Why Saudi Arabia is investing in innovation

Dr. Hayat Sindi, above, the first Saudi and female scientist to become a UNESCO goodwill ambassador for sciences. (Supplied)
Updated 30 April 2019
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Why Saudi Arabia is investing in innovation

  • Dr Hayat Sindi, the first Saudi and female scientist to become a UNESCO goodwill ambassador for sciences, says it’s important to cultivate among youth
  • It’s not just a buzzword: Saudi Arabia and other UN member states believe it’s key to the post-oil future

DUBAI: Innovation and creativity have become the buzzwords in the Gulf, and it’s not just by coincidence. The United Nations marked World Creativity and Innovation Day this month, on April 21, which it began recognizing in 2017 as the “true wealth of nations in the 21st century.”
Saudi Arabia is working on cultivating these qualities among its talent to help drive its economy in the post-oil era.
“Nurturing economic growth is the best route out of poverty, both here in Saudi Arabia and across the world,” said Dr. Hayat Sindi, the first Saudi and female scientist to become a UNESCO goodwill ambassador for sciences. “Science, technology and innovation are offering more solutions than ever before, but there has never been a greater need for those solutions to modern developmental challenges. As we approach 2030, where the world’s governments will be judged on progress toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is key we transform the way we approach development.”
In 2016, Dr. Sindi was appointed by then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to the 10-Member Group to support the implementation of the SDGs. She believes innovation and creativity will lead to achieving the goals and drive economic growth.
“If you give people the tools to build a sustainable future for themselves, their communities and their countries, you will build up their pride and enable them to fulfil their potential,” she explained. “Science, technology and innovation are offering bold new solutions, but there has never been a greater need for real and creative answers to the world’s developmental challenges.”
As the chief scientific adviser at the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Sindi believes it is crucial to engage young people in development to drive meaningful change. “One of my life-long passions has been to transcend the existing gaps between education and opportunity, particularly for young people,” she said. “In 2011, I launched i2, the Institute for Imagination and Ingenuity, to encourage innovation among young people — specifically scientists, technologists and engineers.”
Through fellowships, training and mentorships, she sought to inspire the next generation of innovators so that they may realize their dreams and, ultimately, contribute to the world. “Islamic tradition holds its young people in special esteem and calls upon them to be active members of society by contributing to development,” she said. “Education is the key to unleashing the potential of future generations, and that’s why it is key to fund skills and education training that enables access to the labor market and improves their life prospects.”
One of her roles at the bank involves putting science, technology and innovation at the heart of its work. As such, she helped launch its $500 million Transform Fund and Engage platform to support innovators to find solutions to development challenges.
“My passion in life is to see that the impact of science and the benefit of innovation reaches every single person in the world,” Dr. Sindi said. “And that work continues at the (bank), which is doing a huge amount to embrace creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship around sustainable development in its initiatives, having a positive impact on both Saudi and the wider world.”
But more still needs to be done in the realm of attracting and supporting women in roles related to science, technology and innovation. “At a young age, inspired by great scientists and thinkers, I convinced my family to allow me to travel alone to England to pursue higher education, a rare permission for a young Saudi woman,” she said.
“With the great support of my family and tutors, I became the first Saudi woman to be accepted at Cambridge University in biotechnology, and the first woman from any of the Arab states of the Gulf to complete a doctoral degree in the field. I have always been passionate about advocating social innovation and, with a team from Harvard, I co-founded Diagnostics for All to link science and society together.”
Together, they created affordable diagnostic devices for people in impoverished regions, which won first place in Harvard Business School’s Business Plan Contest, in the social enterprise track, and first place in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s $100,000 Entrepreneurship Competition in 2008.
“I am truly passionate for the promotion of science-based skills for women, particularly in the developing world,” she added. “I was pleased to be named UNESCO goodwill ambassador in October 2012 to empower STEM education for women and girls. Women in STEM subjects will be crucial if we are to find new models that will provide the outcomes the UN global goals strive for.”
