Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal University lands Gartner Eye on Innovation Award
Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal University lands Gartner Eye on Innovation Award/node/2574908/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal University lands Gartner Eye on Innovation Award
King Faisal University has been awarded the prestigious Gartner Eye on Innovation Award for Education 2024 in the category of “Innovation in Teaching and Learning.” (Supplied)
Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal University lands Gartner Eye on Innovation Award
Gartner Award, a major accolade in technical research and consulting, is headquartered in Stamford, US
Updated 11 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: King Faisal University has been awarded the prestigious Gartner Eye on Innovation Award for Education 2024 in the category of “Innovation in Teaching and Learning,” Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The award recognizes the university’s groundbreaking efforts in developing an augmented reality (AR) application that transforms traditional teaching methods.
The AR application introduces interactive 3D scientific content, enhancing students’ ability to grasp complex concepts and enriching their overall educational experience, SPA added.
This tool marks a significant leap forward in the university’s approach to teaching and learning.
Dr. Fawaz bin Wasl Allah Al-Saedi, Dean of E-Learning and Information Technology, emphasized the university’s leadership in integrating cutting-edge technology into education.
He noted that King Faisal University’s project was chosen from a wide range of submissions by top international educational institutions, highlighting its global standing in advancing educational technology.
The Gartner Award, a major accolade in technical research and consulting, is headquartered in Stamford, US, and celebrates institutions that leverage technology to improve education in innovative ways.
How Saudi Arabia is partnering with Denmark in sustainable wastewater management
Population growth, climate change, and limited natural resources are compounding water scarcity in the Middle East
Danfoss and Grundfos are among the Danish firms sharing their expertise to help bolster wastewater management
Updated 7 sec ago
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: With a rapidly expanding population, limited natural water resources, and the harsh realities of climate change, Saudi Arabia is looking to international experts to develop its water sustainability and treatment infrastructure.
Among those answering the call are companies and consultants from Denmark, who are contributing their extensive knowledge and innovative solutions in wastewater management to support Saudi Arabia’s sustainability goals.
Partnerships with Danish firms like Danfoss, Grundfos, and AVK are helping the Kingdom manage its water resources more efficiently, reduce water wastage, and minimize its environmental impact.
Danfoss uses in its water treatment facilities advanced real-time process control to optimize energy efficiency, cutting energy consumption by 20–40%. (Danfoss photo)
Saudi Arabia, a country that relies heavily on groundwater and desalination, faces many challenges in water resource management.
According to a 2019 report titled “Wastewater Treatment and Water Resources in Saudi Arabia,” the Kingdom’s water demand has skyrocketed over the past two decades.
Between 2007 and 2018, the population grew from 25 million to nearly 33 million, leading to a sharp rise in freshwater demand.
However, only a portion of wastewater in Saudi cities is treated and reused. According to a 2021 report from King Saud University, 78 percent of wastewater in Dammam is treated, 60 percent in Riyadh, and just 50 percent in Jeddah.
To combat waste and to encourage the reuse of precious freshwater resources, the Kingdom has sought the expertise of Danish firms renowned for their advancements in sustainable water management.
Jacob Vind, a global water industry expert at Danish engineering firm Danfoss, highlighted the importance of addressing water scarcity in the region.
“We are in reality in the midst of an extremely serious and pervasive water challenge. There is not enough water,” Vind told Arab News.
In the last step of the wastewater treatment process, the water flows to secondary sedimentation tanks where the water is clear, does not have an odor, and is considered fully treated. (Shutterstock photo)
He further stressed that the growing demand for water, coupled with climate change, makes it essential for governments and industries to adopt advanced water management technologies.
Denmark has long been recognized for its cutting-edge wastewater management policies. The country boasts well-developed wastewater infrastructure, incorporating advanced filtration, treatment, and energy recovery processes.
Denmark’s approach to water sustainability relies on innovative technologies that reduce water wastage while conserving energy and resources.DID YOUKNOW?
• 380 billion cubic meters of municipal wastewater is produced every year worldwide.
• Untreated water is a breeding ground for various diseases including cholera and typhoid.
• Most equipment for wastewater treatment is designed to operate effectively for just 15-20 years.
Danish engineering firms like Grundfos are making an impact in Saudi Arabia by introducing solar-powered pumping systems to supply water to remote and off-grid areas where access to electricity may be limited.
According to Morten Riis, the company’s group senior director, their water solutions target not only groundwater and rivers but also focus on reducing water loss and optimizing energy consumption in the process.
