering the national economy’s growth,” he explained.  


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.