RIYADH: Saudi women have not lost sight of their presence in the oil sector, which is the Kingdom’s most important source to the national economy.
Saudi Aramco committed in the early 1960s to build two primary schools for girls every year in the Eastern Province.
The first two schools were built in Khobar and Rahima in September 1964 and Saudi Aramco saw a promising future for Saudi women and began a long journey aimed at empowering them by hiring Saudi women for various jobs in the oil company.
It was Najat Al-Husayni more than five decades ago that was the first Saudi woman with a university degree to join the company, and since then Saudi Aramco has continued to hire women in professional jobs and train them in all areas of the company’s work, from general planning to reservoir management.
Moreover, Saudi Aramco put its qualified female cadres in advanced positions of its engineering and technical work to demonstrate that Saudi women can offer a lot in various fields of innovation and creativity.
Just as the company dug deep into the ground to excavate its bounties, it also did so in exploring the best that Saudi Arabia has to offer and to acquire the nation’s wealth from its precious human resources, and worked on developing and qualifying it to promote localization and employment experiences.
A group of Saudi females held advanced positions in the company in the early 1960s and 1970s, including Naela Al-Mousali, the first petroleum engineer at Saudi Aramco.
In the early 1980’s, large numbers of Saudi professionals poured into the company, although during that period, few people found professional opportunities in oil fields and production facilities, apart from the establishment of the Center for Computer Exploration and Petroleum Engineering, and keeping pace with the computer dependency in the company.
This provided Saudi women with more job opportunities, and some other notable women, including Nabila Al-Tunisi, Samia Al-Idrisi, Dr. Soraya Al-Areed, Huda Al-Ghosn, and Fatima Al-Awami, did scholarship programs to study petroleum engineering in the United States at Aramco’s expense in the early 1980s and contributed to the work of the reservoir projects in Al-Safaniya, Shaybah, Moneefa, and other reservoirs.
The distinguished pioneers in Saudi Aramco have remained part of the company’s product in its journey to support the Saudi people and stimulate their potential.
Engineering, technical and scientific works have recently emerged in Ras Tanura, with luminous patterns for Saudi females to offer exceptional work experience.
Nine employees are currently working at the refinery and in Ras Tanura, and others are working in the laboratories there.
In a growing number of facilities and in an increasing number of administrative regions, the female workforce is able to find jobs on the front lines of the company’s core business of exploration and production, refining and chemicals, mechanical engineering, chemistry, petroleum engineers, labortaory experts, geology, geophysics, technology and information protection, safety inspections, firefighting, and loss prevention.
And at the Ras Tanura refinery, engineer Maria Al-Faraj contributes to finding solutions that maintain the continuity of the work safely and effectively, and she has been given a great deal of responsibilities.
“My colleagues at the refinery welcome me and cooperate with me,” says Al-Faraj, who holds a degree in mechanical engineering and business administration.
“Wherever we work in the company, somehow we will all deal with the downstream business chain. Therefore, the field contribution and achieving benefits and solutions for the company to help in the success of our business,” she added.
Mechanical engineer Alaa Al-Ahmad believes that daily work represents one of the most important experiences for applying knowledge and expanding the horizon of skills, by working with colleagues on some of the company’s largest projects, such as the integrated manufacturing business management system.
“The theory and practical experience go hand in hand and complement each other,” she said.
Al-Ahmad managed to do her job confidently in an environment from a predominantly young age. She is passionate about engineering and this enabled her to overcome the many challenges involved in working at the refinery.
The woman in Aramco were able to prove themselves and, consider Moudi Al-Alawi, for example, she was responsible for planning the entire Ras Tanura refinery and communicated daily with the department of planning and regulating the supply of oil in Dhahran to ensure that the refinery meets customer demands.
“When I came to the Ras Tanura refinery, the facilities planning department told me it would be very difficult, so I have to be tough,” Al-Alawi said.
“I was able to prove myself in this environment that, despite its difficulty, the staff’s search is characterized by support and cooperation. It also helped me build my communication skills in this difficult environment,” she added.
Among the team working in the laboratory in Ras Tanura is Dima Ismail, a laboratory scientist with seven years experience who analyzes water samples.
Ismail has contributed mainly to the modernization of systems and methods in the refinery laboratory, and also trained her colleagues on using laboratory equipment.
“Our work is very sensitive in the refinery,” said Ismail, adding that “results are urgently needed, and if there is any delay, it affects the course of work. On the other hand, this place is great to start your career, as it is like university, you can learn a lot here.”
Meanwhile, regarding attention to the smallest details, which is a vital part of chemical work, Asma Al-Fahd, who focuses on gas chromatographic separation devices, inspects all the tools before operating any equipment, and changes all parts that must be changed from the equipment to avoid failure.
Al-Fahd said: “Working here imposes a certain change, but I thank God because here I apply everything I learned at university.”
