The strong presence of foreign pilots in Saudi Arabian Airlines, estimated at 25 percent of the total pilots operating in the Kingdom, has come for sharp criticism from Shoura Council members.
Abdullah Al-Harbi, a member of the Council, said the airline had failed to capitalize on the large Saudi pilots’ workforce in the past 10 years, despite the fact that the airline had added new aircraft to upgrade its fleet. “This resulted in a glut of assistant pilots numbering over 700, of whom 250 are ready to be promoted to the post of captains following completion of requirements,” he said.
Instead of training Saudi pilots and promoting them, he said the airlines recruited 210 pilots of different nationalities. “The number of foreign pilots does not augur well for a company which has been around for 60 years, but yet, failed to achieve the goal of nationalization of jobs,” he argued.
His argument is that the company spends time, money and effort on training foreign pilots, and after they qualify and gain experience using Saudi funds, they leave the job to work for other airlines. “The downside of this is that the Saudis are denied the chance to be promoted,” he added.
Another Shoura member Said Mariq said the report of Saudi Arabian Airlines does not reflect indicators that the Council aspires for. “The spin-off is that the airlines following the privatization process, has established eight companies. What is the role played by these subsidiaries in supporting the parent company?” asked Mariq.
Mariq revealed that the revenues of the company stood at SR19 billion against a SR21 billion expenditure, clearly indicating a deficit in its budget.
Abdulrahman Al-Rashid, another Shoura member, demanded that the company provide detailed financial statement to the council, while another member, Atta Al-Subaiti, wondered why the airline was placed at the 87th in the list of top airliners of the world in 2012.
Saudia ignores Saudi pilots, opts for foreigners: Shoura
Saudia ignores Saudi pilots, opts for foreigners: Shoura
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‘Songs of Silence in Nature’: Chinese artist Shu Li honored in Riyadh
- Artist’s work depicts serene scenes of mountains and lakes
- Exhibition showcases cultural ties between China and Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Art Pure Gallery Foundation is currently hosting an exhibition, “Songs of Silence in Nature,” by the renowned Chinese artist Shu Li.
Organized in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the exhibition opened on June 24, 2024 and will run until July 25, 2025 in the Saudi capital.
A leading figure in contemporary Chinese art, Shu Li has held distinguished roles within China’s national cultural institutions.
His works have been showcased in more than 20 countries, including the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Italy.
He has received numerous international accolades in countries such as Russia, Belgium, the US, Ukraine and India, and is a distinguished academician of the Russian Academy of Arts.
His paintings are featured in some of China’s most iconic venues, including the National Art Museum of China, the Great Hall of the People, and the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party.
He has also published more than 20 catalogues chronicling his artistic evolution.
Shu Li’s work blends traditional Chinese techniques with a distinctly contemporary sensibility.
Characterized by tranquil landscapes, his pieces often depict mist-shrouded mountains and serene lakes. These works invite viewers to enter a meditative and reflective state.
“Art is not merely a visual encounter,” the artist explained, “but an emotional journey.
“Through my oil paintings, I aim to capture those fleeting moments of beauty that enrich our daily existence.
“My work is a dialogue between the canvas and the world it portrays — a world where light dances across surfaces and color speaks more powerfully than words.
“Each painting is an exploration of texture, form and the expressive potential of oil as a medium. I draw inspiration from nature, human experience and the myriad ways in which art connects us to both. I invite viewers to do more than just observe my work; I want them to feel it and enter the narrative that each painting weaves.”
This exhibition is part of an increasing cultural dialogue between China and Saudi Arabia. It reflects the desire of both countries to strengthen their artistic exchange and deepen the ties between these two ancient and influential civilizations.
Contemporary Chinese art embodies a rich synthesis of millennia-old traditions and modern perspectives.
Since the late-20th century, Chinese artists have experimented with various forms, including painting, sculpture, installation and video, to explore the tensions between heritage, rapid urbanization and evolving social realities.
Often merging classical craftsmanship with avant-garde techniques, they explore themes of identity, collective memory and the challenges of the present age.
Today, China’s vibrant art scene is widely recognized internationally, with many leading Chinese artists playing a pivotal role in reshaping the global contemporary art landscape.
The Art Pure Gallery Foundation is a leading Saudi cultural institution founded in 1999.
AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed
- Launched in September 2024, AI skills program targets citizens of all ages and professional backgrounds
RIYADH: A total of 334,000 Saudi Arabia citizens have benefitted from a government program aimed at empowering citizens with artificial intelligence skills, according to the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.
The “One Million Saudis in AI” program was set up in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in September 2024.
During the keynote session of the Non-Profit Sector Forum in Education and Training 2025 in Riyadh on July 2, SDAIA chief Abdullah Alghamdi highlighted key features of the program.
He said the partnerships the authority had forged with other government agencies have positioned the Kingdom globally in empowering women in AI, and community awareness, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Launched at the Global AI Summit, the SAMAI initiative targets citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds.
Alghamdi also cited several national initiatives that resulted from this collaboration, including the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence, or ATHKA Competition.
More than 260,000 male and female students from intermediate and secondary schools participated, with 10,000 advancing to the final stage, he said.
One key initiative cited by the SDAIA chief was the “Road to ATHKA,” which trained more than 570,000 students on AI concepts.
Another was the “Future Intelligence Programmers” initiative, which trained over 10,000 teachers.
The SDAIA and Education Ministry had also established the Center for Excellence in Education.
This was “designed to institutionalize technological integration within the education sector, sustain future-oriented initiatives, and leverage AI to enhance learning outcomes.”
Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Salam Palace in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince and Shiekh Tahnoun, who is also the deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, discussed relations between the Kingdom and the UAE and ways to enhance them.
Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations
RIYADH: A total of 5,912 inspections covering 4,307 establishments were carried out across the Kingdom by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in April and May.
A total of 996 were shut down due to various violations, while 136 were closed for operating without required licenses and for product safety breaches.
Additionally, production lines at 127 establishments were halted and 1,750 types of products were seized.
The initiative is part of the SFDA’s efforts to ensure compliance with approved regulations and to uphold high quality standards.
At one food establishment, inspectors found raw materials of an unknown origin, employees without health certificates, the absence of a tracking system and inadequate measures being taken to prevent cross-contamination. These led to the closure of the business and the implementation of necessary legal measures.
Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed
- Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development
RIYADH: As part of the Kingdom’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of desertification, improve air quality and achieve its sustainable development goals, Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development.
Held in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, the four-day event saw the participation of 70 countries, including attendance by local and international ministers, environmental organizations and financial development entities.
Among the participants was Saudi Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Osama Faqeeha.
Faqeeha, who is also the adviser to the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties Presidency, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts and innovation to address the escalating threat of climate change that resulted in complicated and devastating environmental issues such as drought.
Faqeeha said: “The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a ‘one-stop shop’ for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness.
“We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world.”
The deputy minister said that solutions should be applied through strategies and mechanisms to ensure enhanced resilience in the areas that were mostly affected by drought and climate change globally.
He praised the partnership with the International Drought Resilience Alliance, a global coalition that aims to build resilience against droughts and climate change.
He said it was fundamental to bridging the gap between the political and financial aspects to ensure the achievement of long-term sustainable development objectives.
The discussion highlighted some of the national efforts and strategies for environmental sustainability, including efforts by the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the CAF Development Bank of Latin America.
