Breast cancer campaigners in Saudi Arabia to focus on genetic screening
The association is teaming up with 17 universities and educational institutes, 31 clubs and health centers, and 40 hospitals and laboratories between Riyadh and Al-Kharj
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar and Princess Haifa launched the campaign
Updated 03 October 2018
Lojien Ben Gassem
RIYADH: Princess Haifa bint Faisal, chairwoman of Zahra Breast Cancer Association, said that in the future, a breast cancer campaign will focus on genetic screening as the association launched its 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign in Riyadh.
The campaign will run throughout October. The association is teaming up with 17 universities and educational institutes, 31 clubs and health centers, and 40 hospitals and laboratories between Riyadh and Al-Kharj, the Eastern Province, western and southern areas, and more than 21 regions in Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar and Princess Haifa launched the campaign in cooperation with several governmental and private sectors, at the Saudi Electricity Company Club.
Princess Haifa said the association will focus its efforts on examining patients through genetic screening to reduce cases of the disease being diagnosed at a late stage in an effort to cut mortality rates.
“The scope of the campaign extends to many regions of the Kingdom in conjunction with World Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“The campaign targets women in particular and society in general.”
Over the past 11 years, the association has reached more than 500,000 women in different regions of the Kingdom.
At the launch event, several speakers shared their experiences of recovering from breast cancer.
Samir Kurdy also talked about his wife’s inspirational story fighting the disease, which unfolded on Twitter under the hashtag #SuperDema. He said that his wife’s courageous example had given him and his young daughters strength. His wife died a month ago.
Pink Fingerprints
The Saudi Cancer Society has launched its “Pink Fingerprints” awareness campaign to combat breast cancer for a 12th consecutive year.
The campaign, which will run throughout October through the Abdul Latif Jameel Center for Breast Cancer Early Detection, aims to increase early screening to help boost recovery rates.
The society’s chairman, Dr. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Kanhal, said that the campaign will use the latest tools for early detection, including mobile clinics supplied with the latest equipment.
Mobile clinics will tour different parts of the Kingdom to reach the highest number of people at home.
An interactive awareness event for the campaign will be held for two weeks from mid-October at the Kingdom’s Commercial Center. Those who take part in the campaign will stamp their fingerprints on a wall as a sign of their support for the campaign.
How Saudi Arabia is tapping AI to monitor the environment and extreme weather
AI enhances weather predictions, improving forecasts for heatwaves and flash floods critical for Saudi Arabia’s climate adaptation efforts
KAUST’s Center of Excellence for Generative AI focuses on Earth observation technologies to address climate challenges like water scarcity
Updated 24 January 2025
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: Since the launch of Vision 2030, technological innovation and sustainability have been central to Saudi Arabia’s transformative plan, with artificial intelligence emerging as a key tool to tackle a range of issues, including environmental challenges.
With nearly 90 percent of its territory covered by desert, the Kingdom is utilizing AI to combat land degradation, improve water resource management, and promote sustainable practices.
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has joined the global AI race by advancing generative AI research.
Its Center of Excellence for Generative AI adopts a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on technologies like multimodal foundation models and AI-assisted Earth observation systems to address challenges, including water scarcity and land degradation.
Prof. Matthew McCabe, director of KAUST’s Climate and Livability Initiative, told Arab News that AI has provided a pathway to revolutionize our understanding and interpretation of Earth systems, ushering in an era where data can be rapidly channeled to provide new knowledge and actionable insights.
“While GenAI has already impacted greatly on a number of domains, its application in the Earth and environmental sciences remains emerging,” McCabe said.
Prof. Matthew McCabe, director of KAUST’s Climate and Livability Initiative. (Photo courtesy of KAUST)
The center’s research focuses on developing AI tools for satellite imaging and Earth observation, enabling better monitoring of ecosystems. This includes using drones and satellite-based remote sensing technologies to track environmental changes in real-time.
Drones and satellite systems provide high-resolution data that is crucial for understanding ecological shifts in regions that were previously difficult to study. This allows for more effective land management, ecosystem restoration, and better predictions regarding weather patterns.
