KAIN welcomes 60 students as part of Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program

The King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, established by King Saud University, will welcome 60 “gifted students” on Sunday as part of the Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 June 2025
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KAIN welcomes 60 students as part of Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program

  • The program harnesses the potential of gifted students, offering them hands-on experience
  • Albrithen, general supervisor of KAIN, said the institute’s overarching goal is “to serve the community”

RIYADH: The King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, established by King Saud University, will welcome 60 “gifted students” on Sunday as part of the Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program, a four-week initiative aimed at developing scientific skills and research experience among Saudi youth, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Run in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), the program “harnesses the potential of gifted students, offering them hands-on experience in laboratories and production facilities, while introducing them to the fundamentals and ethics of scientific research under the supervision of specialized researchers,” the SPA wrote.

Hamad Abdulaziz Albrithen, general supervisor of KAIN, explained that the institute’s overarching goal is “to serve the community by transferring knowledge to younger generations through the use of advanced laboratory equipment and the expertise of distinguished researchers from diverse scientific disciplines.”

Ahmed bin Abdulkarim Al-Saleh, head of the Mawhiba program at KSU for 2025, highlighted the importance of such programs in providing exceptional students with the opportunity to conduct scientific research at KSU’s top-tier research chairs and centers.

Al-Saleh also noted that the program offers “a wide range of skill-building activities, including Python programming, AI and its scientific applications, as well as enrichment trips to research centers beyond the university campus.”


Najran’s camels are embedded in local culture and traditions

Camels are not only a vital livestock resource in Najran, but also a cornerstone of local identity and tradition. (SPA)
Updated 25 December 2025
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Najran’s camels are embedded in local culture and traditions

  • Several distinct camel breeds are found in the region
  • Animals permeate Arab consciousness, says expert

RIYADH: In Najran, camels are not only a vital livestock resource but also a cornerstone of local identity and tradition.

According to Hadi Benyan Al-Amer, head of Najran’s Camel Association, the region has several distinct camel breeds.

Principal among them is the Awarik, an ancient Arabian lineage linked to territories where arak trees flourish, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

These light-colored, sparsely-haired camels possess remarkable resilience, and are prevalent across southern Arabia.

The Majahim are characterized by dark hues spanning black to brown, and excel in both milk yield and endurance.

The Asayil are prized for their sleek, lean physiques, and dominate in speed-based competitions.

Al-Amer said traditional water sources known as Odood, or traditional water wells and artesian wells, have sustained herders navigating the Empty Quarter’s grazing lands for generations.

These permanent water points, equipped with dedicated drinking basins for camels, showcase the animals’ extraordinary environmental resilience.

Among the principal wells accessible from Najran are Al-Minkhali, Abu Shadid, Hamra Nathil, Tamani, Umm Al-Wahat, and Khujaima.

Countless additional wells dot the Empty Quarter and adjacent territories, forming the backbone of camel owners’ far-reaching pastoral networks.

Dr. Hind bint Dawood Al-Shuqair of Najran University’s Arabic Language Department explained how camels have permeated Arab consciousness through legends and stories spanning thousands of years.

Representing endurance, power, and grace, they have become inseparable from Arab cultural identity.

Archaeological evidence at Al-Ukhdood, Mount Al-Tharwa and Hima, preserves through carvings and ancient artwork the deep bond between people and camels, Al-Shuqair said.

She drew attention to Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment in camel heritage, exemplified by proclaiming 2024 as the Year of the Camel.

This designation emphasizes their importance to national prosperity and cultural heritage while backing global initiatives to promote awareness of camels as valuable economic and cultural assets.

The Kingdom further demonstrates its commitment to protecting the animals through the annual King Abdulaziz Festival, the SPA reported.