Edtech platform sharpens Saudi children’s language portfolio

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Cindy Mi is an english teacher for 25 years who founded the online learning platform VIPKid a decade ago and brought the company to Saudi Arabia about two years ago. (AN photo by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub/Supplied)
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CEO of VIPKid, Cindy Mi. (AN Photo by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
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VIPKid also initiated a pilot training program for local English teachers in 2023 designed to simultaneously raise the bar for both proficiency and pedagogy, which concluded last month. (AN Photo by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
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VIPKid also initiated a pilot training program for local English teachers in 2023 designed to simultaneously raise the bar for both proficiency and pedagogy, which concluded last month. (AN Photo by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
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Updated 10 August 2024
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Edtech platform sharpens Saudi children’s language portfolio

  • Empowerment of youth a common thread between Saudi Arabia and China, says CEO

RIYADH: An online teaching platform is strengthening Saudi children’s educational journeys while also unleashing the potential of local and international educators.

Cindy Mi, an English teacher for 25 years who founded VIPKid a decade ago and brought the company to Saudi Arabia about two years ago, told Arab News: “I’ve always been a student and a teacher myself. The goal is to build a global classroom to allow more children to get access to best quality language learning educational experiences … so they can be ready for their more globalized future.”

Since its founding in 2013, VIPKid has helped more than 1 million children worldwide learn English and delivered over 280 million live online classes in English and Mandarin.




Cindy Mi is an english teacher for 25 years who founded the online learning platform VIPKid a decade ago and brought the company to Saudi Arabia about two years ago. (AN photo by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub/Supplied)

The CEO was inspired to expand the platform to the region after speaking on a Future Investment Initiative session about the future of education with Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar.

Reflecting on her discussion with Princess Reema, Mi said: “Her vision of empowering women and especially the youth of the Kingdom for the future was truly an inspiration.”

She added that Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to improve education was also part of the inspiration.

I can totally see so many women in the Kingdom, in the region, teach children around the globe and share the wonderful culture with the world.

Cindy Mi, VIPKid CEO

“We are very happy and honored to support the initiative by providing the children of the Kingdom with the highest quality language tutors from the US or from China, learning Mandarin Chinese and English, so that the children can be well prepared for the future.”

Over the years, VIPKid has built more than 10 core language-learning modules. It also offers over 1,800 supplemental elective classes for learning English and Mandarin.

VIPKid launched a pilot training program for local English teachers in 2023. It ended last month, and was designed to raise the standard for both proficiency and pedagogy.

Mi added that VIPKid’s multicultural programs allow experienced teachers from all over the world to meet with their Saudi counterparts in order to share best practices, improve subject matter competency and gain confidence in the classroom.

“We work with partners like government bodies, educational institutions and other tech companies so that we can help them launch similar programs, especially in the field of teacher training.”

In order to help students learn better at school, teachers also need to learn themselves, which requires investment, Mi said. “I think the Kingdom has invested a lot (in) teachers … it is very helpful for them to improve their language proficiency with a peer from other parts of the world.”

According to Mi, VIPKid’s classrooms are a safe space to make mistakes and teachers encourage students in ways that promote confidence. “That confidence would be the light in the learning,” she added. “It would be the lighthouse, and then the students would say, ‘Oh, I can do this. I can speak very confidently’.”

Noting the advancements and changes brought about by technology and artificial intelligence, Mi said that “the human part is always the most important.”

As a technology-dependent platform, the online institute has been able to create a more personalized learning experience for students with real-time feedback.

This has also opened up the prospect of AI teacher and student learning assistants, which allow both parties to identify improvement points through comprehensive analytical tools.

To improve the learning experience, VIPKid is leveraging its data to create an AI tutor who works with children to acquire the fundamentals of a language, such as phonetics, freeing up teachers to focus on more advanced topics.

“When it comes to technology, I think education can be affordable, accessible and personalized, that I think would unleash the potential of educators, but also truly be able to provide a high-quality learning experience for children across the globe,” she said.

Mi is also discussing the launch of Arabic tutoring programs with local partners: “There are so many children around the globe that are curious to learn the language, and also the many expats in the region … their children and family need to learn Arabic as well.”

She added that localizing further would benefit female teachers in the region by “the impact and income they can make.”

According to Mi, her experience in building a community of teachers with American, Canadian and Chinese teachers suggests that women tend to take up the profession more frequently: “I think women are equipped with the loving, passionate characteristics and personality to work with the kids.

“I can totally see so many women in the Kingdom, in the region, teach children around the globe and share the wonderful culture with the world.”

She added that “the empowerment of the youth for the future” is a common theme in China and Saudi Arabia.

“One thing I see VIPKid contributing is global educational resources and the teacher sources that can help children connect with the world and, at the same time, sharing our culture to the world as well,” she said.

