World’s great science minds inspire Saudi students at Mawhiba event

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The moderators joined industry leaders to discuss common challenges, overcoming blocks, staying balanced, and the future of the industry. (AN photo: Ali Mohammad Aldhahri)
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Updated 11 January 2023
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World’s great science minds inspire Saudi students at Mawhiba event

  • Eminent scientists and other experts shared details of their experiences and offered advice as part of the ‘Eyes on the Future’ initiative
  • They included members of the jury that will select the recipients of the inaugural UNESCO Al-Fozan International Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists

RIYADH: Eminent scientists from around the world met Saudi scientists of the future on Wednesday and shared with the students details of their journeys and experiences within the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, as part of Mawhiba’s “Eyes on the Future” initiative.

The experts included Swiss astronomer and Nobel Prize winner Didier Queloz, Colombian structural biologist Edna Matta-Camacho, and Fadji Zaouna Maina from Nigeria, an earth scientist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. They are the members of the jury that will select the recipients of the inaugural UNESCO Al-Fozan International Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists, along with Adah Almutairi, a Saudi-American professor at the University of California who was unable to attend the event.

“At Mawhiba we continuously aspire to enable talent and innovation, as they are the pillars to flourishing young minds,” said Nazeeh Alothmany, the organization’s deputy secretary general of corporate relations and business development, in his opening remarks.

“Through these initiatives, we work with our partners in all local and international sectors to provide an environment that promotes a passion for science and knowledge to the Kingdom’s youth.

“Our meeting today is a golden opportunity to platform global and international experiences from scientists, some of whom have received Nobel prizes and other internationally recognized awards, including the renowned Saudi scientist Adah Almutairi.”

As the STEM fields continue to evolve in an ever-changing world, Saudi authorities say they are investing billions in technology as a key element in the transformation of the country under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 blueprint for development and diversification. Events such as the one on Wednesday are therefore seen as an important part of this as they encourage the international exchange of knowledge and experiences.

The event was moderated by leading and emerging Saudi scientists, including: Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former senior systems engineer at Facebook and founding engineer of delivery service Nash; Moath Abu Aisha, a researcher and expert in the use of 3D printing in healthcare; and Fatimah Al-Ali, a petroleum engineer at Saudi Aramco with experience in data analytics, reservoir engineering and operations management.

Ghanima Abuhaimed, a doctoral student and researcher, said in a speech on behalf of the Saudi scientists of the future at the event: “The future is full of uncertainty … But being here today in a room full of leaders, future-shapers, minds who are constantly asking questions, I am hopeful.

“We can do it because we are not only aware of the complexities of the problems around us but we are lucky to have the opportunities to come up with creative and practical solutions to these problems.”

During the day’s sessions, the expert guests and industry leaders discussed common challenges they face, ways to overcome them, how to maintain a balanced approach, and their thoughts on the future.

One discussion focused on ethnic disparities and disadvantages based on race within STEM sectors, along with the problems that can arise as a result of language barriers as the field becomes more global in nature.

Matta-Camacho and Maina talked about some of the difficulties they have faced as women of color in science, navigating industries traditionally dominated by white males.

“A challenge is that you might not look like other people but that’s who you are,” said Maina. “That’s your power today … Scientists are curious; we want to understand the universe and the world today, and you have your own structure and background, so just bring that to the table.”

Matta-Camacho, who is from Colombian but moved to Canada to pursue the greater opportunities available to her there, is the co-founder of Immigrant and International Women in Science, an organization dedicated to building a community of women working in science fields in Canada, in which they can share their experiences and help each other overcome language barriers, navigate the system, find work opportunities, and much more.

“When I was growing up (in Colombia), we didn’t have so much recognition regarding what career to study … I think it’s really important to focus on education from an early age and I think that what you’re doing here is fantastic, to nurture people’s education and potential in different STEM fields,” said Matta-Camacho.

The work of a scientist never ends, Queloz said. Even after winning his Nobel Prize for Physics in 2019, he said he felt no great sense of accomplishment but rather an aching need to continue to discover.

“I feel like I’m not completely done,” he said. “I know I have the greatest award you can imagine but I still feel like a student.

“Science is our emotional connection to the world. This is what pushes us to do what we do and it’s not the easiest path in life trying to find out the mystery of the world … but if you have a little bit of success in what you’re trying to explore, it gives you some joy.”

Mawhiba, more formally known as the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, is a non-profit endowment organization that aims to identify and nurture talented and gifted students in scientific fields in the Kingdom.


