Saudi engineer teaches Arabic to children, refugees in Europe

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Mohammed Al-Taweelie, who has work experience in Germany, said that he observed a lack of Arabic language content and fluency among the Arab community and refugee children in the West. (Supplied)
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The Arabic stories are written in various categories for age groups 6-8 years and 9-12 years. (Supplied)
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Updated 07 August 2024
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Saudi engineer teaches Arabic to children, refugees in Europe

MAKKAH: A Saudi engineer is helping Arab children and refugees in the West connect with their culture and roots through Arabic language lessons.

Mohammed Al-Taweelie, who has work experience in Germany, said that he observed a lack of Arabic language content and fluency among the Arab community and refugee children in the West.

It led him to launch Daad with personal funding. The initiative provides storytelling and learning activities for children through their online database. “This project has produced over 140 high-quality Arabic stories with audio and video available for free,” he told Arab News.

The Arabic stories are written in various categories for age groups 6-8 years and 9-12 years.

Dadd has officially been registered as a voluntary, nonprofit organization in Germany, he said.

Al-Taweelie said that the initiative’s purpose was “to enhance Arabic electronic content in Europe, aiming to enrich Arabic content and address its deficiencies in various fields of knowledge. The initiative included programs and competitions for students, resulting in over 50 million visits to scientific articles.”

Saudi students have done remarkably well abroad, he said. Speaking about activities he had been involved in, he said: “I founded several student clubs to support foreign and German students. I gained the trust of students at the Technical University of Dortmund, where I was elected by the university’s students in many associations.”

Al-Taweelie also served as a spokesperson for foreign students and students of the faculty of electrical engineering and communication at the university, as well as for the Student Relief and Support Fund at the Technical University of Dortmund.

He was honored by the Saudi Embassy in Berlin and twice received a distinction award from the Saudi Cultural Mission in Germany because, beyond his contributions at university, he also volunteered to work with the city of Dortmund through volunteer and social responsibility programs, especially refugee support programs.

Al-Taweelie, who studied at Al-Jazeera High School in Tabuk, has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in electrical and communications engineering, specializing in robotics and automotive technology. His research at the Technical University of Dortmund focused on artificial intelligence.


GCC and EU ‘must work together’ on regional stability, envoy says ahead of inaugural joint summit

Updated 10 October 2024
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GCC and EU ‘must work together’ on regional stability, envoy says ahead of inaugural joint summit

  • The EU’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman is ‘convinced that on both Lebanon and on Palestine the GCC and EU can find a common language’
  • Christophe Farnaud was participating in a discussion event in Brussels in the run-up to the first GCC-EU Summit on Oct. 16

RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council and the EU need to work together in an attempt to improve stability in the Arab region, the EU’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, Christophe Farnaud said.

Speaking during a roundtable discussion ahead of the inaugural GCC-EU Summit in Brussels on Oct. 16, he cited the conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan and Yemen, and Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, as causes for concern and added: “We have to work together for the stability of the region … we have to work together to promote diplomacy and stability and negotiate solutions to the current crises of the region.

“This will be among the topics that will be broached among the leaders, especially since we are now in a time of very high level of tension and suffering among the people of the region. We all think of Palestine but there is also Lebanon, there is also the risk that we see on the Red Sea (and) in Sudan.

“I’m convinced that on both Lebanon and on Palestine the GCC and EU can find a common language.”

Farnaud said the organizations’ first joint summit will also address a wide range of other topics, including trade, innovation, education and people-to-people relations, in the hope of further strengthening relations and advancing shared interests.

Asked by Arab News how the GCC and EU might work together in an effort to enhance stability and security in the region, the envoy said a “key point” is adoption of “common language.”

He added: “I’m quite optimistic that there will be common talk and common language on Palestine, on Lebanon, on other topics like that, which I think is really needed at the moment. If one state speaks just for itself, it’s interesting but it gives less weight. If all the Europeans and all the GCC countries speak in one voice, it gives more weight to what we have.

“We are at a time when divisions are the worst thing possible, if you want to pass strong messages to the parties, and I think it is necessary now that we have to speak in one voice. If you have all European leaders and all Gulf country leaders speaking in one voice, I think it will make a difference.

“Speaking in one voice and having a clear vision of where we want to go, I think will be very important. What I think is important is that there is an exchange among (the GCC and EU). When you’re at such a high level it’s important that you can exchange and share how you see things and then we will see what kind of common language they have.”

Farnaud said the leaders of member nations of both blocs “will meet, they will talk and they will adopt final conclusions” on topics addressed during the summit.

This year, EU member countries Slovenia, Spain and Ireland officially recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, as did non-member Norway. On the question of whether other EU member states might follow suit, the ambassador said: “On Palestine, the position of the EU, the core position of the EU, is more united than what people think at times,” especially in terms of “working on the long-term political solution, when looking to the Palestinian state, with the two-state solution.”

