Italian delegation looks for cyber security partnerships with Saudi universities

From left: Enzo Benigni, president and CEO of Elettronica; Domitilla Benigni, chief operating officer of Elettronica; Prof. Paola Severino, vice president of Luiss University, and Italian Ambassador Luca Ferrari. (AN photo by Bashir Saleh)
Updated 04 October 2018
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Italian delegation looks for cyber security partnerships with Saudi universities

  • The Italian delegation met representatives of Prince Sultan University, Alfaisal University and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, along with other education groups and officials

RIYADH: Former Italian Minister of Justice Prof. Paola Severino highlighted the similarities between her country and Saudi Arabia while visiting the Kingdom as part of a technology delegation seeking ways to contribute to the realization of Vision 2030. Now the vice president of Luiss University, she was also exploring opportunities to develop joint academic programs.

“There were a lot of important points in the 2030 Vision,” said Severino. “It starts with the idea that culture is a very important bridge between countries. I have the same idea. We (Saudi Arabia and Italy) have a similar history, the historical framework, and the link between Arab culture and Roman culture and Italy is very strong.

“When I looked more deeply into Vision 2030, I found more common ideas. In the vision there were goals such as to foster academic and professional skills to create a network between academies and also to foster information-technology programs, not only for anti-corruption but also the idea of constructing new professional skills, starting from legality and jurisdiction — a good justice system that could help the development of a country as well as the economic development.

“IT and digital could be a very important development of culture, but we have to be able to govern digital development. There are a lot of problems with piracy and the possibility of someone using data and hacking, which is dangerous.”

Severino is heading an Italian delegation exploring opportunities for collaboration and the development of a joint master’s degree program with Luiss University.

“Discussions have been very positive so far,” she said. “We have some concrete proposals on the table which will be developed further in the coming weeks.”

In the ever-evolving digital era, she said, technology must be governed by rules, laws and a new economic system that must be developed in a way that “respects rules and traditions.”

“The idea was to start with a joint program, with a lot of cultural and academic exchange,” she added.

To this end, the Italian delegation met representatives of Prince Sultan University, Alfaisal University and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, along with other education groups and officials.

Enzo Benigni, the president and CEO of technology business Elettronica, is also part of the Italian delegation.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to explain how cooperation between a university a company can be, but the digital world is starting to become generic, and we live in a world that is digitalized. There is a gap in universities between reality and university modules. What we want to do is fill this gap and to be a modern university with modern students because it’s a modern world. Young people are very open and are connected to that.

“Our aim is to prevent today’s universities becoming disconnected from today’s technology. This is the concept and our contribution. The best example is if we have a cyberattack then it is important that we have an exchange of ideas,” Benigni said.

In addition to her meetings with educational institutions, Severino met Saudi Minister of Education Dr. Ahmed Al-Issa. They discussed the importance of education and cultural and academic exchanges in developing a healthy, vibrant society. Severino in particular praised a scholarship program for study abroad sponsored by the Saudi government.

She also visited the Misk Foundation and Prince Sultan University, where she delivered a keynote speech on the importance of the law and the fight against corruption to sustain businesses and economic growth.


Orchestra celebrates soundtracks of popular video games at Saudi Arabia’s Ithra

The event at Ithra featured music from Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft, The Witcher 3 and Assassin’s Creed 2, among many others.
Updated 04 April 2025
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Orchestra celebrates soundtracks of popular video games at Saudi Arabia’s Ithra

  • Concert features symphonic arrangements, in-game HD visuals

DHAHRAN: It is “game on” at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture after it opened its doors to an event on Thursday.

The orchestral performance, which is being held nightly at the Ithra Theater — with two shows scheduled for Friday — celebrates the soundtracks of popular video games and attempts to breathe new life into them.

The concert features symphonic arrangements paired with in-game HD visuals and exclusive concept art from popular titles such as League of Legends, Overwatch, Assassin’s Creed, and The Witcher 3.

The event featured music from Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft, The Witcher 3 and Assassin’s Creed 2, among many others. (Supplied)

Sergey Smbatyan, founder of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and the artistic director and principal conductor since 2005, was on hand to lend context and commentary between the scores on opening night.

He told the crowd before the show: “If you’re not a gamer, what I want you to do is to imagine that you’re in a museum — an art museum — but instead of a curator telling you about the images that you’re going to see on this huge screen, let these musicians tell you that exact story.

“Tonight there is no right time to clap; there is no wrong time to clap. If you hear something you like from these guys (gesturing to the orchestra behind him on stage), let us know.