“We will be using remote sensing and other data sources to undertake ecosystem monitoring, helping to advance some of the goals and objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative,” McCabe said.
Opinion
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AI-driven solutions are already aiding the Saudi Green Initiative’s goals of planting 10 billion trees and rehabilitating 40 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, analyzing regional climate data, soil conditions, and water availability to identify optimal planting locations.
The Saudi Data and AI Authority, known as SDAIA, has partnered with several government entities to leverage AI solutions in support of the Saudi Green Initiative. These efforts aim to create innovative, data-driven strategies for combating climate change.
AI is also transforming climate forecasting in Saudi Arabia. Hylke Beck, assistant professor of climate analytics at KAUST, highlighted AI’s potential to predict extreme weather events like heatwaves and flash floods, which are expected to become more frequent and severe due to climate change.
Hylke Beck, assistant professor of climate analytics at KAUST. (Photo courtesy of KAUST)
Beck said AI models can uncover hidden relationships within weather data that traditional forecasting methods cannot, enabling more accurate and actionable forecasts.
He noted that these improved forecasts are critical for the Kingdom as it works to adapt to climate challenges, such as the severe heatwave that affected Makkah last June or the devastating floods in April across the UAE and Oman.
“With projections indicating that climate change will intensify and increase the frequency of heatwaves and flash floods, alongside an expected 32 percent population growth by 2050, the need to harness AI technology has never been more urgent,” Beck told Arab News.
Commuters make their way through a flooded road after heavy rains in Makkah on January 6, 2025. Scientists in Saudi Arabia are tapping AI to improve forecasts as the Kingdom works to adapt to climate challenges. (AFP)
Although there are currently few weather forecasting systems specifically designed for the region, and even fewer that incorporate AI models, Beck says these technologies have transformative potential.
However, Beck says building effective AI models requires access to extensive datasets.
“Government support in making this data accessible is essential for creating a more climate-resilient future,” he said.
DID YOUKNOW?
• KAUST’s Center of Excellence for Generative AI focuses on Earth observation technologies to address climate challenges like water scarcity.
• Drones and satellites provide real-time data, aiding land management, ecosystem restoration, and environmental monitoring for the Saudi Green Initiative.
• AI models can uncover hidden relationships within weather data that traditional forecasting methods cannot, enabling more accurate and actionable forecasts.
Traditional weather models depend on equations created by scientists, but these equations can be limited by gaps in knowledge about certain weather patterns.
“These equations are imperfect because even the best meteorologists don’t fully understand all weather processes,” Berk said.
On the other hand, AI models analyze large amounts of data to find patterns, making predictions faster and more accurate. These are especially useful in areas where traditional systems struggle, like predicting thunderstorms, which are often harder to forecast accurately.
KAUST's new Center of Excellence on Generative AI aims to be the premier research, development, and innovation hub for pioneering generative AI technology in the Kingdom. (KAUST photo)
While traditional systems rely on expensive supercomputers, AI models can run effectively on regular computers, making them more affordable and accessible.
“These AI models can — and I believe will, in the not-too-distant future — fully replace current traditional models. However, they can also be integrated into them,” Beck said.
The Center of Excellence for Generative AI’s initiatives align with Vision 2030’s sustainability and innovation goals, collaborating with leading national entities like NEOM and Aramco, as well as international organizations like Meta and Nvidia to drive progress.
The center also addresses the shortage of generative AI talent in Saudi Arabia through training and upskilling programs for KAUST researchers, partners, and the wider community.
Saudi Arabia eyeing trade hub with trillion-riyal investments, transport official tells WEF
Saudi Arabia’s logistics investments and business-friendly policies aim to position the Kingdom as a global trade gateway, panel hears
Vision 2030 fosters clear goals, educated governance, and incentives, creating a robust foundation for logistics and transport growth
Updated 28 min 34 sec ago
Nadia Al-Faour
DUBAI: Savvy logistics investments and business-friendly policies are transforming Saudi Arabia into a global trade hub, a Davos panel was told on Thursday.
Nouf Al-Fares, assistant deputy minister at the Saudi Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services; and Ehab Aziz, chief financial officer of Agility, were speaking at Saudi House during the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting.
