TAIF: The Taif University is offering 500 scholarships to expatriate students from 40 Muslim countries around the globe, and 200 for those foreigners living in the country.
This is for the first time that the university has offered scholarships to foreign students to be launched this coming academic year.
Wasalallah Al-Sawat, dean of admissions, said the university has accepted 18,000 students, of which 14,000 would be full time and 3,000 part time, in addition to postgraduate students. There were 40 percent more admissions to the medical faculty this year compared to last year, he was quoted as saying by a local publication on Tuesday.
He said new departments have been established such as physical education; and that nursing, history and media studies would have their own separate faculties. The university has applied to the Education Ministry for these changes, he said.
Al-Sawat said the university has set up a special committee to determine whether it is meeting the needs of the labor market, in line with the aims and objectives of Vision 2030. This was not done to maximize profits but improve education outcomes, he said.
He said students had applied to the university a month ago by sending letters to the deans of the various faculties. There was a great demand for medicine and the university has accepted 202 students. Children of martyrs would be allowed to attend the university, with some having to complete a preparatory year, with further specialization depending on their grades.
Al-Sawat said the university was developing its education faculty in line with the directives of the ministry. The aim was to improve the qualifications of teachers. He said the director of the university, Talal Al-Maliki, had issued a directive for further studies on the education faculty, which would be handed to the ministry on completion.
He said applications were still open for students to apply on the university’s website. The names of those accepted would be announced next week. Non-Saudi students were not allowed to enroll in health specializations, and engineering students have to have high grades to gain admission because of the competition for places.
He said students from Raniya governorate would not need to deliver their applications in person to the university because this could be done electronically. The university had started introducing online applications last year to make it easier for students, he said.
He said that some students with low grades would be accepted but the number had not been determined yet; and that evening school was free of charge. Places for the preparatory year were for males in science and education and females in science and the humanities.
Al-Sawat said Syrian residents can study at the university and those on visit visas can be accepted if directives are received from the ministry. Female Egyptian students can apply for internal scholarships.
He said the university has provided special places for students with disabilities, who can apply through the website. A special committee has been set up to help students with disabilities apply and gain access to buildings and have their schedules worked out. They can apply for places in science and humanities faculties, he said.
Al-Sawat said a committee was formed last year to determine what was needed by the labor market. The university has determined that there should be 20 master’s students per class, and that the master’s in hospital administration should be approved by the Ministry of Civil Service.
Those wishing to study health should have at least a 90 percent average for their secondary school certificate and 70 percent for abilities. All students wishing to gain admission must have a secondary school certificate, not be employed by a government body, and not have a secondary school certificate older than five years.
Admissions start on Monday, June 20 and continue until July 10. Recommendations for personal interviews are on July 12, interviews on July 14, and online acceptance from July 18 to 22. Students will receive confirmation on e-mail or on their phones, and get their schedules and student numbers automatically.
700 scholarships for expat students at Taif University
700 scholarships for expat students at Taif University
MoU signed to strengthen humanitarian ties
- Memorandum was signed by Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the foundation, and Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief
- Memorandum highlights the Kingdom’s global leadership in relief, humanitarian aid and charity, and expands the scope of operations and the support for missions of both organizations
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief and the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Foundation for Humanitarian Development signed a memorandum of understanding in Riyadh on Tuesday to enhance cooperation in humanitarian fields and establish a strategic partnership for mutual benefit.
The memorandum was signed by Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the foundation, and Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief.
The memorandum highlights the Kingdom’s global leadership in relief, humanitarian aid and charity, and expands the scope of operations and the support for missions of both organizations.
Prince Mohammed praised KSrelief’s exceptional efforts in humanitarian work, saying: “KSrelief’s vast expertise and capabilities qualify it to provide humanitarian services worldwide. Through this collaboration, we aim for the foundation to contribute to global humanitarian efforts alongside KSrelief.”
He also expressed gratitude to the leadership for its continuous support of humanitarian initiatives delivering aid to those in need.
He added: “The foundation has signed numerous MOUs locally and globally, all achieving their goals and benefiting thousands.
