EtonHouse debuts in KSA with two Riyadh campuses

At EtonHouse’s international school, older students will benefit from expanded facilities that include a swimming pool, a science lab, and an outdoor football field.
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Updated 07 July 2025
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EtonHouse debuts in KSA with two Riyadh campuses

The Singapore-headquartered EtonHouse International Education Group has expanded into Saudi Arabia with the launch of EtonHouse International Education Arabia.

In partnership with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, it will launch two purpose-built campuses in Granada, Riyadh in September.

The first school is EtonHouse International Pre-School, a Reggio Emilia-inspired bilingual preschool for children aged 18 months to six years, designed to nurture early curiosity through inquiry and play.

The second is a K–12 international school offering a full academic pathway through to IGCSEs and A-Levels, built to support long-term, future-ready learning.

The campuses represent a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s education transformation, being the first Reggio Emilia-inspired schools, bringing world-renowned pedagogies, bilingual immersion, and community-focused design into a local context deeply aligned with Saudi cultural values and Vision 2030.

EtonHouse’s two new campuses feature thoughtfully curated learning environments inspired by Saudi Arabia’s rich history, culture and landscapes, all rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach in the early years and primary.

At the pre-school, children will explore open-ended, inquiry-driven spaces including a media and light studio, indoor playground, atelier, and piazza designed to foster creativity and collaboration.

At the international school, older students will benefit from expanded facilities that include a swimming pool, a science lab (Living Lab), and an outdoor football field, supporting both academic and physical development.

Examples of EtonHouse’s unique learning spaces include:

• The Elemental Landscape, where children explore desert and oasis environments using microscopes, clay, and digital tools to spark scientific thinking and ecological awareness.

• The Architecture Space, inspired by Saudi heritage, encourages hands-on experimentation with light, shadow, and structure to develop spatial and mathematical understanding.

• The Living Heritage Space, immerses children in local traditions through materials like mineral pigments, cardamom, and saffron, blending culture with creative exploration.

With more than 30 years of experience and 100+ schools globally, EtonHouse is renowned for delivering world-class education grounded in child agency, cultural fluency, and future readiness. The Riyadh campuses will offer internationally recognized programs including the UK International Primary Curriculum, Singapore Mathematics, Cambridge IGCSEs, and International A-Levels, all delivered by native-speaking educators in both English and Arabic. The school will also offer Mandarin as an additional language.

Ng Yi-Xian, group CEO of EtonHouse, said: “Our launch in Riyadh is a natural evolution of EtonHouse’s mission to offer world-class, inquiry-based education rooted in local relevance. Saudi Arabia is investing boldly in its youth, and we are proud to contribute by creating schools that combine global excellence with the cultural values and ambitions of the Kingdom.

These campuses will not just serve students, but inspire a generation of learners who are confident, multilingual, and future-ready.”

In line with EtonHouse’s commitment to whole-child development, both schools will place strong emphasis on emotional well-being, life skills, and personalized learning pathways.

Parents in Riyadh can book a school tour on the group’s website to experience Riyadh’s first EtonHouse campus and register for the 2025/2026 academic year.


PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership

Updated 15 February 2026
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PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership

The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.

The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.

Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.

He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.

Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”

The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.

It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.

The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.

Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”

He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.

Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.