Financial district in Riyadh earns SmartScore Neighborhood certification
With this certification, the financial district becomes the first development in the Middle East and Africa to receive WiredScore’s SmartScore Neighborhood certification
Updated 22 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Abdullah Financial District obtained the SmartScore Neighborhood certification by WiredScore, the world’s leading authority on smart building technologies, for its excellence in advanced digital infrastructure that provides a robust network, sustainability and seamlessness at the level of living, work and leisure.
With this certification, the financial district becomes the first development in the Middle East and Africa to receive WiredScore’s SmartScore Neighborhood certification.
The recognition comes after a rigorous evaluation and certification process that started in Sept. 2023, when WiredScore announced at a Cityscape Global event in Riyadh that KAFD met the pre-certification criteria for the SmartScore Neighborhood certification.
Gates Foundation ‘appreciates’ Saudi Arabia’s leadership amid global aid funding cuts
Mark Suzman tells Arab News that regional office in Riyadh will help achieve health, development goals
Bill Gates announces he will distribute $200 billion by 2045 in effort to give away almost all his wealth
Updated 9 sec ago
Jonathan Lessware
LONDON: Saudi Arabia is playing a “growing global leadership role” as the US and European countries drastically cut foreign aid and development funding, the Gates Foundation CEO told Arab News on Thursday.
Speaking as his organization announced a new strategy to give away $200 billion over the next 20 years, Mark Suzman said a planned regional office in Riyadh would help the foundation achieve its long-term goals.
He said the foundation, which is chaired by the Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, would continue pursuing the eradication of polio, a campaign that Saudi Arabia has pledged hundreds of million of dollars toward.
The Gates Foundation “deeply appreciated” the leadership shown by the Kingdom “as some of the traditional donors are pulling back,” Suzman said.
The foundation’s new timeline was decided long before the Trump administration radically cut foreign aid spending in January, followed by the UK, France and other European countries.
In light of those cuts, the foundation is “very strongly making the case, whether it’s in Washington, D.C., or London, or Paris, or Berlin, that with the resources that are still focused on development, it is imperative that they get applied to the highest impact opportunities,” Suzman said.
Those opportunities include the Gavi Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — two programs that are estimated to have saved at least 80 million lives in the last 25 years.
Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman said he hopes that polio will be eradicated within three to five years. (AP/File)
Suzman said both programs needed replenishing in the coming months and that he hoped even with the fiscal challenges those governments are facing they would still provide funding.
“At the same time, though, we are really appreciative of the way in which not just Saudi Arabia but other countries in the Gulf have been leaning in and showing a much bigger global leadership role,” he added.
Suzman said he hopes that within three to five years, polio, which is now only endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, will become the second disease after smallpox to be eradicated.
“For us, it’s full steam ahead, and we actually hope that will then free up resources, not just from us, but from growing development partners like the Kingdom or like others in the Gulf, such as the UAE and Qatar.”
He said those resources could then be reallocated to other areas of global health and development, including agricultural and financial inclusion.
Bill Gates said he didn't want people to say he "died rich," as he announced a new timeline to give away his wealth over the next 20 years. (AP/File)
During the announcement of the polio campaign funding in April last year, the foundation also said it would open a new Middle East office in Riyadh at the Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City.
Suzman said the decision to open a Saudi office was due to the polio partnership but also other areas of cooperation with the Kingdom.
The office, which is expected to open early next year, would be part of a growing global network that builds partnerships intended to focus on “long-term health and development goals,” he said.
The foundation also partners with Saudi Arabia on the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, which aims to reduce poverty in Islamic countries.
In November, Gates and the Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation, known as Misk, announced the Challenge for Change program to support nonprofits and social enterprises in the Kingdom.
A Gates Foundation announcement on Thursday said Bill Gates would dramatically speed up the disbursement of almost all of his fortune.
The organization aims to distribute $200 billion by 2045 in what it described as the largest philanthropic commitment in modern history. The foundation would then come to an end.
“People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them,” Gates said as he marked the foundation’s 25th anniversary.
He also warned that decades of progress in reducing death rates from disease and poverty would be reversed due to the cuts in aid funding by governments in the US and Europe.
“It’s going to be millions more deaths because of the resources,” Gates told Reuters.
Teucrium Oliverianum plant helping to mitigate desertification in Saudi Arabia’s north
Known locally as Al-Aihlan or Ahneh, it has spread extensively throughout the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve
Updated 09 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The perennial herbaceous plant Teucrium Oliverianum has spread extensively throughout Saudi Arabia’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, indicating a balanced ecosystem, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Citing experts, the report noted that the reserve has had a remarkable expansion in healthy and stable vegetation cover, “the best condition since its establishment in 2018.”