“A notable achievement is the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Award for Best Charitable Performance in the Arab World, which has benefited many organizations across the Arab world.”
Issa Al-Ansari, the foundation’s secretary-general, said that the memorandum aimed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as training volunteers, conducting research, and implementing developmental and humanitarian projects.
“The parties have agreed to form a joint team responsible for developing an action plan for implementing the memorandum’s terms, including follow-up mechanisms and regular meetings,” Al-Ansari added.
First group of royal guests performs Umrah
- Schedule includes visits to the Kiswa Factory of the Holy Kaaba, the Revelation Exhibition, meetings with the imam of the Grand Mosque
- Group arrived in Madinah where they visited the Prophet’s Mosque and toured other historic sites
RIYADH: The first group to arrive in the Kingdom through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Umrah and Visit has performed Umrah rituals in Makkah.
The program’s organizing committees ensured that the visitors enjoyed excellent services, including upon arrival in Madinah where they were warmly welcomed by officials.
According to participants, the program, which is implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, reflects the Kingdom’s leaders’ dedication to supporting Muslims worldwide.
They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit the Grand Mosque in Makkah and perform Umrah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The first group included 250 prominent Islamic figures from 12 countries, part of a total of 1,000 Umrah performers from 66 countries. The guests will visit in four groups as part of the program.
The schedule includes visits to the Kiswa Factory of the Holy Kaaba, the Revelation Exhibition, meetings with the imam of the Grand Mosque, and participation in various scientific and cultural programs.
The group arrived in Madinah where they visited the Prophet’s Mosque and toured other historic sites, including the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, the Battle of Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery, and the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization.
EU delegation reviews Saudi efforts to combat extremism
- Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology’s secretary-general, Mansour Al-Shammari, received the delegation and addressed several topics of mutual interest in combating extremism
- EU members were briefed on the center’s strategy and its efforts to combat extremist ideology as well as mitigate its impact and messages
RIYADH: Members of the EU’s Political and Security Committee, including its chair, Delphine Pronk, paid an official visit to the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh.
The center’s secretary-general, Mansour Al-Shammari, received the delegation and addressed several topics of mutual interest in combating extremism.
The EU members were briefed on the center’s strategy and its efforts to combat extremist ideology as well as mitigate its impact and messages, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
They also learned about the community initiatives and international partnerships that promote the principles of tolerance and a culture of moderation.
The meeting was attended by EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio, European External Action Service Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa Helene Le Gal, EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Christophe Farnaud and Saudi Ambassador to the EU Haifa Al-Jedea.
Earlier, the EU delegation visited the Gulf Cooperation Council’s headquarters in Riyadh and met Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi to discuss mutual interests and joint efforts to address global challenges.
Topics included regional issues such as Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Gulf security, Iran, maritime security in the Red Sea, Iraq, Sudan, the Horn of Africa and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
The delegation also met Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir to discuss climate change, environmental cooperation and strengthening joint efforts in these areas. They also reviewed recent foreign policy developments in Europe and the Middle East.
Riyadh exhibition explores palm’s role in ancient cultures
- Experts discuss challenges and innovations in date farming
RIYADH: The “Palm Tree in Civilizations” pavilion at the International Dates Conference and Exhibition in Riyadh, running until Nov. 28, highlights the historical significance of the palm tree across ancient cultures.
The pavilion explores how date palms supported food and economic sustainability, offering a historical journey through the ages.
It also showcases the palm’s importance in ancient Egypt through carvings and murals depicting its role in daily life and religious rituals, as well as in agriculture, construction, and fertility practices.
Organized by the National Center for Palm and Dates under the theme “World of Dates,” the exhibit also highlights the palm’s significance in Mesopotamia and the Levant, featuring ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi, which protected palm cultivation, along with carvings illustrating their role in trade and society.
Artifacts from the Dilmun civilization highlighted the reliance of ancient Arab societies on palms for agriculture and trade.
The pavilion also showcases the palm’s symbolic role in the Levant, particularly among the Canaanites and Arameans, with depictions from historical sites like Palmyra emphasizing its importance in religious and artistic traditions.
