RIYADH: With the launch of Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020, Saudi Arabia has entered a new era of progress and prosperity which ensures integrated development in the Kingdom.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a series of developments in the fields of education, health, trade, communications, science and technology.
Launching Vision 2030 last year, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman described it as an achievable blueprint, which expresses long-term goals and reflects the country’s potentials and the projected future. It is a roadmap for economic and developmental action in the Kingdom.
Under this program, some governmental bodies and ministries underwent a restructuring process. This will enable them to perform their tasks, and expand their competencies to achieve a prosperous future and sustainable development.
Women are being given greater responsibility in society. The Shoura Council, which is a consultative body, has 30 women members out of its total membership of 150.
Recently, some female leaders were given highly responsible positions in public and private sector enterprises.
The education of women in the Kingdom has received a great deal of attention and this has allowed Saudi women to make definite strides toward achieving their ambitions in different fields.
The Saudi woman has emerged both at the local and international levels. Saudi women have excelled in the fields of culture and specialized research and their achievements have set records.
The King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) plays a predominant role in the country.
KACST is a governmental scientific institution that supports and enhances applied scientific research. It coordinates the activities of government institutions and scientific research centers in accordance with the requirements of the development of the Kingdom.
It also cooperates with the relevant authorities to identify national priorities and policies in technology and science, so as to build a scientific and technological basis that serves development in agriculture, industry, mining and more. It also aims to develop national competencies and recruit highly qualified specialists to help develop and control modern technology to serve development in the Kingdom.
Its vision is to be a world-class organization in science and technology, fostering innovation and promoting a knowledge-based society in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
For the first time in the Kingdom’s history, KACST recently produced three types of drones. The air drones, code-named Saqr 2, 3 and 4, are made of carbon and fiberglass and are characterized as light and durable to evade detection of radar and reconnaissance equipment.
The drones can be programmed from a ground-based control room. The newly created devices contain automatic control units, as well as logarithmic programs which can deal with and adapt to different wind speeds and temperatures, engine combustion, emergency landings, or climb or deviate from a flight path.
The drones will be used in cases of natural or environmental disasters, aerial photography, remote sensing and exploration, agriculture, border control and rescue operations.
In the health sector, there are more than 400 hospitals throughout the Kingdom which include some 125 private sector hospitals. Besides these hospitals, there are several medical cities and more than 2,000 primary health care centers.
During Hajj, the Ministry of Health alone deploys some 30,000 health officials to serve the millions of pilgrims who come to the two holy cities every year.
Education is a much-prioritized sector in the Kingdom. New schools are being built with state-of-the art technology to provide education to the growing population. The Education Ministry provides foreign scholarships to students who wish to pursue higher studies of their choice in major cities in the world in the UK, the US, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, France and India. There are more than 10,000 Saudi students studying abroad on government-funded scholarships.
There are some 39 universities in the Kingdom and some of them have achieved global recognition because of their state-of-the-art facilities.
The Princess Nourah University (PNU) is an example of the attention given to higher education for women. The attention started when the General Presidency for the Education of Girls established the first college for women in 1390 AH, corresponding to 1970 CE. The inauguration of more colleges followed, reaching 102, ranging from university colleges to intermediary and community colleges. These are found in 72 Saudi cities and include 600,000 students.
In Riyadh alone there are six colleges: The College of Education for Liberal Arts Disciplines; the College of Education for Scientific Disciplines; the College of Education for the Development of Teachers; the College of Social Services; the College of Home Economics; and the College of Fine Arts.
In 1427 AH, a royal order was issued for the establishment of the first university for women in Riyadh, under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. This includes the six colleges located in Riyadh, in addition to a number of new colleges established for the purpose of women’s education and development in the Kingdom.
Vision 2030 will take Saudi Arabia into the future, standing on the foundations of the past
Vision 2030 will take Saudi Arabia into the future, standing on the foundations of the past
Film Commission hosts masterclass with Syrian film veteran in Alkhobar
- Ghassan Massoud shares insights to elevate the next generation of talent in the Kingdom
DHAHRAN: The Ministry of Culture’s Film Commission hosted Syrian actor and filmmaker Ghassan Massoud for a masterclass titled “The Secrets of Acting Art” in Alkhobar over the weekend.
The masterclass, a part of the filmmaker’s program, covered the fundamentals of cinematic and theatrical acting, including academic training and actual practice.
It emphasized the close relationship between acting and the visual arts, music, sociology and psychology.
Reflecting on his training and upbringing, Massoud had praise for the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus, where he studied and later became a professor.
He said Syrian theater and filmmaking drew inspiration from mainstream and alternative sources, including Hollywood and European cinematic traditions.
The masterclass consisted of two question-and-answer sessions. The first round was moderated by scriptwriter and director Abdulaziz Al-Sultan, who guided a discussion on Massoud’s background and his experiences in television and filmmaking.
The second round provided an opportunity for interactions with the audience that included filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, as well as movie enthusiasts.
Massoud shared his thoughts on how actors should approach character development.
“I familiarize myself with the character’s vocation, trade jargon, and tools, as well as their psychological and physical attributes, weaknesses, and illnesses. All these aspects influence the character’s attitude, body language, facial expressions, and overall charisma or presence on set.”