The panel highlighted the Kingdom’s ambitious logistics and investment targets, which are being met partly through international deals.
Al-Fares said: “A strategy was announced in mid 2021 by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. At the beginning I thought it to be intimidating having to raise SR1 trillion ($266 billion) in investments, but we are already halfway there through various established projects like the Riyadh Metro, and the new expansions of seaports and airports.
“We are now in motion to open a metro in Jeddah as well.”
The Kingdom’s shifting policies on foreign investment are also playing a role in surging growth, Al-Fares added.
Nouf Al-Fares, Saudi assistant deputy minister of transport and logistics, participates in the panel discussion at the WEF in Davos on Thursday. (WEF photo)
Foreign investors are now able to claim 100-percent ownership of their Saudi-based businesses — a crucial policy in attracting investment.
“International companies are increasingly seeing the value of investing in Saudi Arabia,” the assistant deputy minister said.
“Chinese companies have already entered the Saudi market, with investments so far reaching over SR1 billion, and there are still more incoming projects.”
Saudi Arabia is preparing to open five new airports in the coming years that will further boost the Kingdom’s connectivity and infrastructure, she added.
“This aligns with our vision and position to being the gateway to Asia, Africa and Europe. We are also preparing projects to back the tourism sector as we are witnessing a surge in numbers of tourists, not including the religious ones.
“A lot of programs and funds that have been developed by our government are geared at attracting the youth, and those leaders with an appetite for change. We are excited for the upcoming completion of projects like the railway, which is to be completed within four years.
“The railway will connect the Kingdom to its GCC neighbors, namely Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Doha.
Aziz praised the Saudi government’s proactive role in fostering a business-friendly environment.
He highlighted several schemes that have attracted domestic and foreign investment, particularly since the launch of Vision 2030.
The chief financial officer shared the details of his own company’s development in Saudi Arabia.
Agility, a logistics and supply chain leader, has been in operations for more than two decades, beginning as a Kuwaiti public company that constructed warehouses.
“Since its privatization Agility has become a global operator,” Aziz said.
“Today, the company has $11 billion worth of assets spread across various businesses. We also own one of the largest aviation companies that operates within 250 countries.”
A conviction that the Kingdom “would be the place to be in the future” led the company into a Saudi expansion, Aziz said, adding: “And so we have so far not been proved wrong.”
He said: “The story in Saudi is getting better and better over time. It is rare to find a country with a clear vision that is tangible with an educated government.
“The government incentivizing its employees through bonuses is also a new, atypical characteristic. All the infrastructure projects are very important but so is the mindset and attitude.
“And all that has been extremely positive. It has gotten to a level where you feel like you can completely count on the government; this increases your confidence in investing more in the country.”
Al-Fares and Aziz highlighted their optimism over the future of investment in the Kingdom’s transport and logistics sector.
The industry is poised for continued growth thanks to the government’s clear vision and investments that are providing a solid foundation for future development, they said.
“I think 2030 is carrying a lot and we are very optimistic,” Al-Fares added.
From farm to table — handmade cheese finds eager customers in Eastern Province
Aziza Alghanim’s love of farming developed into a sustainable agriculture business
She offers classes on the fundamentals of cheesemaking
Updated 23 January 2025
Hind AlKhunaizi
QATIF: Aziza Alghanim is the woman behind Khairat Laziza, an initiative born from her passion for the land on her picturesque farm in the charming town of Saihat, which became a sustainable agriculture business.
Her journey began in 2001 when she began growing aromatic citrus fruits and vibrant buckthorn trees while also tending to a small herd of goats.
In 2014, she began making cheese by hand. Her initial offerings were met with overwhelming enthusiasm, selling out swiftly and fueling her motivation to pursue her passion.
Building on this success, she established a specialist factory in 2016, which allowed her to expand the range of crops and products available.
To meet the ever-growing demand, she founded a second specialist factory in 2019, taking the total number of products offered to more than 100.
Now, Khairat Laziza is a fully-fledged business dedicated to serving the community, creating a direct pathway from the fields to consumers’ tables.
Alghanim told Arab News: “My journey in cheese making began in 2014 when I established the Khairat Laziza Foundation, a non-profit organization where the entirety of its revenue is dedicated to supporting charitable causes.”