Saad Alnajim, vice president of the Antiquities and Heritage Association in the Eastern Province, said: “Beyond providing food, medicine, and shade, the palm symbolizes belonging and pride, reflected in its place on Saudi Arabia’s national emblem.”
Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijri, chairman of the National Committee for Environment, Water and Agriculture, said that dates are central to the Saudi economy, with Vision 2030 aiming to make the Kingdom the world’s largest date exporter.
He added: “Today, the Kingdom is the largest producer and exporter of dates, thanks to the clear vision of the crown prince, whose efforts we are now benefiting from.”
According to the UN Comtrade database, Saudi Arabia exported dates worth over SR1.4 billion ($373 million) to 119 countries by the end of 2023.
The Saudi General Authority for Statistics reported production exceeding 1.9 million tonnes, reflecting a 152.5 percent increase in export value since 2016, solidifying the Kingdom’s position as the world’s largest date exporter.
Meanwhile, a panel of global climate and agriculture experts discussed the impact of climate change on date palm cultivation.
The session focused on challenges such as delayed fruit maturation, reduced yields, pests, and pollution, and explored innovative solutions to address these issues. The panel emphasized the need for international cooperation and sustainable farming practices.
The discussion highlighted global best practices, including improved irrigation and smart agricultural techniques, as well as the importance of farmer education and technical support.
Recommendations included enhancing international collaboration, supporting research on climate-resistant varieties, and promoting awareness for sustainable date palm cultivation.
The exhibition offers a variety of entertainment activities, including folklore shows, regional poetry, and cooking competitions.
It also features a museum that takes visitors on a journey through the history of palm trees and dates over the past 1,000 years.
Additionally, a live cooking area brings together local and international chefs to prepare a variety of date-based dishes.
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM gigaproject a ‘generational investment,’ minister says
- The world’s top oil exporter has poured hundreds of billions of dollars into development projects through the kingdom’s $925 billion sovereign fund
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s NEOM gigaproject, a futuristic region being built in the desert, is a “generational investment” with a long timeline, the country’s investment minister told Reuters on Monday, adding that foreign investment will pick up pace.
“NEOM was not meant to be a two-year investable opportunity. If anybody expected NEOM to be foreign investment in two, three or five years, then they have gotten (it) wrong — it’s a generational investment,” Minister Khalid Al-Falih said on the sidelines of the World Investment Conference in Riyadh.
“The flywheel is starting and it will gain speed as we go forward, as some of the foundational assets come to the market,” he said.
The world’s top oil exporter has poured hundreds of billions of dollars into development projects through the kingdom’s $925 billion sovereign fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), as it undergoes an economic agenda dubbed Vision 2030 to cut dependence on fossil fuels.
NEOM, a Red Sea urban and industrial development nearly the size of Belgium that is meant to eventually house 9 million people, is central to Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia has scaled back some lofty ambitions to prioritize completing elements essential to hosting global sporting events over the next decade as rising costs weigh, sources told Reuters earlier this month. NEOM announced this month its long-time chief executive, Nadhmi Al-Nasr, had stepped down, without giving further details.
Asked what effect the departure would have on investors, the minister said the executive had done “a respectable job” but that “there is a time for everybody to pass on the baton.”
Asked if PIF will continue to do much of the spending on NEOM until more foreign funds come in, Al-Falih said it was not binary.
“I think foreign investors are starting to come to NEOM, they’re starting to channel capital. Some of the projects that the PIF will be doing will be financed through global capital pools, through some alternative and private capital. That’s taking place as we speak,” he said.
“So I urge you not to look at NEOM as being 100 percent PIF and then suddenly there will be a cliff and it will go private.”
Saudi Arabia, which is racing to attract $100 billion in annual foreign direct investment by the turn of the decade — reaching about a quarter of that in 2023 — has recently seen more co-investment deals between state entities and foreign investors.
“It’s always been the intent,” Al-Falih said of foreign inflows alongside state funds.
He noted that foreign investors were at times “still looking, still examining, still sometimes questioning,” but that now there was confidence in the profitability of investment opportunities and that “the risk-return trade-offs are very, very fair and positive to them.”