This has helped to combat desertification and soil erosion, the SPA reported.
Known locally as Al-Aihlan or Ahneh, the plant has long, thin stems and delicate leaves, coated with fine bristles that help minimize water loss, adding to its adaptability to harsh environments.
Renowned for its striking blue-violet flowers, Teucrium oliverianum has become an iconic symbol of the flora of the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve. (SPA)
Native to the Arabian Peninsula, the plant is highly valued for grazing. It also provides shelter and sustenance for various small desert animals and insects, making it an essential part of the natural food chain.
In an earlier report, SPA quoted wild plant expert Abdullah Al-Barrak as saying Teucrium Oliverianum was also a valuable food source for honeybees.
Renowned for its evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves and striking blue-violet flowers, the plant has become an iconic symbol of the flora of the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve.
Teucrium oliverianum also provides shelter and sustenance for various small desert animals and insects, making it an essential part of the natural food chain. (SPA)
The 91,500 sq. km reserve, formerly known as Al-Taysiyah Natural Reserve, is the second-largest of its kind in the Kingdom, spread across regions of Hail, Qassim, Al-Jouf, Northern Borders and the Eastern Province.
The reserve’s vegetation cover has surged from 1.5 percent in 2018 to an impressive 6.7 percent, and now has over 179 plant species, including 113 seasonal and 66 perennial varieties, officials have said.
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is driving Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurship growth, with startup founders using the technology to address local challenges, boost efficiency, and advance Vision 2030’s economic goals. Benefiting from supportive government policies and emerging talent, these startups are positioning the Kingdom as a rising global tech hub.
One such firm is AIYAH, which is using AI to bridge the gap between startups, talent, investors and academia. The company’s mission aligns with Vision 2030’s goals, supporting Saudization and offering a gateway to authentic Saudi experience.
“Accelerating the achievement of the goals of Vision 2030 has to be number one,” AIYAH co-founder and CEO Sahiqa Bennett told Arab News.
“That’s basically why AIYAH was built, to accelerate the process. Those goals are linked with innovation, getting innovative startups in or solutions that they are looking for and talent.”
Founded in 2024 by Bennett and Naila Kiani, AIYAH serves as an AI-powered talent solution and a gateway to the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.
AIYAH founders Sahiqa Bennett and Naila Kiani. (Supplied)
Before launching the platform, Bennett spent more than two years researching the virtual world and ways to connect it with the physical arena for human interaction.
Bennett explains that her decision to co-found AIYAH stemmed from frequent questions she received about her fascination with Saudi Arabia and its booming tech scene.
“Why are you looking to be in Saudi Arabia? Why come to Saudi Arabia so much, and what’s happening in the Middle East that’s not happening here?” she said. “People almost didn’t believe some of the things I was telling them.”
Through her research, Bennett was struck by how many people did not fully understand Vision 2030, despite being familiar with its broader concepts. Many were unsure of how to tap into the opportunities emerging within the Kingdom.
She notes that her research process included “talking to people in the Kingdom and out of the Kingdom, asking if they know enough about Saudi and Vision 2030.”
Several other factors influenced Bennett’s decision to co-found AIYAH, with one of the most pressing being the challenge of finding and placing the right talent.
She encountered many stories of recruiters attempting to fill thousands of positions — sometimes as many as 10,000 — but struggling to identify suitable candidates.
At the same time, she frequently heard from job seekers trying to enter the Saudi market through traditional platforms such as LinkedIn, only to receive no responses or interview opportunities.
“I thought I need to build the gateway that literally opens the door and welcomes you in, gives you a chance to see what’s happening, and accelerates how you get involved and how you become visible, and have a chance at least,” she said.
This disconnect between recruiters and job seekers revealed a broader inefficiency in the hiring process. Bennett emphasizes how difficult it is for applicants to stand out when they are competing with hundreds — or even thousands — of others for the same opportunity.
Saudi Arabia had an overall unemployment rate of 3.7 percent in the third quarter of 2024, down 0.5 percentage points from the same period in 2023, according to the General Authority for Statistics.
This improvement came alongside a rise in overall labor force participation — including Saudis and non-Saudis — which reached 66.6 percent, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 0.2 percentage points and a 0.4-point gain from the previous quarter.
On the employer side, Bennett notes that recruiters were overwhelmed. Many simply could not manage the volume of applicants, making it difficult to identify the right candidates amid overflowing inboxes and unfiltered submissions.
“There are so many parts to the recruitment process that are just so disheartening,” she said.