Saudi Aramco empowers women in engineering support for oil sector
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Saudi Aramco empowers women in engineering support for oil sector
- Saudi Aramco committed in the early 1960s to build two primary schools for girls every year in the Eastern Province
- It put its qualified female cadres in advanced positions of its engineering and technical work
KSrelief continues humanitarian work in Gaza, Jordan and Yemen
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) humanitarian activities continue with the delivery of food and medical services in Gaza, Jordan and Yemen.
At the Gaza Strip, the Saudi aid agency deployed a convoy of 30 trucks loaded with 10,560 shelter bags filled with essential supplies allocated for the Palestinian people, and to be distributed through the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization.
In Jordan’s Zaatari Camp, KSrelief clinics provided medical services to 2,483 refugee patients. The internal medicine specialists treated 122 patients suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma; pediatricians received 285 children, while the emergency medical doctors treated 253 patients, among others.
In Hadhramaut governorate of Yemen, KSrelief delivered a new batch of hemodialysis solutions and supplies to the Fatima Babtain Center for kidney failure patients in Sayoun.
Riyadh Zoo returns with new interactive experiences as part of Riyadh Season
- Entry is free for all, visitors can book tickets through the webook platform
RIYADH: Home to more than 1,400 animals from 190 species, Riyadh Zoo is back for its third year as part of Riyadh Season, offering visitors of all ages new interactive and educational experiences.
Beginning Oct. 30, the zoo opened its doors to the public free of charge. Visitors can book tickets through the webook platform and explore a variety of animals in natural habitats that mimic their original environments.
Among the new experiences is “Croc Cave,” where guests can safely observe crocodiles from secure platforms. The “Bird Zone” features a range of exotic birds, allowing visitors to engage with them up close and even feed them. Another highlight is the “Kangaroo Yard,” where guests can interact with and take photos of the famous Australian animals.
A new bird show has also been introduced, where trained birds perform entertaining and skilful tricks and routines, delighting the audience. The zoo’s educational offerings have been enhanced with an interactive farm experience, allowing visitors to learn more about nature and animal life through hands-on activities.
Riyadh Zoo operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and spans 161,000 square meters. The venue also includes food stalls and mobile food trucks to cater to visitors throughout the day.
Located in Al-Malaz neighborhood, it is one of the key attractions of Riyadh Season.
Seung-Min shin, a frequent visitor at the zoo, told Arab News she had taken her son who was deeply interested in the animals’ various behaviors.
“The flying birds and the absence of cages for each animal — where we can go inside and touch them — that’s the beauty here,” she added.
Visitor Fatima Hashim, emphasized the educational value for young visitors on offer, saying: “Seeing animals in real life helps children learn about animals, their nature, habitats, and the different types of mammals and birds. The experience was wonderful … the staff at the zoo focused on teaching children how to feed the animals, helping them have the full experience.”
According to Riyadh Zoo’s website, several rare and endangered animals have been born so far at the site, and the zoo also witnessed the Gulf’s first animal birth by cesarean section.
Riyadh Zoo’s layout includes zones designed to accommodate visitors with disabilities, with fewer stairs and more flat surfaces, allowing everyone to explore the park with ease and enjoy a complete experience.
Riyadh Zoo was originally established in 1957 as a private menagerie for King Saud and the Saudi royal family. It opened to the public in 1987.
How Saudi Arabia is helping to drive equitable energy transitions in Africa
- Saudi ‘Empowering Africa’ initiative bridges energy inequality through leveraging the continent’s untapped solar, wind, and hydropower
- The initiative aims to uplift communities and foster sustainable growth by reducing reliance on imported fuels and building local infrastructure
BAKU: As world leaders at this year’s UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, discuss the responsibility of developed nations to finance climate action in vulnerable regions, South-South cooperation is emerging as a transformative force driving equitable energy transitions.
Saudi Arabia has established itself as a leader in this collaboration between countries in the Global South, leveraging its resources, expertise, and strategic partnerships to unlock Africa’s renewable energy potential and shape a more sustainable future.
In November last year, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed groundbreaking memorandums of understanding with five African nations — Ethiopia, Senegal, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda.
The agreements, finalized during the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Conference in Riyadh, aim to strengthen collaboration in oil, gas, and renewables, representing a holistic approach to energy development.
“These partnerships symbolize more than economic exchanges; they represent our shared commitment to sustainable growth,” Prince Abdulaziz said at the event. “Africa’s energy potential is vast, and Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting its development for mutual prosperity.”
The five agreements align with Africa’s distinct energy opportunities. For instance, Ethiopia seeks to bolster its hydropower infrastructure, while Rwanda is focused on advancing innovation in oil demand management and integrating renewable energy.
These MoUs also emphasize Saudi Arabia’s role in supporting localized solutions in line with global climate goals.
To bridge the energy equity gap on the African continent, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy last year introduced the Empowering Africa initiative. The project leverages Africa’s untapped solar, wind, and hydropower resources to provide clean and reliable electricity to underserved regions.
This effort plays a key role in improving energy access in areas where electricity deficits hinder economic development and quality of life.
DID YOUKNOW?
• Africa has 10 TW of untapped solar energy and 350 GW of hydroelectric power.
• Continent posses more than 70 percent of the world’s cobalt, a vital mineral for green technologies.