Entrepreneurship is gaining momentum across the Kingdom. According to Philip Bahoshy, CEO and founder of MAGNiTT, a database for start-up information across the Middle East and North Africa, it is a key driver, as part of the Vision 2030, for the diversification of the Saudi economy, to help drive youth productivity and innovation, and support employment opportunities.
“Across Saudi Arabia, institutions have embraced this to meet the objectives,” he said. “According to MAGNiTT data, 2018 saw $49 million of investment in venture-backed start-ups (in Saudi Arabia), and we saw initiatives through the creation of multiple accelerator programs, like Misk 500. We foresee investment and start-up activity to grow in 2019 and beyond.”
Having attended the STEP Conference in Riyadh earlier this year, he spoke of a tangible buzz around innovation and entrepreneurship. “The Hajj Hackathon in 2018 also held the record number of participants attending a hackathon event,” he said. “This highlights the appetite across the Kingdom with plenty of room for growth, and early success stories are paving the way for further investment and start-ups to help drive economic growth, job opportunities and digitalization of the Saudi economy.”
Vision 2030 supports the Kingdom’s will to help local businesses and aspiring youth who are keen to explore opportunities and make their mark. “The indication of these steps in Saudi Arabia can be seen from the introduction of creative hubs, such as Hayy, that act as an incubator for creatives and entrepreneurs, which will also help in further nurturing KSA artists, creators and entrepreneurs,” said Rami Hmadeh, managing partner at Serviceplan Middle East, a Dubai-based communications agency.
Innovation accelerators are also becoming more common in the Kingdom, such as Accelerate Makkah, a five-stage program that helps young people venture into the entrepreneurial scene. “These steps will help to contribute to a rise in entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia by reshaping, redefining, and helping to diversify its economy,” Hmadeh added.
“The number of Saudi women entrepreneurs has also grown significantly from 2007 to 2017, from 4 to 39 percent, which illustrates the positive impact of this new thinking. Saudi Arabia is rapidly evolving as one of the preferred destinations with a conducive environment for change, creativity and innovation,” Hmadeh said.
Around the world, countries are developing national plans to elevate entrepreneurship and support innovation. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is no exception.
“An innovative approach is essential for success,” said Dr. Kevin Cullen, KAUST’s vice president of innovation and economic development. “It takes creativity to translate ideas from the lab to the world. That creativity is embedded in science and it starts in the laboratory, and to push the boundaries of knowledge, you need to look at problems through a different lens.”
KAUST looks for entrepreneurs and scientists who push the boundaries of science and technology, thinking about problems in new ways. “A core part of KAUST’s mission is to instill an innovation mindset into the youth of the Kingdom,” he said. “Over 8,000 young people have taken part in our start-up accelerators and training programs, resulting in new ideas, new companies and new jobs. Youth are the impact-makers and the change-makers of the future, and we need to empower them and give them the tools to be able to make those changes.”
Mohammed Abdullah, president of the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, said that the region is experiencing significant growth in innovation and entrepreneurship. “By investing in minds, you are preparing the young talent for a new future,” he said. “According to Saudi’s Vision 2030, the Kingdom will continue investing in education and training students to excel in future jobs. Alongside that, the UAE Vision 2021 is based on building a new competitive knowledge economy.”
Art Jameel, Ithra’s Tanween creativity festival and Saudi Design Week are other examples of innovation. “They showcase the potential for design as a tool to solving problems of the future, across a range of sectors and industries,” Abdullah said.
“This is the work of the next generation, and now is the time to access these young minds and cultivate that creativity. In this region, we have to think of other ways to innovate, and you can’t do that if you don’t have people thinking creatively.”


Saudi Arabia conducts military exercises with 15 countries at Air Warfare Center

Updated 04 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia conducts military exercises with 15 countries at Air Warfare Center

  • Forces from Presidency of State Security, Saudi Arabian National Guard taking part
  • Military drills called Spears of Victory 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is conducting military exercises called Spears of Victory 2025 at the Air Warfare Center, involving forces from 15 countries.