Morten Riis, group senior director and head of group external relations at Grundfos. (AN photo by Haifa Alshammari)
“We have intelligent solutions that can reduce not only the water loss but also reduce the use of energy due to managing the pressure in the water system,” Riis told Arab News.
This expertise is critical in Saudi Arabia, where reclaimed wastewater is expected to play a key role in ensuring a sustainable future.
The “Wastewater Treatment and Water Resources in Saudi Arabia” report highlighted how wastewater treatment infrastructure in the Kingdom lagged behind demand in the 1990s, leading to 40 percent of untreated wastewater being discharged into the environment.
However, recent investments and foreign collaborations are transforming the situation.
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Besides the solar-powered pumping stations introduced by Grundfos, fellow Dutch engineering firm Danfoss is helping Saudi Arabia implement efficient water technologies that use less water, energy, and chemicals.
Vind says that while water treatment technologies are available, the challenge lies in making them affordable and accessible.
“In terms of recent advancements, I want to highlight that efficient water technologies use less water, less energy or chemicals and resources in general,” he said.
Meanwhile, over the past 30 years, Danish company AVK International has been providing solutions for wastewater, offering valves, hydrants, and accessories for water, gas, and sewage treatment in Jeddah.
AVK International manufactures penstocks, which are used for wastewater treatment, pumping stations and collection of wastewater. (AVK photo)
Wastewater treatment involves several stages to ensure it meets the safety standards for different uses, such as irrigation, industrial processes, and potable water.
At the start of the process, preliminary treatment involves the removal of large debris and solid particles using screens and sedimentation tanks. This is followed by primary treatment, where water passes through sedimentation tanks. Here, smaller solids settle to form sludge.
During secondary treatment, aeration is introduced to stimulate microbes that break down organic matter, removing most pollutants. Then, in a process known as tertiary treatment, the water is further filtered and disinfected to remove harmful pathogens, rendering it usable for irrigation and industrial purposes.
Some systems also include advanced treatment involving reverse osmosis and UV filtration, making the water safe for human consumption.
Of course, sustainability does not start at the treatment phase. Policies designed to protect freshwater at its source are just as important.
Tanya Gottlieb Jacobsen, deputy director of Danish consultancy State of Green. (Supplied)
“We get our drinking water from groundwater, so we focus on prevention, and we always have a strategy on prevention being better than advanced treatment for drinking water,” Tanya Gottlieb Jacobsen, deputy director of Danish consultancy State of Green, told Arab News.
Denmark’s holistic approach to water sustainability — focusing on prevention, smart technologies, and strategic investments — aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, which prioritize economic diversification alongside environmental stewardship.
By eliminating pollutants in water, people support biodiversity, protect aquatic life, maintain the balance of local ecosystems and promote sustainable urban development. (Photo credit: Red Sea Global)
As the Kingdom adopts cutting-edge technologies and incorporates Danish expertise into its water infrastructure, it is taking vital steps toward securing its water future.
These efforts will not only help Saudi Arabia mitigate the effects of water scarcity and climate change but will also position the country as a leader in sustainable water management in the region.
Saudi crown prince, French president discuss regional tension in phone call
Updated 11 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call, they discussed the latest developments in the region and reviewed the efforts exerted to de-escalate the situation in Palestine and Lebanon to achieve security and stability, SPA added.
Macron, who attended a summit of European and Mediterranean leaders in Cyprus on Friday, said earlier on Friday that “stopping the export of weapons” used in Gaza and Lebanon was the only way to end fighting there, and also condemned “deliberate” targeting of UN peacekeepers.
“We all know it. It’s the unique lever that would end it,” Macron said, adding that it was “absolutely unacceptable” that UN peacekeepers in Lebanon were “deliberately targeted” by Israeli forces.
Global leaders gather in Baku to advance climate negotiations before COP29
Talks focus on finance and support for vulnerable communities
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev urges agreement on key issues
Updated 11 October 2024
Arab News
The COP29 Presidency is hosting global climate leaders, government officials, constituencies, and delegates at Pre-COP in Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss key environmental issues facing the planet.
The 3-day Pre-COP meeting, which started Oct. 10, provides an important platform for parties to advance climate negotiations ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, set to take place in November.
Pre-COP discussions are focusing on making progress on key priorities before COP29, including climate finance, the New Collective Quantified Goal, mitigation, adaptation, and supporting vulnerable communities, according to a press release issued by the organizers.