According to a 2022 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 75 percent of the world’s population without access to electricity, making it the most energy-deficient continent.
The African Development Bank recently noted that Africa needs $130-170 billion annually to close its infrastructure gap, facing a financing shortfall of up to $108 billion.
Abid Malik, the geo head for Central Asia at the Saudi energy leader ACWA Power, said the projects associated with the Empowering Africa initiative “aren’t just about power” but also focus on “community upliftment and sustainable growth.”
On the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Malik told Arab News: “By reducing dependency on imported fuels and creating local infrastructure, these efforts provide resilience against global energy volatility.”
African countries also have more than a fifth of the world’s reserves in minerals critical for the energy transition, according to the UN Trade and Development.
These minerals, including cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements, make the continent crucial to the global renewable energy supply chain. Such resources are foundational to technologies like electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines.
Despite this, much of Africa’s value-added manufacturing in green technology occurs elsewhere, and the continent captures less than half of its potential revenue from minerals.
Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of UNCTAD, has warned that critical minerals could create a “development trap” for resource-rich, vulnerable countries due to commodity dependence.
She stressed the urgent need for these nations, which rely on raw materials for most of their export revenue, to move up global value chains.
Saudi Arabia has therefore prioritized partnerships that tap into Africa’s rich mineral resources while fostering localized value creation.
“These collaborations are about ensuring Africa benefits from its own resources,” said Malik of ACWA Power. “The focus is not just on extraction but on building industries that create jobs, generate revenue, and drive technological innovation.”
One such cooperation with Chad aims to integrate solar technology into existing energy frameworks while developing mining infrastructure to support critical mineral extraction. These efforts reflect a forward-looking strategy that aligns African nations with the Paris Agreement while driving economic growth.
Opinion
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Indeed, Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change focuses on the development of carbon markets, which are carbon pricing mechanisms allowing governments as well as non-state actors to trade greenhouse gas emission credits.
Under this article, parties can voluntarily cooperate to meet emission reduction targets outlined in their nationally determined contributions. This allows a party to transfer carbon credits earned through emissions reductions to help others achieve their climate goals.
And as financing gaps remain a key challenge hampering progress in the Global South, Saudi Arabia is leading efforts to deploy innovative mechanisms, including voluntary carbon markets.
Riham El-Gizy, the CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Voluntary Carbon Markets Company, stressed the significance of directing climate finance to Africa.
“Only 2 percent of global climate finance reaches the Global South. This needs to change,” El-Gizy told Arab News at COP29.
Although Africa accounts for nine of the world’s 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, the continent receives a mere 3-4 percent of global climate finance, according to the African Development Bank.
To boost funding for local African communities, Saudi-backed initiatives, through voluntary carbon markets, are enabling the continent’s countries to monetize their carbon reduction efforts.
“By providing a platform for rural renewable energy projects, we’re creating a pipeline for funding that directly benefits local communities,” said El-Gizy.
This approach not only reduces emissions but also empowers rural areas with much-needed resources, bridging gaps in both finance and energy access.
Saudi Arabia’s leadership in South-South cooperation offers a roadmap for inclusive energy transitions. Its strategy, spanning renewable energy, critical minerals, and carbon markets, underscores the power of equitable partnerships in addressing the climate crisis.
As COP29 unfolds, the emphasis on South-South collaboration reaffirms that Africa’s potential as a renewable energy leader can only be realized through partnerships that prioritize shared growth.
Saudi Arabia’s investments in Africa showcase how collaboration can drive sustainable development, paving the way for a cleaner, more inclusive global energy future.
Saudi aid agency expands orphan support in Jordan
- The program exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian mission in the region through its relief arm, KSrelief
AMMAN: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has distributed its latest round of monthly stipends to orphaned children from underprivileged Jordanian and Syrian refugee families across Jordan’s regions of Karak, Tafila, Maan and Aqaba.
Working with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, the Saudi aid agency provided year-long support covering basic living expenses, educational materials, Eid clothing and recreational activities. The program aims to eventually support 1,000 orphans across Jordan.
Beneficiaries are selected from both local Jordanian communities and Syrian refugee populations, ensuring aid reaches those most in need.
The program exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian mission in the region through its relief arm, KSrelief.
40 scouts finish the Wood Badge advanced course
- The course also included how to plan and execute outdoor trips
RIYADH: Forty scouts from various sectors of the Saudi Arabian Boy Scout Association completed the Wood Badge advanced course, with an average of 27 hours of training in theoretical and practical aspects.
The course, organized by Masar Development Association in Al-Ahsa, included working on the role, responsibilities, duties and needs of the scout unit leader and methods and means for training boys, as well as leadership concepts, patterns and theories.
It also covered public relations, scouting and boys’ development, problem-solving methods, youth participation in decision-making, planning methods, tools and techniques, the concept, styles and theories of scouting, protection from harm, and resource development.
The course also included how to plan and execute outdoor trips, including methods for navigation, setting up tents, secret signs, codes, map drawing, estimations, outdoor cooking, organized hiking, and report writing.