Some of the Kingdom’s prominent military branches are participating in the drills, including forces from the Presidency of State Security and the Saudi Arabian National Guard.

The drills started this week at the Air Warfare Center, a military air facility located at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Dhahran in eastern Saudi Arabia.

Maj. Gen. Pilot Mohammed bin Ali Al-Omari, the exercise commander, said that the drills would consist of lectures and missions for air, technical, and support crews, to improve readiness and combat capability.

Al-Omari added that Spears of Victory 2025 will enhance the planning and implementation skills of participating forces, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It involves 10 days of conducting combat maneuvers and flights, as well as mixed tactical operations, some of which are conducted jointly with the forces of other countries to enhance cooperation, the SPA added.


Kazakhstan envoy on strengthening Saudi ties in politics, trade, food security

Madiyar Menilbekov, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia. (AN photo by Laoi ElKellawy)
Updated 03 February 2025
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Kazakhstan envoy on strengthening Saudi ties in politics, trade, food security

  • The envoy reflected on his arrival in the Kingdom as an ambassador in May 2024 and how impressed he had been with both the country and its Vision 2030 initiatives

RIYADH: Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Madiyar Menilbekov, has said his mission will be dedicated to furthering Saudi-Kazakh ties in politics, trade, culture, tourism and agriculture.

“As ambassador extraordinaire of the country of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I received instructions from our president to develop bilateral relations, first on the political side,” Menilbekov told Arab News.

“Thanks to our very strong relations in the political field, we had organized a working visit of our president to Riyadh in December of last year,” he added. The trip was President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Riyadh, during which he participated in the One Water Summit.

The ambassador said around 7,000 Saudis visited Kazakhstan each year, with more than 20,000 Kazakhs making the opposite journey. (AN photo by Laoi ElKellawy)

The ambassador said his secondary focus would be trade.

“I’m focusing on the development and the strengthening of trade and economic relations and, of course, the implementation of investment projects,” he said, adding he was working closely with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce. This year, two missions will be organized with entities from both countries paying a visit.

Menilbekov explained the Saudi delegation would make the trip in the first quarter of 2025, with the Kazakhstan delegation visiting the Kingdom at a later stage.

Saudi Arabia is fast-growing and implementing all tasks in Saudi Vision 2030, and (it is a) big achievement to host Expo 2030 and (the 2034) World Cup.

Madiyar Menilbekov, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Speaking about tourism, the envy said he hoped to enhance relations in this sector, pointing out the number of Saudi and Kazakh tourists was increasing annually.

“Before, it was a visit for pilgrims to Jeddah and Madinah, but last year and in 2023, I found a number of Kazakh tourists who are visiting Riyadh in big numbers, as well as AlUla and Madinah,” said Menilbekov.

The ambassador said around 7,000 Saudis visited Kazakhstan each year, with more than 20,000 Kazakhs making the opposite journey.

“Kazakh people love sports and events in Riyadh during Riyadh Season and other activities also,” he said, extending an invitation to all Saudis to visit Kazakhstan, whose key features include nature, mountains and historic cities.

Asked where immediate results of cooperation between the two countries could be seen, the ambassador pointed to renewable energy and food security/agriculture.

He cited cooperation with ACWA Power Co. to implement a common investment project in Kazakhstan with a 1 gigawatt wind power capacity.

On the topic of agriculture, the ambassador said Kazakhstan had plans to start investment projects with Saudi companies: “Taking into account the importance of food security in the near future, I think we can implement and start joint investment projects in agriculture. We want the situation to be win-win — one project in Kazakhstan and one project in Saudi Arabia.”

During the interview, the ambassador applauded the Kingdom for holding high-caliber summits and forums such as the Future Minerals Forum, the FII and LEAP Forum that brought world leaders and influential figures together in one hub.

