Stc Group named strongest brand in the Middle East: Brand Finance 

The recognition reflects stc Group’s continued focus on innovation and excellence, as well as sustained investment in digital infrastructure and advanced technologies. Supplied
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Updated 21 January 2026
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Stc Group named strongest brand in the Middle East: Brand Finance 

RIYADH: Saudi telecom firm stc Group has topped the list of the strongest brands in the Middle East and maintained its position as the most valuable telecom brand in the region, according to the latest Brand Finance Global 2026 report. 

The company achieved advanced global rankings, securing third place as the strongest brand in the global telecom sector and ninth place as the most valuable telecom brand globally, confirming its brand strength and growing presence in international markets. 

The recognition reflects stc Group’s continued focus on innovation and excellence, as well as sustained investment in digital infrastructure and advanced technologies, including the expansion of its fiber-optic network, supporting the Kingdom’s digital transformation. 

Brand Finance evaluates more than 5,000 brands annually across sectors and markets, based on indicators such as brand strength, value, and financial performance as well as market presence and consumer confidence. Its global ranking includes the world’s most powerful and valuable brands. 

stc Group continues to strengthen its regional and global footprint through strategic partnerships and investments, while enabling digital transformation across key sectors, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global digital hub. 

The ranking also highlights the company’s commitment to delivering world-class digital services, reinforcing its leadership in telecommunications and technology, and building a sustainable digital ecosystem that supports economic growth in Saudi Arabia, the region and globally. 

Earlier this month, stc Group issued US dollar-denominated sukuk worth $2 billion across two tranches. 

The company said the issuance comprised $750 million in sukuk with a five-year maturity priced at a spread of 75 basis points over US Treasuries, and $1.25 billion in 10-year sukuk at a spread of 90 basis points over US Treasuries, according to the Saudi Press Agency.  

The order book exceeded $8 billion across both tranches, representing oversubscription of more than four times, with participation from over 300 investors. 

The issuance attracted strong demand from a broad base of international investors, reflecting confidence in the strength and resilience of stc Group’s business model and long-term strategy.  


Saudi Arabia leads outcome-based education to prepare future-ready generations: Harvard Business Review

A Harvard sign is seen at the Harvard University campus in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 27, 2025. (AFP)
Updated 10 February 2026
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Saudi Arabia leads outcome-based education to prepare future-ready generations: Harvard Business Review

  • The Riyadh-based school group developed a strategy that links every classroom activity to measurable student competencies, aiming to graduate learners equipped for the digital economy and real-world contexts

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s education system is undergoing a sweeping transformation aligned with Vision 2030, shifting from traditional, input-focused methods to outcome-based education designed to equip students with future-ready skills, Harvard Business Review Arabic reported.

The transformation is being adopted and spearheaded by institutions such as Al-Nobala Private Schools, which introduced the Kingdom’s first national “learning outcomes framework,” aimed at preparing a generation of leaders and innovators for an AI-driven future, the report said.

Al-Nobala has leveraged international expertise to localize advanced learning methodologies.

The Riyadh-based school group developed a strategy that links every classroom activity to measurable student competencies, aiming to graduate learners equipped for the digital economy and real-world contexts. The school’s group approach combines traditional values with 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, communication, innovation and digital fluency.

According to the report, the shift addresses the growing gap between outdated models built for low-tech, resource-constrained environments and today’s dynamic world, where learners must navigate real-time information, virtual platforms, and smart technologies.

“This is not just about teaching content, it’s about creating impact,” the report noted, citing how Al-Nobala’s model prepares students to thrive in an AI-driven world while aligning with national priorities.

The report noted that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has paved the way for this shift by transitioning from a centralized controller to a strategic enabler, allowing schools such as Al-Nobala to tailor their curriculum to meet evolving market and societal needs. This is part of the long-term goal to place the Kingdom among the top 20 global education systems.

Al-Nobala’s work, the report stated, has succeeded in serving the broader national effort to link education outcomes directly to labor market demands, helping to fulfill the Vision 2030 pillar of building a vibrant society with a thriving economy driven by knowledge and innovation.

Last February, Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Saudi Arabia’s minister of education, said that the Kingdom was making “an unprecedented investment in education,” with spending aligned to the needs of growth and development. He said that in 2025, education received the second-largest share of the state budget, totaling $53.5 billion.