In an address delivered on his behalf by COP29 president-designate Mukhtar Babayev, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan emphasized the importance of agreeing an NCQG at COP29 that “meets the needs of the developing, least developed and small island developing states” and represents a “substantial increase” over the prior goal.
Aliyev said reaching this goal would require the collaboration of the international community. “Neither Azerbaijan in its capacity of the COP29 Presidency, nor any other state, can take decisions on behalf of others.
“Our role is to provide the platform for facilitating negotiations, which we believe we have been fulfilling impartially,” he said.
In his own address at the opening ceremony, Babayev recognized the progress made, while also calling for participants to act with urgency and use the Pre-COP meeting to build the foundation for a successful outcome at COP29.
“We are building bridges and momentum, but we need much more,” said Babayev. “We make progress when we come together, put differences aside, and engage in open and honest dialogue.”
Setting out clear goals for each priority, he identified the need to “take seriously the responsibility for identifying a number over a timeframe and come forward with solutions.
“Qualitative elements of the goal such as transparency and accessibility are also essential to ensuring that the goal is both fair and ambitious.”
Babayev also outlined goals for each of the other top negotiating priorities, including concluding work on Article 6 as a much-needed priority “crucial for directing financial and technical resources.”
The aim was to turn pledges into signed contributor agreements to the fund for responding to loss and damage, and attracting “significantly greater contributions” to all funds.
This includes the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund, and responding to the call of the UAE Consensus to transition away from fossil fuels in a just and orderly manner.
Pre-COP is the latest milestone in Azerbaijan’s preparations for COP29, which will be a key moment in the global effort to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and build resilience to climate impacts.
In the lead up to Pre-COP, the COP29 Presidency also convened an informal Heads of Delegation meeting on Oct. 8 in Baku, followed by the formal High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on the NCQG on Oct. 9.
Another Heads of Delegation meeting is scheduled for Oct. 12.
“COP29 will be a defining test for both the Paris Agreement and for multilateralism,” stated Babayev.
“The world is watching, and history will judge us on the outcomes we achieve. Success or failure at COP29 will be collective and each of us has a role to play. We must all offer the best of ourselves.”
Empowering communication: App bridges gaps for Arabic-speaking deaf community
Reem Turky’s Tawaasuly aims to elevate the disabled customer experience to a new era
Updated 11 October 2024
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: The creator of an Arabic sign language translation app has spoken about how she aims to improve accessibility for deaf people, helping them integrate into society.
Reem Turky, the founder of Tawaasuly, has created a significant tool for the deaf community in the Arabic-speaking world. The app serves as a bridge between deaf and hearing people, offering dual communication channels.
Tawaasuly translates Arabic speech and text into Arabic sign language using 3D animation and converts sign language gestures back into spoken or written Arabic.
By collaborating with experts in the field, the app adapts to the nuances and variations of Arabic sign language, ensuring contextually appropriate translations. (Supplied)
“We aim to realize service providers’ visions by elevating the disabled customer experience to a new era,” Turky told Arab News.
Tawaasuly facilitates communication, engages the Arabic deaf community in society and enables users to live independently from their families and translators. It also helps service-driven enterprises gain recognition as innovators in customer experience while addressing environmental, social and governance issues.
Turky’s journey to create Tawaasuly was deeply personal. “I witnessed the challenges faced by my colleague, who struggled to communicate in social and professional settings,” she said.
We utilize a combination of machine learning and voice-to-text recognition technologies to translate between Arabic language and Arabic sign language.
Reem Turky, Founder of Tawaasuly
“This experience ignited my passion to create a solution that bridges communication gaps.”
Recognizing that existing tools for the Arabic-speaking deaf community were inadequate and culturally misaligned, she was motivated to develop Tawaasuly.
“Our mission is to empower the deaf community by providing accessible communication that promotes inclusion and understanding,” Turky said.
“We utilize a combination of machine learning and voice-to-text recognition technologies to translate between Arabic language and Arabic sign language.”
By collaborating with experts in the field, the app adapts to the nuances and variations of Arabic sign language, ensuring contextually appropriate translations.
Feedback from users has been positive. Many have expressed gratitude for the app’s user-friendly interface and accurate translations.
“It significantly enhances their ability to communicate in various settings, from education to social interactions,” Turky said.
But she said she had faced challenges in trying to raise awareness of the app.
“The prevailing stigma around deafness and limited awareness of available technologies has been our main challenge,” she said.
The team is dedicated to educating both the deaf community and companies about the app’s benefits. Its impact is measured through user feedback, social engagement and usage statistics.
Turky said: “One user shared that Tawaasuly helped her engage frequently with hearing communities after years of isolation.”