“We're going to start off tonight with role-play games, or what are known as RPGs, where players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. The game is focused on interactive storytelling, decision-making and strategy.”

Dhahran resident Paul Blay took his two daughters Sylvia, 11, and Celeste, 10, to the show.

Blay, who is a father of six, told Arab News: “I get emails about Ithra events and saw this one and I thought it would be fun for me and the girls to go to. Like with anyone that you love, I shared the things I love with them.”

The Blay family moved to the Kingdom last year and were keen to attend an event that merged gaming with music.

Celeste told Arab News: “I really like video game music; the music is really pretty and I like listening to that. It is kind of what motivated me to come here. And, also, my dad likes video games.”

The older Blay sisters have both taken music lessons and play multiple instruments, including the piano, the harp and the clarinet.

Their father said: “Some of the best music that’s being composed nowadays is for movies and video games. I expected it to be really high quality and good (at Ithra).”

The event featured music from Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft, The Witcher 3 and Assassin’s Creed 2, among many others.

The last show takes place on April 5, with tickets starting at SR200 ($53), available at the venue or via the Ithra website.

 


Exhibition honoring Prince Khaled Al-Faisal inaugurated in Jeddah

Updated 04 April 2025
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Exhibition honoring Prince Khaled Al-Faisal inaugurated in Jeddah

  • The exhibition chronicles Prince Khaled’s life and contributions as a statesman, individual and poet through visual installations

MAKKAH: Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz launched the “Love of Khaled Al-Faisal” exhibition as part of Jeddah Season festivities.

The ceremony was attended by Prince Turki bin Faisal, alongside several relatives of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.

The delegation toured the exhibition, housed at the Abadi Al-Johar area in Jeddah, which runs from April 3-8 and welcomes visitors daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The exhibition chronicles Prince Khaled’s life and contributions as a statesman, individual and poet through visual installations.

 


Saudi Arabia’s Hail poppy reserve attracts thousands of tourists

As the sun sets, the golden rays cast a warm glow over the landscape and create a natural wonder. (SPA)
Updated 04 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s Hail poppy reserve attracts thousands of tourists

  • Since opening in 2022, the reserve, which covers 10,000 sq. meters, has drawn thousands of domestic and foreign visitors

HAIL: With its vibrant array of wildflowers framed by golden sand dunes and majestic mountains, the Poppy Reserve in Al-Khattah is one of the Hail region’s most captivating attractions.

Since opening in 2022, the reserve, which covers 10,000 sq. meters, has drawn thousands of domestic and foreign visitors, particularly during holidays, Eid and the spring season.

The attraction enchants guests with its sweeping fields of poppies, perfectly balanced in form and color. As the sun sets, the golden rays cast a warm glow over the landscape and create a natural wonder.

This striking beauty enhances the region’s reputation for breathtaking scenery and offers a unique experience.

 


Saudi Arabia concludes participation in Bologna Book Fair

The event introduced visitors to Saudi heritage through a comprehensive cultural experience. (SPA)
Updated 04 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia concludes participation in Bologna Book Fair

  • The Saudi pavilion experienced significant engagement from publishers and international literary agencies, Al-Bassam added

BOLOGNA: Saudi Arabia concluded its participation in the Bologna International Book Fair 2025, held in Bologna, Italy, from March 31 to April 3.

The event introduced visitors to Saudi heritage through a comprehensive cultural experience.

Bassam Al-Bassam, general manager of publishing at the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, said the commission organized various initiatives to enhance the publishing and translation industry in the Kingdom and showcase the Saudi cultural landscape.

The Saudi pavilion experienced significant engagement from publishers and international literary agencies, Al-Bassam added.

By participating in international book fairs, the Kingdom aims to enhance its cultural presence on a global scale and create new opportunities to promote Saudi culture both regionally and internationally.

 


Attempt to smuggle qat foiled in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan

Patrols of the Border Guard in Al-Daer, Jazan, foiled an attempt to smuggle 45 kg of hashish. (SPA)
Updated 04 April 2025
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Attempt to smuggle qat foiled in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan

  • Preliminary procedures have been completed, and the seized narcotics were handed to the competent authority

JAZAN: Saudi Border Guard land patrols in Farasan, Jazan, arrested three Yemenis for violating border security system regulations and attempting to smuggle 171 kg of qat.

Meanwhile, Border Guard land patrols in Al-Daer, Jazan, foiled an attempt to smuggle 45 kg of hashish. Preliminary procedures have been completed, and the seized narcotics were handed to the competent authority.