 


Saudi embassy in US issues advisory to citizens on Hurricane Milton

Updated 09 October 2024
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Saudi embassy in US issues advisory to citizens on Hurricane Milton

  • US President urged residents to “evacuate now, now, now.”
  • Landfall is expected in the next 24 hours

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s embassy in the US issued an emergency advisory to Saudis in Florida and neighboring states as Hurricane Milton restrengthened to a Category 5 as it barreled toward the state on Tuesday.
The embassy asked Saudis to follow guidelines by state authorities in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
As of 3 a.m. Saudi time, the storm was more than 700 kilometers southwest of Tampa, with winds of 265 kph, and is expected to make landfall some time on Wednesday or Thursday.
Authorities have told millions to evacuate before it hits land as Milton is said to be the strongest storm in the Gulf of Mexico since 2005.
President Joe Biden, who postponed a foreign trip to Europe and Africa, also urged residents to flee what he said could be the worst natural disaster in the state for a century.
“It’s a matter of life and death, and that’s not hyperbole,” he said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed the Biden administration had provided all that he had asked for and said thousands of National Guard personnel will be activated to help during the crisis.
Last month Hurricane Helene, Category 4, hit the Big Bend region of Florida, killing more than 200 people and causing nearly $40 billion worth of damage. Helene was the deadliest to hit the US mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The embassy issued the following emergency numbers (202) 746-3555, (202) 746-0666, (202) 746-9777 and (202) 746-2888.


Archaeologists discuss latest findings from Al-Faw, Saudi Arabia’s newest World Heritage Site

Updated 09 October 2024
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Archaeologists discuss latest findings from Al-Faw, Saudi Arabia’s newest World Heritage Site

  • Delegates at international conference in Riyadh are told recent discoveries at the site have changed our understanding of ancient civilizations in the region
  • Addition in July of Al-Faw to UNESCO’s World Heritage List ‘confirms the importance of the site to the world,’ expert says

RIYADH: Experts gathered at an international conference in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss the latest historical secrets unearthed at Al-Faw archaeological site in Saudi Arabia, including information about the complex network of trade routes that intersected there and the cultural exchanges that took place.

The event, organized by the Saudi Heritage Commission, follows the addition in July of Al-Faw to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. It is the eighth location in the Kingdom to achieve this recognition.

Ajab Al-Otaibi, director of the commission’s Archaeological Documentation and Research department talked about the ways in which recent discoveries have changed our understanding of ancient civilizations in the region.

“The most recent excavations have revealed a complex network of trade routes and cultural exchanges that connected Al-Faw with other kingdoms in the Arabian Peninsula and beyond,” he said. 

“These findings have significantly reshaped our understanding of the social and economic dynamics in the region during ancient times.”

The discoveries offer fresh insights into trade and communication networks in the region at the time, and help to create a more comprehensive understanding of the communities that lived there, he added.

Noura Al-Khamees, general manager of the World Heritage Sector at the commission, welcomed the recognition of the site by UNESCO. 

“Having Al-Faw on UNESCO’s World Heritage List confirms the importance of the site to the world,” she said.

“Not only is it a testament to the great history and significance of the site but it’s a global recognition of the strong, Saudi-led management, conservation, protection, research and presentation of Al-Faw.”

One of the specific topics discussed during the conference was the rock art and inscriptions discovered at the site, which the experts said provide valuable insights into the lives of ancient inhabitants of Al-Faw. 

The attendees were invited to participate in field visits to the site to see for themselves the ongoing preservation efforts and experience the history it reveals.

Organizers said Al-Faw is more than simply an archaeological site, it is a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving and sharing its cultural heritage with the world.

Al-Faw is in Wadi Ad-Dawasir, about 700 kilometers southwest of Riyadh, at the intersection of the Empty Quarter desert and the Tuwaiq mountain range. It contains about 12,000 archaeological artifacts and has a history of human habitation stretching back more than 6,000 years.


15 years in jail for 2 expatriates guilty of SR22m financial fraud in Saudi Arabia

Updated 09 October 2024
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15 years in jail for 2 expatriates guilty of SR22m financial fraud in Saudi Arabia

  • The pair, who set up call centers from which they contacted victims while pretending to be government officials, were also fined a total of SR1.5m

RIYADH: Two expatriates convicted of financial fraud have each been jailed for 15 years in Saudi Arabia and fined a total of SR1.5 million ($400,000). They were found guilty of 177 crimes from which they amassed more than SR22 million.

Investigations revealed the pair organized a fraud operation that targeted victims inside and outside the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. They established call centers in several regions across the country, from which they contacted victims while pretending to be government officials.

A search of their residence revealed tablets, SIM cards, two high-tech telecoms devices for making fraudulent calls, and a control device that managed the entire operation.

One of the individuals was fined SR1 million and the other SR500,000. The court also ordered that their ill-gotten gains be seized, and they be deported after completing their sentences. Officials from the Public Prosecution worked to trace the illicit funds and froze them so that the money can be returned to the victims.

The Public Prosecution said it remains committed to investigating such crimes and taking action against anyone found to be involved in them, as efforts to combat financial fraud are a top priority to help protect the assets of citizens and residents.