This commitment to giving back has become a fundamental aspect of her work.
Alghanim has participated in a number of festivals, collaborating with the Al-Ataa Charitable Society and other organizations.
What began as a modest selection of only 10 types of cheese has blossomed into a diverse portfolio.
Today, Khairat Laziza features an array of cheeses, labneh, milk, gelatos, flavorful jams, rich sauces, zesty pickles, biscuits and pizzas, pre-made cheese platters and dried produce, in addition to other dairy-free options, bringing the total number of products to 118.
All are 100 percent natural, free from preservatives and harmful chemicals, and mostly made from ingredients sourced from Alghanim’s farm, she said.
She takes immense pride in finding ways to transform the land’s resources into healthy, nutritious products for the community.
Among her standout creations are “zalloum” cheese, which blends the flavor of halloumi with the texture of mozzarella, healthy biscuits, and an eclectic selection of gelato flavors.
Looking to the future, Alghanim says she is entering a new phase in her journey — shifting her focus to teaching the fundamentals of cheese making.
She has been sharing her expertise through a series of workshops designed for enthusiasts and beginners alike. They teach valuable skills, providing participants with the chance to learn the intricacies of cheese production and providing a deeper appreciation of the art of cheese-making.
Fearless Saudi 13-year-old launches Vision 2030 podcast
Teenager aims to educate the public about Kingdom’s vision
Overcame public speaking fears to become podcaster
Updated 23 January 2025
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: Saudi Linda Al-Faisal, who is only 13, aims to make an impact through her podcast, Linda Vision 2030, with each episode featuring a guest trailblazer.
Through her podcast, she connects with thousands of local and international subscribers, engaging in conversations about the Kingdom’s vision.
In her first episode, titled “How Saudi Arabia Became a Global Hub,” she discusses the projects being driven by the Kingdom, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, claiming “Saudi Arabia is no longer the land you once knew.”
In her third episode, Al-Faisal interviewed Tamim Turki, a teenage Saudi sports presenter.
Then, in her fourth episode, Al-Faisal sat down Hassan Yusuf, program director for Saudi Arabia’s Real Madrid foundation, where the pair discussed the role of youth in achieving the goals of Vision 2030.
When she was five years old, Al-Faisal was interested in becoming a ballerina, and after being enrolled in classes she later fulfilled her childhood dream. Today, she is a ballerina as well as a podcast host.
Influenced by her friends, who have their own podcast, Al-Faisal decided to create her own platform.
“Why I chose (the topic of) Vision 2030 is because many people don’t know what it talks about or what is going to happen. So, I decided to search and learn more about Vision 2030 so I can teach the people.
“The biggest goal that I want to achieve from my podcast is that I want to make every listener feel proud with all the developments and changes happening in Saudi Arabia.”
After years of presenting at school, facing her fears, Al-Faisal became a natural public speaker, learning communication techniques through observation and practice to become an effective presenter.
“I used to be nervous while presenting during my first time in school. We all learn from our mistakes, and I learned from mine and became stronger. The speeches I used to present in school made me more powerful.”
Al-Faisal’s ballet talent earned her third place in the “Creative Journey Around the Kingdom,” a program launched by the General Entertainment Authority in collaboration with MBC Academy, which sets out to identify local talent.
Al-Faisal’s message to teenagers is to keep dreaming and always stay positive.
“Do not let negative thinking destroy you. Always focus on yourself because you are the main character of your life.”
Saudi ministry signs two agreements to enhance social responsibility in nonprofit sector
Updated 23 January 2025
Arab News
Saudi Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti, witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding between the ministry and the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Foundation for Developmental Housing and Kaaf Strategy, respectively.
The signing ceremony was attended by the ministry’s Undersecretary for Beneficiary Services and Branch Affairs, Ghanem Al-Jadaan.
The signing of the two MoUs aims to enhance the role of the nonprofit sector in fulfilling its social responsibilities and contributing to the development of its operations through community projects and initiatives.
It also seeks to improve the work environment within nonprofit associations and institutions supervised by the Ministry, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