But he added that it is difficult to say if and when other EU countries will choose to officially recognize Palestine.

“As you know, the principle is accepted by all member states, the only question is the timing,” Farnaud said. “Some have decided to do it already, a significant number, the others want to do it when they consider it to be the most efficient time.”

During the summit, leaders are expected to build upon existing GCC-EU economic, trade and investment cooperation.

“Currently the European Union is the biggest partner of the GCC; in 2023 the trade exchanges reached €170 billion ($186 billion) between GCC and Europe,” Farnaud said.

“They will talk about topics that are key for the future: facing global challenges like climate change, sustainable development, energy transition. All these topics are topics that we have to face together.”

He added that there are a number of fields in which he believes the GCC and EU can work together more effectively, including innovation, education, and health.

The ambassador also discussed the possibility of a Schengen-style arrangement for visa-free travel between GCC and EU countries: “The EU as well as the member states of the GCC share an interest in going further (on the issue). The goal remains, at some point, but it is difficult now to say when. We should keep working on the possibility of a visa-free arrangement between the Schengen area and GCC countries.”

Farnaud highlighted the historical relationship between the GCC and EU, referencing in particular the 1988 agreement that provided the framework for economic and political cooperation between member states of both organizations.

“The relations are not new,” he said. “But since we have shared interests and close relations we have to go further.”

He pointed out that the inaugural summit next week is a result of a GCC-EU ministerial council meeting that took place in Muscat, Oman, on Oct. 10 last year.

“During that meeting … it was after the Hamas attack and the Israel offensive, it was decided that there should be a meeting between the GCC and the EU,” Farnaud said.

During that meeting, he added, discussions also took place on ways to boost cooperation and exchange experience and knowledge in the fields of trade, investment, renewable energy, climate change, cybersecurity and green hydrogen.


KAUST to host Times Higher Education World Academic Summit 2025

Updated 10 October 2024
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KAUST to host Times Higher Education World Academic Summit 2025

  • Event will be held under the theme ‘Universities as Agents of Progress’
  • KAUST’s selection as host underscores its status as a leading hub for higher education in the region

THUWAL: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology will host the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit in 2025.

It will be first time the summit is held in the Middle East, recognizing the significant contributions of the Kingdom and KAUST to the global academic community.

Scheduled for Oct. 7-9 next year, the three-day summit will be held under the theme “Universities as Agents of Progress.”

This focus aligns with the transformative dynamics underpinning Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, with KAUST playing a pivotal role in driving progress not only within the Kingdom, but also on a global scale.

The host announcement was made by Prof. Edward Byrne, president of KAUST, during his closing remarks at this year’s World Academic Summit hosted by the University of Manchester.

“We are honored to welcome global leaders in higher education to KAUST for this prestigious summit, which routinely strengthens the cooperative spirit within academia, focusing on making strategic, impactful contributions to global challenges,” Byrne said.

“Building on the success of this year’s event, we will continue the tradition of cultivating collaboration and driving global change. This milestone underscores the rising recognition of the role that Saudi Arabia can play in building a future for higher education where universities worldwide understand their potential influence for good,” he added.

In alignment with KAUST’s commitment to cultural engagement and as a demonstration of Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, the summit will offer a variety of activities that highlight the Kingdom’s natural beauty and cultural depth.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the Red Sea through snorkeling and diving excursions, experience heritage tours of Jeddah and visit transformative projects like NEOM.

Phil Baty, chief global affairs officer of Times Higher Education, said: “The 2025 World Academic Summit will bring together leaders in higher education to engage with the industry’s most pressing issues.

“Together, the community will explore opportunities for innovation and commercialization, outline strategies to shape the next generation of leaders and collaborate to make a meaningful impact on lives around the world.”


New ‘Dragon Ball’ game is boost for Saudi theme park

Updated 09 October 2024
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New ‘Dragon Ball’ game is boost for Saudi theme park

  • Legendary manga franchise by Japanese artist has spawned countless anime series and films

RIYADH: Manga fans are eagerly awaiting the launch on Friday of the latest “Dragon Ball” video game, the first since the death in March of Akira Toriyama, the legendary Japanese artist who created the series 40 years ago.

Among them are leisure chiefs at Qiddiya, the entertainment and tourism project being built near Riyadh, who revealed plans this year for a massive “Dragon Ball” theme park.

“Dragon Ball” recounts the adventures of a monkey-tailed boy called Son Goku through fantastical universes. Over more than 500 chapters, the hero with spiky black hair fights otherworldly enemies in his quest to find seven mystical dragon balls. It is one of the bestselling manga franchises of all time, spawning countless anime series, films and video games.
The new game, “Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO,” will feature a record 182 characters doing battle.
A new animated series, “Dragon Ball Daima,” will also be released to mark the 40th anniversary of the franchise.
The Saudi “Dragon Ball” attraction, the Kingdom’s first theme park, will cover more than half a million square meters with at least 30 rides, including a roller coaster inside a dragon modeled on Shenron, a wish-giving dragon that features in the franchise.


