RIYADH: The Excellence and Expansion Summit 2016 is to be held in Riyadh under the patronage of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MoMRA) will discuss issues relating to the modernization of municipalities in the Kingdom, with a focus on the introduction of smart technology.
To be organized under the endorsement of MoMRA, the summit will host key officials from municipalities across the Kingdom as it is a key platform to introduce global pre-qualified solution providers for the expansion of the municipalities.
“More than 150 pre-screened decision makers from the municipalities in the Kingdom will interact with the pre-qualified solution providers to assist in the modernization of municipalities with smart tech,” a MoMRA official said on Monday.
Commenting on the summit, the official said that Saudi cities, including the capital, have seen a huge transformation over the last decade, especially in RIyadh, which is considered one of the major economic forces in the Gulf region. Indeed, the vision for the city is to make it more attractive as an ultra modern city with state of the art buildings and facilities without losing its traditional values.
With the Kingdom investing $500 billion to modernize its infrastructure in line with the Vision 2030, the country is keen to source solutions and services that will play a key role in their ongoing expansion plans for key cities in the Kingdom.
As the apex entity responsible for the municipal and local bodies’ administration in the Kingdom, MoMRA is investing its resources into urban development, smart technology and governmental excellence, hence the two-day summit, which will kick off later this year on October 5th with the opening address by Abdul Lateef Al-Sheikh, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs. The summit will include one-on-one meetings and interactive panel discussions.
Notably, MoMRA also hosted the first urban planning forum in March this year in collaboration with UN-Habitat,the United Nations Human Settlements Program for a better urban future under the theme ‘modern trends in urban planning toward a prosperous city.’
Riyadh summit 2016 to discuss modernization of municipalities
Riyadh summit 2016 to discuss modernization of municipalities
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
- A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