“We’re trying to put dignity back into the process,” she added. “It’s actually disheartening applying for jobs and not hearing back and getting the feeling that you’re not good enough.
“I’m trying to flip that around and say let the opportunities come to you, whether you are a startup founder, whether you’re an investor, or whether you’re talent. Let the pitch happen, and then you pick from the pool.”
AIYAH leverages AI to streamline connections between investors, employers and job seekers. Rather than requiring users to apply for hundreds of positions — often alongside thousands of competitors — the platform offers an AI-powered interview feature.
This tool allows individuals to present themselves through video, giving employers and investors a more personal and direct introduction. This innovation, Bennett explains, was inspired by a gap in existing platforms.
“I’m going to combine the best pieces of certain platforms,” she said. “I feel like there’s nothing that brings everyone together as a community — but with intention, community with intention.”
Expanding on what sets AIYAH apart from traditional job platforms such as LinkedIn, Bennett points to its proactive approach.
“How we are different is we are guaranteeing that everyone can do an interview. Come to the platform, register, and do an interview,” she said. “You don’t even have to wait for a job, introduce yourself and be proactive so that you get seen.
“And I think this is the biggest difference.”
Bennet acknowledges LinkedIn’s strengths, particularly in building human connections, but says its functionality in the hiring space leaves much to be desired.
“I think there are some great things about LinkedIn, but when it comes to recruitment and hiring, I call it a black hole — I call it where things get lost,” she said.
Bennet argues that while LinkedIn has not evolved significantly in two decades, the world — and its hiring needs — have.
“And that is the difference,” she said. “I feel that their models have not changed — LinkedIn is a 20-year-old business and they don’t need to disrupt or change because they are making money.
“However, the world has changed … and people’s needs have changed.”
She added: “I think the traditional model has been broken for a very long time. I think the human part of things has to really remain.”
Bennett says LinkedIn still serves a purpose when it comes to networking and social connectivity. But, according to her, in the realm of recruitment both job seekers and hiring professionals are growing increasingly frustrated with its limitations.
That commitment to accessibility is rooted in more than two years of research into evolving market needs. Since its recent launch, AIYAH has focused on bridging gaps between startups, talent and opportunity through a phased rollout strategy.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Saudi Arabia's employment rate dropped slightly to 64 percent in Q4 2024, down from 64.1 percent in Q3 2024.
• From 2017 to 2024, the average employment rate in Saudi Arabia was 56.7 percent, peaking at 64.7 percent in Q4 2023.
• The unemployment rate among Saudis rose to 7.8 percent in Q3 2024, up 0.7 percentage points from the previous quarter.
(Sources:Trading Economics & GASTAT)
In its first phase, the platform allows startups to join and job seekers to pitch themselves and apply for roles. The next phase will expand to include investors and employers, alongside partnerships with global hubs and both local and international universities.
“We are doing it in phases, we are inviting companies that are aligned with Vision 2030, namely deep tech and startups from around the world,” Bennet said. “The conversations that we are having now involve more than 5,000 startups from around the world entering the Kingdom.”
“On the side, this is really big,” she added. “We are looking at Saudization, graduate programs, and high-level bespoke requirements as well for certain projects.”
The company’s mission is grounded in five core pillars: advancing the goals of Vision 2030, supporting Saudization, fostering a stronger startup ecosystem, facilitating licensing and investment opportunities, and offering a realistic lens to view Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation.
It also seeks to challenge global misconceptions about the Kingdom while empowering employers to adopt AI in meaningful ways.
Through its AI-powered hiring model, AIYAH aims to accelerate human capital development and expand both investment and recruitment potential within the country.
Bennett also stresses the importance of ensuring that no demographic is left behind as AI reshapes industries. During the interview, she made clear that inclusivity is a key priority for the company.
Looking ahead, AIYAH plans to deliver AI literacy and digital skills to older or less tech-savvy people, ensuring the platform remains accessible and supportive of a truly inclusive future of work.
A Saudi doctor’s inspiring journey of overcoming her disability
Dr. Bashair Ibrahim overcame prejudice and lack of accessibility to achieve career success
Pediatrician hopes to address misconceptions about people with disabilities
Updated 09 May 2025
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Dr. Bashair Ibrahim is a symbol of hope, a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and a living example of perseverance.
Her story of overcoming disability is an inspiration to anyone who has faced adversity.
Ibrahim spoke to Arab News about how she navigated a challenging career, fueled by unwavering determination and a profound passion for healing.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of working as a pediatrician is the opportunity to care for children, especially at such a young age when they haven’t yet formed judgments or perceptions about disability,” Ibrahim said.