Massoud had praise for the cultural landscape in the Eastern Province. He said he was delighted to have met talented and emerging actors, directors, screenwriters and cinematographers.
The actor has been acclaimed for his performances in several international films including Ridley Scott’s 2005 epic “Kingdom of Heaven,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”
He said he has enjoyed visiting the Kingdom and collaborating on various cultural and artistic projects. This involvement includes serving as a jury member at the 2023 Saudi Theater Festival in Riyadh.
He also has a part in the upcoming historical epic “Desert Warrior,” which was shot in NEOM in northeastern Saudi Arabia and is set for release in the new year.
When asked about advice he has for aspiring actors, he told Arab News: “Dream a lot but work more.”
The filmmaker’s program, now in its fourth run, has opened new horizons for amateurs and professionals. It features a training program that encompasses all stages of film production, from initial ideas to marketing and distribution.
The program includes both in-person and virtual workshops with experts, as well as artistic residencies and masterclasses in collaboration with international institutes and universities.
European pilgrims visit Prophet’s biography museum, Islamic heritage sites in Madinah
- At the museum the visitors saw interactive displays and multimedia presentations about the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures, historical events and Islamic culture
RIYADH: A group of 250 people from 14 European countries recently visited the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization in Madinah.
Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Umrah and Visit, the visitors were part of a wider scheme that will see 1,000 people from 66 countries perform Umrah in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
At the museum the visitors saw interactive displays and multimedia presentations about the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures, historical events, Islamic culture and initiatives to safeguard Islamic history and civilization.
The fair seeks to present Islamic culture in an engaging way for different audiences and the visitors expressed their thanks to the Kingdom’s leadership for facilitating their visits to Madinah and Makkah.
They also commended the Kingdom’s efforts to promote Islam’s message of tolerance and to foster appreciation for its historical and spiritual legacy.
As well as the museum, the group visited the Battle of Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery and offered prayers at Quba Mosque.
At King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, the pilgrims learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an, preservation efforts and its translation into many languages.
At the end of their visit the pilgrims were presented with copies of the Qur’an by representatives of the complex.
Saudi aid efforts continue in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s humanitarian initiatives are benefiting thousands across Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.
In northern Syria, KSrelief delivered food baskets and hygiene kits to 551 earthquake-affected families in Aleppo, benefiting 3,306 individuals in one day.
In Yemen, 641 food baskets were distributed to vulnerable families in Aden and Lahij, assisting 4,487 individuals in one day.
KSrelief also concluded a week-long urology surgery project in Aden, involving nine specialists who examined 53 cases and performed 109 surgeries.
In Taiz, KSrelief’s rehabilitation center provided 1,537 services to 416 beneficiaries in one month, including prosthetic limb fittings, maintenance, physical therapy, and consultations.
In Lebanon, the KSrelief-funded Subul Al-Salam ambulance service conducted 51 missions in Miniyeh in one week, offering emergency aid to Syrian and Palestinian refugees and host communities.
Additionally, KSrelief distributed 175,000 bread bags to 12,500 families in one week through the Al-Amal Charity Bakery project in Akkar and Miniyeh.
New boot camps focus on data center training
- The program aims to produce skilled national talent for managing advanced data centers
Riyadh: Tuwaiq Academy has partnered with the Uptime Institute to offer six-month professional boot camps at its headquarters in Riyadh.
The program aims to produce skilled national talent for managing advanced data centers across various sectors, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.
The initiative addresses labor market needs in data-related fields, including data center management, analysis, and project design, by offering intensive boot camps with globally recognized certifications.
Training follows a hands-on, application-based approach in specialized data center management labs, equipping participants with essential skills to develop innovative solutions for diverse sectors.
Registration is open at tuwaiq.edu.sa.
Founded in 2019, Tuwaiq Academy trains over 1,000 in-person participants daily and provides professional certifications in collaboration with global leaders like Apple, Meta, Amazon, Alibaba, Dell, IBM, and Microsoft.
As the training arm of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, the academy has trained over 32,000 people, with 80 percent of graduates securing placements through its Tuwaiq Job Fair, in collaboration with government and private sectors.
Saudi royal reserve launches 45-day Naylat Camp in Hail
RIYADH: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has launched Naylat Camp, a 45-day event in the Hail region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Located in the breathtaking Naylat area, renowned for its soaring mountains, golden sands, clear skies and tranquility, the camp offers a mix of adventure and relaxation.
Visitors can enjoy camel and horse riding, challenging hiking trails, stargazing, and exploring archaeological and historical sites within the reserve.
The camp features facilities designed to enhance the visitor experience while promoting sustainable ecotourism, according to SPA.
The initiative aims to promote sustainable tourism by showcasing the region’s natural beauty, raising environmental awareness about preserving biodiversity, and supporting the local community through seasonal job opportunities and regional development.
The King Salman reserve covers an area of 130,700 sq. km, spanning four administrative regions: Al-Jawf, Hail, Northern Borders and Tabuk. It features diverse natural habitats, terrains and distinctive geographic formations.