Saudi crown prince reassures Cabinet about King Salman’s health

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. (SPA)
Updated 09 October 2024
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Saudi crown prince reassures Cabinet about King Salman’s health

  • Cabinet was briefed on regional and international developments, expressed support for the people of Palestine and Lebanon
  • It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities to maintain security and stability in the region

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reassured everybody about King Salman’s health during a Cabinet session on Tuesday.

The crown prince expressed appreciation for everyone who asked about the king’s health and prayed that God grant him a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, Cabinet ministers praised the objectives of the crown prince’s initiatives regarding protecting children in cyberspace and empowering women in the field of cybersecurity. Both initiatives were launched in 2020.

The crown prince recently highlighted the progress made by these initiatives at the Global Cybersecurity Forum held in Riyadh last week, saying that they empower decision-makers worldwide to develop cybersecurity policies and programs.

The Cabinet was also briefed on regional and international developments and expressed support for the people of Palestine and Lebanon. It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities to maintain security and stability in the region and implement United Nations resolutions.

The Cabinet welcomed the outcomes of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh Ministerial held in Washington at the end of September to mark the 10th anniversary of the coalition’s establishment. It reiterated the Kingdom’s position rejecting extremism and terrorism and its financing in all forms. 

The Cabinet also reviewed the Kingdom’s contributions to formulating appropriate policies and solutions to global economic challenges, and its emphasis on investing in sustainability and strengthening the multilateral trading system to support economic growth and human development and reduce economic risks.

The Cabinet said the Kingdom’s winning bid to host the International Association of Prosecutors conference in 2026 is a confirmation of its influential global position and significant role in promoting justice and establishing international judicial communication. The IAP announced that Saudi Arabia had secured the bid at the beginning of October. 


Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission vows to protect archeological sites against violators

Updated 08 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission vows to protect archeological sites against violators

  • Penalties for violations, including sticking advertisements, include hefty fines and imprisonment

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission stressed that it will stand firmly against people who tamper with archeological sites, taking legal measures against them and preventing any transgressions that pose a threat to the safety of the Kingdom’s heritage.

In the past week, the commission observed several violations of the antiquities and urban heritage regulations in Al-Wajh governorate in the Tabuk region and referred 23 expatriates to the relevant authorities.

The commission seeks to raise public awareness about Saudi Arabia’s archeological heritage. (SPA)

The Heritage Commission explained that the encroachments were observed on the Umm Qurayyat and Al-Arja sites in Al-Wajh, Tabuk.

The violators moved stones and soil from an archeological site, it noted, adding that authorities will take legal measures against them.

HIGHLIGHT

The Heritage Commission outlined the penalties for vandalism and attacks on heritage sites, as stipulated in Articles 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 and 77 of the Antiquities and Urban Heritage Law.

The commission noted that it arrested numerous individuals who were involved in similar violations and investigations are underway in accordance with the applicable legal procedures.

The commission seeks to raise public awareness about Saudi Arabia’s archeological heritage. (SPA)

In its statement to Arab News, it emphasized that its mission is to protect and effectively manage the Kingdom’s cultural wealth and archaeological sites, by enforcing laws and regulations that ensure the protection of these sites.

The commission also seeks to raise local communities’ awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage as an integral part of the nation’s historical identity.

The commission seeks to raise local communities’ awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage as an integral part of the nation’s historical identity. (SPA)

The Heritage Commission outlined the penalties for vandalism and attacks on heritage sites, as stipulated in Articles 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 and 77 of the Antiquities and Urban Heritage Law.

According to these regulations, anyone who illegally appropriates an antiquity belonging to the state faces imprisonment for a period ranging from six months to seven years, and fines of between SR50,000 ($13,300) and SR500,000.

The commission seeks to raise public awareness about Saudi Arabia’s archeological heritage. (SPA)

In addition, the articles stipulate that anyone who violates a monument, archeological site or urban heritage site by destroying, altering, removing, excavating, damaging and changing its features, can be punished with imprisonment for a period ranging from three months to three years, and a fine between SR20,000 and SR300,0000.

The commission added in its statement: “Anyone who surveys or excavates antiquities without a license faces imprisonment for a period of not more than two years and a fine of not more than SR200,000 or with one of these two punishments.

The commission seeks to raise public awareness about Saudi Arabia’s archeological heritage. (SPA)

“Similar penalties apply to anyone who imitates or falsifies antiquity or performs any of the total or partial demolition works within the boundaries of antiquities and urban heritage sites, or builds on them, without obtaining approval from the ministry.”

It indicated that anyone who modifies a building or an urban heritage site, makes a modification in the surrounding environment that damages it without taking the ministry's approval or moves rubble, stones, or soil from monuments and urban heritage sites without the ministry’s approval, faces imprisonment for not more than a year and a fine not exceeding SR100,000 or one of these two penalties.

Similar sanctions apply to anyone who throws rubble or waste, defaces a monument or urban heritage by writing, painting, engraving, sticking advertisements on it, or committing arson in monuments and urban heritage sites.