Saudi Arabia launches insurance policy to protect expatriate workers

Updated 09 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia launches insurance policy to protect expatriate workers

  • Authorities to enforce penalties for employers who fail to meet their obligations, official says

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Insurance Authority have launched an insurance service that will cover unpaid wages for up to six months and provide travel assistance for expatriates in the Kingdom in the case of private sector defaults.

Director general of international communications and cooperation, Abdulrahman Al-Zaid, told Arab News: “The Expatriate Worker Wage Insurance Service for Private Sector Defaults is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to protect both workers and employers, while enhancing the overall efficiency and appeal of the Saudi labor market.

“The initiative is designed to create a more secure labor environment, making Saudi Arabia a leading hub for international talent.”

The service covers specific benefits as outlined in the policy, allowing foreign workers in defaulting companies to receive their entitlements — within the financial limits of the policy — and provide a plane ticket to return to their home country, if they wish to do so, within the policy’s financial limits, he said.

Insurance is part of a package of measures introduced by the ministry to safeguard the rights of employers and employees.

Al-Zaid explained how the insurance policy works for the benefit of the expatriates: “In rare cases when wages are not fulfilled, this insurance service will cover unpaid wages and entitlements for up to six months, with a maximum compensation payout of SR17,500 ($4,661) provided the combined rights of all workers do not exceed the overall insurance coverage limit for the company.”

But this payout is contingent on 80 percent or more of the workers in the establishment not having received their wages or entitlements, per the ministry’s regulations.

The initiative is part of the ministry’s commitment to creating a fair and secure labor environment for employers and employees.
 
Affected workers who wish to return to their home countries will be provided with a travel ticket, with cover up to SR1,000 ($266).
 
Al-Zaid said a worker is entitled to a return ticket to their home country “if they wish to leave the country directly without transferring their services to another company and can provide proof of completing all necessary procedures for departure, such as obtaining an exit visa and proof of a travel booking to their home country.”

Private sector employees wishing to apply for the insurance policy can submit claims through the designated insurance company responsible for handling compensation claims.

The ministry will oversee the process to ensure compliance and smooth execution of the service.
 
The introduction of this service does not absolve employers of their responsibilities, and they will still be fully responsible for meeting their wage obligations.

“The ministry will continue to enforce strict measures, including penalties for employers who deliberately fail to meet their obligations,” Al-Zaid added. 
 
Abdul Ghaffar is an expat, originally from India, who has been living in the Kingdom for the past 24 years working as a senior consultant in talent development.

When asked if he had ever been affected by a company defaulting in Saudi Arabia, Ghaffar said: “I have never personally witnessed any instances where companies defaulted on paying my salary. But one of my close friends, who worked for a private construction company, was facing financial difficulties.

“The company delayed salaries for several months, causing significant stress for him and his family. It becomes very critical, especially (for) expatriates who rely on timely wages to support their families back home.”

He said that the situation was resolved but it took months for the individual’s account settlement and exit process. The case highlighted the vulnerability that expatriate workers face in such circumstances, he added.

The ministry and the Insurance Authority's new policy aims to protect expatriates from vulnerabilities such as these.

“I believe the new wage insurance policy is a positive step forward. It shows that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is taking the necessary steps to protect expatriates working in Saudi Arabia,” Ghaffar said. “This policy will not only provide financial relief to workers impacted by company defaults but also create a more secure and attractive environment for expatriates considering working in the Kingdom.”

Ghaffar said of the new policy that the “travel ticket assistance also reflects the ministry’s understanding of the needs of expatriates who might want to return home in such situations.”

He said he believes the new initiative will “enhance Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a fair and competitive destination for international talent.”

The insurance cover for eligible workers began on Oct. 6, 2024. 


Saudi deputy foreign minister and Spanish official chair third round of political consultations

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji receives Spanish official Diego Martinez Belio. (SPA)
Updated 09 October 2024
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Saudi deputy foreign minister and Spanish official chair third round of political consultations

  • During the consultations, ways to enhance Saudi-Spanish relations in various fields and enhancing coordination on issues of common interest were discussed

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji and Spanish State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs Diego Martinez Belio chaired the third round of political consultations between their countries on Wednesday.

During the consultations, ways to enhance Saudi-Spanish relations in various fields and enhancing coordination on issues of common interest were discussed.

The session of consultations was attended by the Kingdom’s ambassador to Spain Princess Haifa bint Abdulaziz Al-Muqrin.