It presented “a big opportunity to gather all decision-makers and all shareholders of this industry in one place,” he said.

During the recent Future Minerals Forum, he said, the Kazakhstan minister of industry met a lot of Western and US companies in Riyadh and said he could find other gatherings to meet such people.

“That’s why Riyadh is providing a good platform and good opportunity to meet other people,” Menilbekov added.

The envoy reflected on his arrival in the Kingdom as an ambassador in May 2024 and how impressed he had been with both the country and its Vision 2030 initiatives.

“My first impression was very positive; it was very nice. I have known Saudi Arabia for a long time; it is a very rich country in culture, heritage, and religion, and also the biggest economy in the Arab world,” he said.

Menilbekov first visited the Kingdom in 2003, during a trip to Umrah. He returned in 2012, accompanying Kazakhstan Minister of Foreign Affairs Yerzhan Kazykhanov to Riyadh, and in 2017 when he was consul general in Dubai and attended the first Arab, Islamic and US summit. He has also visited various provinces and cities, including Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Dammam and Tabuk.

“There are huge reforms and big changes in Saudi Vision 2030, big changes in economic social life, in tourism, in sport,” he said.

“Saudi is fast-growing and implementing all tasks in Saudi Vision 2030, and (it is a) big achievement to host Expo 2030 and (the 2034) World Cup.”

 


Riyadh to host second Human Capability Initiative Conference in April

Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan speaks at the Human Capability Initiative Conference in 2024. (SPA)
Updated 03 February 2025
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Riyadh to host second Human Capability Initiative Conference in April

  • Conference will bring together over 12,000 experts, officials, and decision-makers
  • Education Global Exhibition will showcase leading local and international universities and institutions

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Riyadh will host the second Human Capability Initiative Conference on April 13–14 under the theme “Beyond Readiness.”

In collaboration with the conference, the Ministry of Education will hold the Education Global Exhibition from April 13–16.

The themes of the event focus on learning, belonging, and action, addressing the critical need to develop human potential in an era of unprecedented global change.

Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan said: “The convening of the second edition of Human Capability Initiative is an affirmation of the importance of harnessing efforts and enriching global dialogue in a way that contributes to the development of the future of human capabilities.”

Expanding on the Education Global Exhibition, Al-Benyan added: “The exhibition will provide opportunities for local and international universities and leading companies to explore cutting-edge technologies, practices, and innovative educational programs, including advancements in artificial intelligence, thereby creating new investment opportunities to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.”

The conference will bring together over 12,000 experts, officials, and decision-makers and feature more than 300 speakers from governmental, private, and nonprofit sectors, global think tanks, and international organizations. They will share insights, best practices, and inspiring success stories from around the world.

Meanwhile, the Education Global Exhibition will showcase leading local and international universities and institutions, highlighting the latest technological advances and innovative programs shaping national and global education systems.

It will also feature workshops aimed at fostering knowledge exchange, sharing success stories among participants, and facilitating the signing of strategic agreements with prominent global educational institutions.


Deputy minister meets ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia

Updated 03 February 2025
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Deputy minister meets ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia

  • They discussed bilateral relations and other issues of common interest

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Finance for International Relations Khalid Bawazier recently met with Ambassador of India to the Kingdom Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and other issues of common interest, the Indian Embassy wrote in a post on X on Monday.

Meanwhile, Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, the governor of Jeddah, held cordial discussions with Consul General of India in Jeddah Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

 


Saudi crown prince receives Germany’s president in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Al-Yamamah Palace Monday
Updated 04 February 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives Germany’s president in Riyadh

  • Crown prince and Steinmeier discussed relations between their countries and ways to support them
  • Steinmeier arrived in the Kingdom on Sunday evening

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday. 

The two leaders held an official session of talks after the crown prince hosted a reception ceremony in honor of the president. 

Prince Mohammed and Steinmeier discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Regional and international developments and efforts made with regard to them were also discussed. 

Steinmeier arrived in the Kingdom on Sunday evening.