She hopes that in five years Tawaasuly, with increased functionality, including more languages and dialects, will be the go-to communication tool for deaf people across the Arabic-speaking world. She said she also planned to launch an enterprise version of the app to help companies serve deaf customers better.
The company is currently pursuing partnerships with startups focusing on AI and text-to-speech technologies, as well as collaborations with educational institutions and nongovernmental organizations that advocate for disability rights.
“We prioritize sustainable practices in our operations, such as green IT and community outreach programs,” Turky said.
She believes that technology plays a crucial role in improving accessibility for disabled communities.
“It can enhance communication, provide access to information and create inclusive environments for disabled individuals,” she said.
Witnessing the positive impact of Tawaasuly on users’ lives has been rewarding for Turky.
“Knowing that Tawaasuly helps bridge communication gaps is my motivation,” she said.
Craftsmanship of decorated wooden doors reflects Aseer’s artistic heritage
Skills have been passed down through the generations
Updated 11 October 2024
SPA
ASEER: Intricately designed wooden doors in the Aseer region are more than a mere means of entry for they provide a reflection of the area’s rich artistic heritage.
The doors display exceptional craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations, showcasing the unique skills and creativity of local artisans.
Researchers in architecture highlight these intricately decorated doors as essential components of the area’s architectural heritage.
The Aseer region boasts a vibrant tradition of skilled carpenters who have mastered the craft of creating traditional architectural doors and windows. (SPA)
In an interview with the Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Ali Marzouq, a professor of archaeology and Islamic arts at King Khalid University, spoke of the cultural significance of this art form.
He said: “People find psychological comfort in beautifying their possessions. The decorative motifs typical of Islamic architecture, including engravings and inscriptions, have become integral to building design, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.”
The artistry involved in carving and engraving wooden doors has elevated them to symbols of social status.
HIGHLIGHTS
• This tradition continues today, with many people updating their door decorations for holidays and special events.
• In the coastal Tihama region, some residents enhance their main entrances by planting aromatic plants, adding a delightful fragrance.
Marzouq said that the main door holds significant importance, serving as a reflection of the owner’s wealth and prestige. Elaborately adorned doors made from high-quality woods are typically found in the homes of the affluent, while simpler designs are more prevalent among average households.
The Aseer region boasts a vibrant tradition of skilled carpenters who have mastered the craft of creating traditional architectural doors and windows. (SPA)
This tradition continues today, with many people updating their door decorations for holidays and special events. In the coastal Tihama region, some residents enhance their main entrances by planting aromatic plants, adding a delightful fragrance.
Decorative elements on wooden doors and windows have been central to the architectural identity of the Arabian Peninsula since ancient times. These embellishments not only highlight the skill of the artisans but also serve as effective marketing for their craftsmanship.
Dr. Saleh Abu Arad, a researcher in the field, echoed Marzouq’s sentiments, emphasizing the significance of the “door and window industry” as a skilled trade that utilized local wood and various techniques to create doors and windows of diverse sizes. These architectural elements are often enriched with exquisite engravings and metal accents, such as handles and rings.
The Aseer region boasts a vibrant tradition of skilled carpenters who have mastered the craft of creating traditional architectural doors and windows. (SPA)
The choice of wood plays a crucial role in the final product’s quality. The talh tree, also known as the red acacia, which is renowned for its dense and cohesive fibers, is favored for crafting high-quality doors and intricate designs.
Carpenters have excelled in engraving beautiful decorations on both exterior and interior doors, utilizing the unique properties of the wood.
Traditionally, the decoration of internal wooden doors and windows is a task undertaken by the housewife, with assistance from female relatives and neighbors. These decorations feature a range of geometric, botanical, and symbolic motifs, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere for guests and visitors.
The Aseer region boasts a vibrant tradition of skilled carpenters who have mastered the craft of creating traditional architectural doors and windows. Inspired by their natural environment, these artisans incorporate a diverse array of detailed patterns and botanical designs into their work, intentionally avoiding human or animal imagery.
Researcher Maryam Al-Omari says popular designs often feature geometric shapes such as triangles and diamonds, which are intricately combined to enhance the overall aesthetic.
Acknowledging the significance of safeguarding this area of cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture republished the works of the French professor Thierry Mouget in 2021. His comprehensive photographic records of southern Saudi Arabia from the 1980s showcase the region’s architectural styles, historical legacies, social dynamics, and customs, shedding light on the rich cultural fabric of the Aseer region.