First flights carrying Hajj pilgrims from Turkiye land in Saudi Arabia

Updated 30 April 2025
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First flights carrying Hajj pilgrims from Turkiye land in Saudi Arabia

  • Qualified staff fluent in several languages and equipped with the latest technology will help simplify entry procedures for pilgrims

Madinah: The first flights carrying Hajj pilgrims from Turkiye arrived at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Wednesday. The annual Islamic pilgrimage is set to take place this year between June 4 and 9.

Authorities are providing qualified staff who are fluent in several languages and equipped with the latest technology to help simplify entry procedures for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported, and are ready to assist people arriving by land and sea as well as air.

An estimated 1.8 million pilgrims participated in Hajj last year.


Jeddah communication conference explores anime’s digital evolution

Updated 30 April 2025
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Jeddah communication conference explores anime’s digital evolution

  • The session focused on anime’s shift from traditional television broadcasts and DVDs to digital platforms, including live streaming, instant subtitling and cloud-based production

RIYADH: The eighth session of the Digital Communication Conference, titled “Anime in the Digital Space,” explored the transformation of Japanese anime over the past two decades, highlighting the impact of digital innovation and the internet.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the session focused on anime’s shift from traditional television broadcasts and DVDs to digital platforms, including live streaming, instant subtitling and cloud-based production.

Streaming giants such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Funimation were highlighted as pivotal players in the transition, offering translated or dubbed episodes immediately upon release and funding original series such as “Devilman Crybaby” and “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.”

Speakers in the session, including Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary, said that social media and online forums have opened the door to unprecedented engagement among fans, as well as community and cultural interaction, since audiences now take part in evaluating episodes.

Concerns were raised that heavy dependence on technology could erode the handcrafted aesthetic that defines traditional anime.

Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning interest in manga and anime, which dates back to the 1970s, is helping to usher in a revolution in cultural production.

Japanese art forms have captivated audiences of all ages, gaining significant popularity in recent years. Their ability to combine entertainment, culture and education has made them of great interest to Saudi society.

To support this interest, the General Entertainment Authority has hosted events like the Saudi Anime Expo, drawing international visitors.

In line with these efforts, the ministries of culture and education launched the Manga Education program to nurture student talent, as well as integrate arts and culture into public education.
 


Muslim World League chief meets UK Islamic leaders in Madinah

Updated 30 April 2025
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Muslim World League chief meets UK Islamic leaders in Madinah

  • Delegation visits International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography
  • Visitors reaffirm support for Palestinian cause, call for end to genocide in Gaza

LONDON: The secretary-general of the Muslim World League, Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, met British Islamic leaders in Madinah on Wednesday to discuss issues facing the UK’s Muslim community.

The visitors praised the MWL’s important role in the Islamic world and among Muslim minorities in Europe and the UK, highlighting its work to preserve cultural and religious identities.

They also noted that King Charles welcomed Al-Issa as the first Arab and Muslim figure from outside the UK to visit Buckingham Palace after his coronation.

The delegation visited the MWL-affiliated International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography, which tells the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s life.

During the talks they reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian cause and called for an “immediate end to the genocide being perpetrated against the people of Gaza by the brutal war machine of the Israeli occupation government.”

Gaza should be a symbol of unity, not division, among Muslim communities, they said, according to an MWL statement.

The delegation commended the 2019 Charter of Makkah, saying it helped foster interaction with non-Muslim audiences and promoted moderation in addressing contemporary issues.


Saudi deputy foreign minister receives Russia’s envoy in Riyadh

Updated 30 April 2025
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Saudi deputy foreign minister receives Russia’s envoy in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Russian Ambassador Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The pair discussed relations between their countries and other topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

Also on Wednesday, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki met Digital Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya in Islamabad, the diplomat wrote on X.

They discussed the importance of digital transformation and other topics of interest.


Saudi Arabia welcomes Rwanda, DRC declaration to draft peace deal

Updated 30 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes Rwanda, DRC declaration to draft peace deal

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has welcomed the signing of a declaration of principles between the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it appreciated the diplomatic efforts made by the two sides and looked forward to their commitment to the declaration, which would enhance security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The foreign ministers of Rwanda and the DRC signed a declaration at the US State Department on Friday. They agreed to draft a peace deal by May 2, respecting each other’s sovereignty and refraining from supporting armed groups after fighting resumed in the DRC’s mineral-rich east in October.