“I find that my connection with them is pure and genuine; they see me for who I am, not for any physical limitations. We build trust and warmth in a very natural way.”
Ibrahim’s journey, marked by both triumphs and systemic barriers, offers a vital perspective on inclusivity, accessibility, and the importance of challenging societal norms.
Her interest in medicine was sparked early, spending time around medical equipment due to mobility challenges.
“As a result of being in a car or using a wheelchair, I started to see a lot of machines, a lot of devices, X-rays, devices they use, needles,” she explained.
This ignited curiosity, leading her to explore the intricacies of the human body and medical science. This was not a deterrent; it fueled her path to healing.
“These experiences from a young age make one stronger,” she said.
Her fascination with science continued, and she began volunteering for lab activities — excelling in biology. This early experience combined with an interest in medical dramas solidified her career aspirations. The allure of understanding the human body and alleviating suffering proved irresistible.
“I liked the science itself,” she recalled. “I was learning more about humans, about how organs work, what diseases can come from that.”
Applying to medical school presented hurdles. Many universities lacked accessibility for individuals with mobility impairments.
She recounted a disheartening experience at one university where the main entrance was only accessible via a long staircase.
Despite finding an alternative route, the dean still denied her access citing concerns about opening hours.
This highlighted a frustrating reality: systemic biases can hinder progress, even when solutions exist.
Undeterred, Ibrahim sought admission to another private university. The director made a comment that stuck with her, asking: how would a patient treat a patient?
For Ibrahim, this dismissive remark is one example of societal biases surrounding people with disabilities in healthcare.
It underscored the need to challenge preconceived notions and recognize potential regardless of physical limitations.
“It never made sense then, it doesn’t make sense now,” she said, emphasizing the enduring impact of prejudice.
Despite these obstacles, Ibrahim remained committed. She specialized in pediatrics, driven by a deep-seated desire to positively impact children’s lives.
“What also makes this work deeply meaningful is the respect I often receive from families,” she explained.
“Many parents have told me they admire the way I’ve pursued a career in medicine despite the challenges that come with having a disability.
“Their appreciation reminds me that I’m not only helping their children medically, but also offering a visible example of resilience and determination.
“That mutual respect, and the human connection it fosters, is something I treasure deeply in my work.”
Ibrahim is acutely aware of misconceptions surrounding doctors with disabilities.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about doctors with disabilities is the stereotype that we are limited in our ability to practice medicine effectively,” she noted.
“I often notice surprise when families meet me for the first time, but I see that as a chance to challenge those assumptions through my work.”
She has adapted her approach to ensure her disability does not compromise care quality.
“I perform the full physical examination while seated, and I’ve adapted my approach to ensure that nothing is compromised in the quality of care I deliver.
“Over time, families come to see that my disability doesn’t define my capability.”
She believes that mentorship is crucial for aspiring medical professionals with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of role models who understand both the clinical demands and personal challenges they face.
Her message is clear: equal access, thoughtful accommodations and representation are essential, and her story is a testament to how people can overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.
Jazan University foreign scholarship scheme thriving as intake hits 2,100
344 students from 20 countries enroll in 2025
Program provides platform for boosting cultural understanding, intellectual moderation
Updated 08 May 2025
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: Jazan University enrolled 344 students into its foreign scholarship program this year, taking the total since its inception to 2,100.
The latest intake represent more than 20 countries, including France, Canada, the Russian Federation and several Arab, African and Asian nations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
As well as helping the university to increase its global standing, the program provides a platform for enhancing relationships between people from around the world, and nurturing cultural understanding and intellectual moderation, the report said.
Jazan University is regarded as a leading scientific institution within the Kingdom and the wider Arab world. It champions the message of Islam and the teaching of the Arabic language, while promoting the values of moderation, balance and understanding among people.
As well as the educational benefits, students enrolled on the scholarship program have access to a comprehensive healthcare package, which includes their accompanying family members, and various financial support options to cover shipping costs and the purchase of relevant materials and equipment.
The university also provides free flights home at the end of each academic year to ensure its students’ well-being.
A recent beneficiary of the scheme is Obaidur Rahman Abdul Hannan.
“This is an important academic project, which not only helps the meritorious students but also serves the purpose for achieving cultural understanding and intellectual moderation, making it an ambitious project deserving praise and appreciation both locally and internationally,” he told Arab News.
“Saudi Arabia is emerging as a global hub for higher education, offering a plethora of fully funded scholarships to international students across various disciplines.
“These scholarships by Jazan University, with excellent facilities, bearing all expenses, flight tickets, provide an excellent opportunity for non-Saudi students … to pursue various courses in such a prestigious university.”
