Leading Saudi science, engineering students to compete in world fair

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Students 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. (SPA)
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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.


First group of Sudanese pilgrims arrives in Makkah

Updated 03 June 2024
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First group of Sudanese pilgrims arrives in Makkah

RIYADH: The first group of Sudanese pilgrims arrived in Makkah on Sunday for Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The 305 pilgrims, out of 8,000 Sudanese expected to perform the rituals, were received with gifts and roses upon their arrival.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able.

Sudan’s Hajj and Umrah official Mohammed Othman Al-Khalifa extended his thanks and appreciation to the Saudi leadership and people.

He commended the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s efforts to facilitate performing Hajj for the Sudanese people amid the crisis their country is going through.


Saudi foreign ministry official receives credentials of new Sri Lanka envoy

Updated 02 June 2024
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Saudi foreign ministry official receives credentials of new Sri Lanka envoy

Abdulmajeed Al-Samary, undersecretary of protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently received the credentials of Sri Lanka’s newly appointed ambassador to the Kingdom Omar Lee Ameer Ajwad on behalf of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji on Saturday took part in the inauguration ceremony for El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele in San Salvador, the Foreign Ministry reported on X.


Saudi FM arrives in Kuwait on official visit

Updated 02 June 2024
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Saudi FM arrives in Kuwait on official visit

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Kuwait on Sunday as part of an official visit to the country. 

He was greeted on arrival by his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya and the Kingdom’s ambassador to Kuwait Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khalid. 


British man’s love affair with all things Arabian

Updated 02 June 2024
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British man’s love affair with all things Arabian

  • Content creator says he has always believed ‘Saudi Arabia is the future’

RIYADH: A British man raised in the UAE is living the multicultural dream after embracing his love of Arab culture, as well as the beauty of Saudi Arabia’s language and heritage.

John Bin London, who has a global fanbase on TikTok, often shares videos of himself in traditional Saudi attire.

In one viral video, which currently has around 1.5 million views, he shows his coworkers trying Saudi coffee and eating dates. He teaches them to eat the date with their right hand followed by coffee poured from a traditional dallah into a finjan.

He has also used the social media platform to document his trips to the Kingdom, garnering a positive response from Arabs around the world.

Although London does not have an Arabian background, he is often mistaken for a Saudi national. He grew up in the UAE, interacting with locals and immersing himself in the traditional lifestyle.

A typical day with his friends would involve lounging with Arabic coffee, learning the language in the process. He would also pick up the cultural etiquette and mannerisms of those around him.

“My language was English, I couldn’t speak Arabic other than basic words that expats know, but my lifestyle was (such) that every day I was in the desert and my friends were all Bedouins,” he told Arab News.

London’s passion for Arab culture led him to teach himself the language and build his expertise in Qassimi Arabic, a sub-dialect of Najdi Arabic which is spoken in the Qassim region.

“I am someone who has been raised with multiple cultures and I have traveled the world, but the one that really influenced me are the people from Saudi Arabia,” he explained.

“I have been saying for years that Saudi Arabia is the future. This is partially due to leadership and partially to do with the people. Saudi people are extremely creative and think outside of the box.”

Discussing the positivity of Saudi hospitality and culture, he added: “When you know Saudis, you don’t see negative influence. They elevate us (westerners) in our identity, education, culture and mannerisms … I wish that Saudis could see what a positive impact they have on us and they should be proud of that.”

Through friends, YouTube videos, and books, London advanced his knowledge of the language. Within a few years he learned how to read and write Nabatean script, an ancient alphabet engraved in many parts of AlUla’s inscriptions.

“I have this thing where I have to understand everything to feel I understand something very simple,” he added.

During his first trip to the Kingdom in 2022, London regularly visited Diriyah, which is one of his favorite places, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site At-Turaif.

He said he had dreamed about going there for years. “I would drink my Arabic coffee and watch videos about Diriyah … once I arrived, I got my thobes tailored and the next day went,” he told Arab News.

“From the morning till the night, I am in Diriyah and At-Turaif exploring the place happily. I even Facetimed my mom and brother while I was there to show her the place.”

Although London is based in the UK, he supports Saudi fashion and coffee roasteries. During his Arab News interview, he wore a shirt by Saudi streetwear brand Not Boring which was among 30 brands featured during Riyadh Fashion Week.

“When you look at traditional culture like Saudi clothing and dress, the detail and jewelry that is put into everything is extremely creative, it has always been there,” he said.


51st Saudi relief plane for Gazans arrives in Egypt

The 51st Saudi relief plane carrying medical and shelter supplies for Gazans arrives in Egypt’s El-Arish International Airport.
Updated 02 June 2024
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51st Saudi relief plane for Gazans arrives in Egypt

  • The assistance is part of Saudi Arabia’s continuous support for the Palestinian people in times of crisis

RIYADH: The 51st Saudi relief plane carrying medical and shelter supplies for Gazans arrived in Egypt’s El-Arish International Airport on Sunday.

The aid will later be transported to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The plane was operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in coordination with the Ministry of Defense.

The assistance is part of Saudi Arabia’s continuous support for the Palestinian people in times of crisis.