Saudi Arabia’s Mawhiba, KAUST launch intensive training forum for talented students

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With 185 male and female students, the forum is considered the largest training forum for international Olympiad students. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 June 2022
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Saudi Arabia’s Mawhiba, KAUST launch intensive training forum for talented students

  • Foundation acting secretary-general hails Saudi success at ISEF 2022

JEDDAH: The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology on Sunday launched an intensive training forum for Mawhiba gifted students.

Held at the university, the launching ceremony was attended by Prof. Tony F. Chan, KAUST’s president; Prof. Faisal Al-Duweesh, Mawhiba’s chairman of the board of directors; and Dr. Amal bint Abdullah Al-Hazzaa, acting secretary-general of Mawhiba.

The intensive training forum, in cooperation with KAUST, stems from the role of the Mawhiba in nurturing gifted male and female students, and providing them with training programs that develop their skills as well as qualify them to compete in international competitions.

The forum will be implemented in three phases and will continue until July 31 in the fields of mathematics, informatics, science, physics, chemistry and biology.

HIGHLIGHT

The intensive training forum, in cooperation with KAUST, stems from the role of the Mawhiba in nurturing gifted male and female students, and providing them with training programs that develop their skills as well as qualify them to compete in international competitions.

With 185 male and female students, the forum is considered the largest training forum for international Olympiad students. It includes many levels of both theoretical and practical training. It also includes diagnostic and candidacy tests.

The participating students were distributed among the targeted disciplines, with 45 students in mathematics, 35 in informatics, 31 in chemistry, 27 in physics, 25 in biology and 25 in science.

Participants will be trained by 23 skilled Saudi and international trainers, under the supervision of six supervisors, with 312 training hours for each selected field of study and 1,872 total training hours.

Dr. Najah Ashry, vice president and senior associate to the president for strategic national advancement at KAUST, welcomed Mawhiba’s selection of KAUST as a venue for the intensive training forum, stressing the university’s pride in previous programs that contributed to the participation of 16 students — and eight prize winners — at ISEF 2022.

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Hazzaa said that Mawhiba is keen to qualify the country’s talents and develop their skills in all the forum’s scientific fields.

“The successes that the Saudi talented students, trained at Mawhiba, have achieved over the last 10 years were all a result of the qualitative and continued training programs that the foundation offers to the students throughout their educational journey,” she said.

Al-Hazzaa added that all factors related to scientific knowledge as well as individual skills will be taken into consideration when offering courses to ensure that students continue to stand out in international competitions.

She said that talented Saudi students have won more than 500 awards and letters of appreciation in 20 competitions and Olympiads since 2010.

With 22 major awards, Saudi students made history last month with impressive success at the Regeneron International Scientific and Engineering Fair 2022 in Georgia, US.


Health campaign promotes quality care in Saudi Arabia

Updated 04 November 2024
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Health campaign promotes quality care in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The Ministry of Health has launched a campaign to promote health by enhancing access to and the quality and efficiency of health services and raising awareness of health risks, the Saudi Press Agency reported Monday.

The campaign “A Vibrant, Healthy Nation” introduces a modern healthcare model, offering integrated, individual-centered services aligned with Vision 2030’s goal of fostering a healthy society.

The ministry is committed to “enhancing public health, improving quality of life, and raising the Kingdom’s global healthcare standing.”

The campaign highlights the health transformation initiative’s positive impacts and informs citizens about its main features, aiming to engage all segments of society, SPA reported.

It emphasizes a shift from treating illness to prevention, involving primary care doctors and early detection programs.


Saudi environment ministry launches program to develop green tech

Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi environment ministry launches program to develop green tech

  • Scheme seeks new ways to repurpose wastewater, looks at impact of microplastics

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has opened applications for a new program to find ways to develop sustainable technologies in Saudi Arabia.

The Sustainable Innovation Fellowship Program aims to find ways to repurpose by-products from water treatment for the benefit of the environment; develop sustainable technologies for recycling membranes used in water treatment; and explore methods to reuse treated wastewater in desert and arid regions.

Supported by the Environment Fund and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, the fellowship program will also assess the environmental impact of microplastics in water treatment plants, sewage, and wastewater.

In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is also introducing new e-services in accordance with international standards.


Industry meets creativity at Athar festival in Riyadh

Updated 04 November 2024
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Industry meets creativity at Athar festival in Riyadh

  • With workshops, discussions, and awards, the festival aims to drive growth in Saudi Arabia’s creative sectors

The second Athar Saudi Festival of Creativity will take place in Riyadh from Nov. 5 to 6.

Hosted by UAE-based Motivate Media Group and communications consultancy TRACCS, the festival will gather over 1,500 professionals and leaders from the creative marketing industry, featuring 100 regional and international speakers.

Ian Fairservice, managing partner and group editor in chief of Motivate Media Group, will chair the event, alongside Vice Chairman Mohammed Al-Ayed, CEO of TRACCS.

Pre-festival activities began on Nov. 3 with the Young Talent Academies, including the Student Creative Academy (in partnership with the Middle East Communications Network), the Student Marketers Academy, the NextGen Creative Academy, and the NextGen Marketers Academy.

These academies, featuring keynote sessions from industry experts, workshops, and a 24-hour hackathon, are open to full-time university students aged 18 to 25 and professionals under 30 in creative communications, marketing, or advertising.

The festival will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday with panel discussions, presentations, and fireside chats focused on redefining and growing the creative landscape in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and beyond, covering various sectors such as sports, entertainment, and tourism.

The event will conclude with the Athar Awards ceremony on the evening of Nov. 6.

Notable speakers include Sir Martin Sorrell, founder and executive chairman of S4 Capital PLC; Matt McKie, director of marketing for Manchester United; Waseem Kashan, executive director of marketing at ROSHN Group; Yahya Hamidaddin, vice president of corporate communications at ACWA Power; and Houda Tohme, CEO of Havas Media Middle East.

Sessions and keynotes will explore themes such as purpose-driven marketing, brand growth strategies, artificial intelligence, technology, cross-sector innovation, and unlocking creative potential.


Saudi Arabia and Iraq sign MoU on military cooperation

Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia and Iraq sign MoU on military cooperation

  • Two defense ministers reviewed longstanding relations between their countries, focusing on ways to enhance defense ties

RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Al-Abbasi signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday aimed at strengthening cooperation in the military field.

The agreement, signed during a high-level meeting in Riyadh, represents a significant step forward in defense collaboration between the Kingdom and Iraq, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During their discussions, the two ministers reviewed the longstanding relations between their countries, focusing on ways to enhance defense ties.

They emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to foster regional security and stability, particularly amid ongoing regional tensions.

Both ministers discussed recent developments and shared efforts aimed at de-escalating conflicts, prioritizing actions that support peace and security in the region.

The MoU establishes a framework for increased collaboration on military matters, allowing Saudi Arabia and Iraq to address shared security challenges more effectively and pursue mutual goals in defense, SPA added. 


Saudi Islamic affairs minister receives Chinese envoy

Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi Islamic affairs minister receives Chinese envoy

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al-Asheikh received Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom Chang Hua in Riyadh on Monday.

During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed issues of common interest, particularly those related to Islamic work and promoting moderation and peaceful coexistence, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Ambassador of Iran to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati in Riyadh on Monday. They discussed bilateral relations and other topics of common interest.