Education minister opens Saudi Arabia’s first technical high school for gifted boys

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Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan inaugurates the Technological High School for Gifted Boys at Tuwaiq Academy in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan inaugurates the Technological High School for Gifted Boys at Tuwaiq Academy in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan inaugurates the Technological High School for Gifted Boys at Tuwaiq Academy in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan inaugurates the Technological High School for Gifted Boys at Tuwaiq Academy in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Updated 25 December 2024
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Education minister opens Saudi Arabia’s first technical high school for gifted boys

  • Students will engage in advanced technical projects, research and specialized training programs

RIYADH: Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan inaugurated the Technological High School for Gifted Boys at Tuwaiq Academy in Riyadh, the first government school in the Kingdom specializing in technology.

The event was attended by Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha, Tuwaiq Academy Chairman Faisal Al-Khamisi, and other educational and technical leaders.

The school follows a pioneering global model aimed at developing the technological skills and capabilities of students, empowering them to build and innovate groundbreaking projects.

It also focuses on learning and scientific research, preparing students for local and international technological specializations.

By keeping pace with future advancements, the school enhances the Kingdom’s technological education standards. Students from the school will also represent Saudi Arabia in regional and international competitions and exhibitions.

“Technology has become fundamental to daily life and is an essential tool for navigating the future,” said Naif bin Abed Al-Zari, Riyadh’s education director, highlighting the Ministry of Education’s partnership with Tuwaiq Academy.

Abdulaziz Al-Hammadi, CEO of Tuwaiq Academy, called the partnership a cornerstone for advancing technical education.

The new educational establishment focuses on nurturing future talent through an immersive, application-based curriculum complemented by global certifications in specialized programs.

Al-Hammadi said that students at the school have earned more than 120 professional certifications from major global companies in the first semester of operations alone.

During their visit, the two ministers toured the technical school and academy facilities, observing programs, bootcamps and activities while interacting with students to assess the learning environment.

The school offers specialized programs in programming, cybersecurity, digital manufacturing, data science and other fields.

It will prepare students for major competitions like the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Competition and Exhibition, and the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence, showcasing Saudi talent in a range of technical fields.


Children’s Theater Festival opens in Qassim region

Updated 27 January 2026
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Children’s Theater Festival opens in Qassim region

  • To develop future ‘cultural architects,’ says CEO Khaled Al-Baz
  • ‘Nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and sense of belonging’

BURAIDAH: The Qassim Children’s Theater Festival opened on Tuesday bringing together professionals from across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.

The event is being held under the patronage of Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, governor of Qassim, at the Science Center in Unaizah governorate.

It has been Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Association and executed by the Unaizah Theater Association, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Running until Jan. 31, it features shows, panel discussions, as well as training workshops to develop children’s theater and strengthen professional skills in the field.

Khaled Al-Baz, CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Association, told the SPA the festival forms part of a broader strategy to position children’s theater as a distinct cultural sector.

“Children today constitute genuine audiences — tomorrow’s cultural architects,” Al-Baz said.

Ahmed Al-Humaimidi, president of the Unaizah Theater Association, said it was an investment in young people, noting that it extends beyond performances to include cultural and educational programming.

He said the initiative aims to nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and a sense of belonging, while also identifying emerging talent and encouraging knowledge exchange among theater practitioners.

“Our association recognizes children’s theater as foundational to cultivating aware, creative character,” he said.

The festival serves as both an artistic showcase and a platform for professional dialogue, reflecting the Kingdom’s expanding cultural landscape and growing focus on children’s theater as an educational and cultural tool, the SPA noted.

This occurs alongside support for signature initiatives and performing arts promotion as quality-of-life enhancement.