LuLu Walkathon celebrates Saudi Founding Day

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The three-km walk held at the New Corniche in Alkhobar attracted a large number of participants.
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Updated 27 February 2025
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LuLu Walkathon celebrates Saudi Founding Day

LuLu Saudi Hypermarket hosted LuLu Walkathon on Feb. 15 to commemorate Saudi Founding Day. 

The event, held at the picturesque New Corniche in Alkhobar, was a vibrant gathering that not only celebrated a significant national occasion but also emphasized the importance of sustainable development as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s future. 

The three-kilometer walk took place under the patronage of the Ministry of Sports and Alkhobar Municipality attracted a diverse group of passionate participants, with a focus on promoting health and honoring the rich national heritage. 

With 2025 being designated as the “Year of Handicrafts,” the Walkathon mascot was Saaf—a mat symbolizing the Kingdom's heritage and the vision of promoting handicraft, which became a crowd favorite, offering an engaging photo opportunity.

The walk was officially launched by Tariq Al Qahtani from the Ministry of Sports, who marked the occasion with the ceremonial firing of the racing pistol. 

The flag off not only added energy to the event but also inspired the participants, motivating them to embrace fitness and resilience.

The festivities were further enriched by a captivating Ardah performance, paying tribute to the Kingdom's cultural heritage, and a Sea Show and Sway Pole Dance that added a fun, recreational element to the proceedings. 

The event was made possible through the generous support of key sponsors and partners.

"We are extremely proud to have organized such a significant event, the Lulu Walkathon, on Saudi National Day, which not only promotes fitness and resilience but also reinforces our commitment to sustainable development," said Yusuffali M.A, chairman of Lulu Group.

Prominent sponsors included MasterCard and Nestlé, while PVM (Mentos) served as the refreshment partner. 

The safety and well-being of attendees were assured through the collaboration with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and RPM.

 The event also enjoyed media coverage, thanks to Radio Mirchi as the Radio Partner and Faden Media and Alyaum as Media Partners. Special mention must also be made of Al Qadsiyah, the esteemed football club, whose participation added excitement to the occasion. 

The LuLu Walkathon 2025 was an excellent platform for LuLu Hypermarket to underscore its commitment to sustainability. 

Participants were provided with comprehensive kits and goodie bags that included T-shirts, caps, wristbands, and water — all courtesy of LuLu Hypermarket. 

The event route, managed by LuLu staff, ensured a seamless experience for all. Attendees were encouraged to share their thoughts on Saudi Handicrafts and their experiences with Saaf on social media using the hashtag #LuLu_Khobar_Walkathon, with the most popular post receiving a special prize.

Alongside the walk, attendees enjoyed an array of food and beverages from dedicated refreshment stalls. The event concluded with an exciting raffle draw, offering a range of prizes, including the Samsung S25 Ultra,  health tracking bands, bicycles, and other unique accessories.

Other prominent names from Lulu Management who attended the event included Shemim Mohammed, director of Lulu KSA; Muhammad Ahmad Abdul Jalil Bubushait, executive manager; Zaid Al Subaie, administration manager; and Moiz Nuruddin- regional director Eastern Province; and Hatim Mustansir, regional director of Central Province.

  

 


Schneider Electric launches academy in Saudi Arabia to build future-ready talent

Updated 04 February 2026
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Schneider Electric launches academy in Saudi Arabia to build future-ready talent

Schneider Electric has announced the launch of the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa in Saudi Arabia, a regional capability platform dedicated to skilling, upskilling, and knowledge sharing.

The launch comes at a critical moment as the Kingdom accelerates energy transition, industrial localization, and human capability development under Vision 2030. The academy reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership role in building future-ready talent while supporting industrial and energy transformation across the wider Middle East and Africa region.

The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is not a traditional training center; it is a regional platform translating Schneider Electric’s global energy technology expertise into applied capability for Saudi Arabia and the broader region. Anchored in Riyadh, the academy is designed to serve as a benchmark for skills development and enablement across the MEA.

The launch reflects Schneider Electric’s long-term commitment to investing in people and capabilities, and to supporting national priorities across energy, industry, and digital infrastructure.

Mohamed Shaheen, cluster president of Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia and Yemen, said: “This launch reflects our long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia and to building capability that lasts. After more than 40 years in the Kingdom, we continue to invest where impact matters most: in people. Launching the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa from Riyadh underscores our belief that sustainable transformation is built on local capability and trusted partnerships.”

The academy directly supports Saudi Arabia’s focus on human capability development, localization, and Saudi-made outcomes by enabling the skills behind advanced energy systems, industrial automation, and digital infrastructure. Capabilities developed through the academy will support Saudi manufacturing, national projects, and resilient supply chains, while also strengthening regional industrial ecosystems.

“The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is designed to enable real outcomes,” said Walid Sheta, zone president for the MEA at Schneider Electric. “By equipping talent with future-ready skills across electrification, automation, and digital intelligence, we are strengthening Saudi and regional capability to design, operate, and lead the energy and industrial systems of the future.”

The launch event in Riyadh brought together senior government representatives, industry partners, customers, and Schneider Electric’s leadership, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in aligning education, skills development, and labor market needs.

Designed as a long-term platform, the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa will continue to evolve through partnerships, programs, and continuous capability development, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional hub for skills, knowledge, and industrial enablement.