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
Saudi Arabia to promote rural development at global trade fair
- Program’s assistant secretary-general for media and communication said participation aims to attract foreign investment and strengthen international cooperation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will showcase its advances in agriculture and promote a range of local products at one of the world's leading horticulture trade fairs in Germany.
More than 1,600 global exhibitors will take part in IPM Essen from Jan. 28-31, with the Kingdom participating through its Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program.
The goal is to highlight the Kingdom’s efforts in advancing agriculture, supporting farmers, and promoting local rural products globally, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program will showcase its rural community development initiatives and support for small farmers, while emphasizing partnerships and collaboration with experts.
Majed Al-Buraikan, the program’s assistant secretary-general for media and communication, said that participation aims to attract foreign investment, strengthen international cooperation, and align with Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, improve food security, and enhance Saudi Arabia’s global agricultural standing.
The event offers an opportunity to explore innovations and solutions that could benefit small farmers in Saudi Arabia, Al-Buraikan added.
The Saudi pavilion will present its support programs, and distribute informational materials on subsidized sectors, including Saudi coffee, honey, and aromatic plants.
The fair will feature sustainable agricultural solutions, along with conferences and workshops addressing sector challenges and opportunities.
Saudi crown prince receives Italian PM in AlUla
- Two leaders discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the winter camp in AlUla on Sunday.
The two leaders discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields, Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also discussed regional and international developments and issues of common interest during the meeting.
Later on Sunday, Prince Mohammed and Meloni signed an agreement to establish a strategic partnership council between their governments.
Meloni arrived in the Kingdom on Saturday.
Islamic leaders call for unity against extremism at Bangkok conference
RIYADH: Participants in Bangkok on Sunday at the third Khair Ummah conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations stressed Islam’s foundation in worshipping Allah and following the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, urging Muslims to promote moderation while contributing to progress.
In a final communique of the two-day event, which was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Thailand, participants called on scholars to uphold Islam’s tolerant values and address misinterpretations of religious discourse.
They highlighted the importance of following the path of the Prophet’s companions, combating extremism, and rejecting groups that misused religion for personal gain, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Participants stressed the need to leverage modern media and technology to promote Islam, counter misinformation through research, and develop programs instilling Islamic values and tolerance in young people.
The conference focused on research papers by various scholars and aimed to strengthen communication among Islamic leaders and institutions to advance civilization.
Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh on Saturday emphasized that the conference aimed to strengthen Islamic unity and uphold Islamic identity through solidarity and adherence to the truth.
He said that scholars had a significant responsibility in light of global challenges and the intellectual, political, social, and security issues facing the world.
Al-Asheikh added: “This situation calls for a real response from scholars and researchers to clarify the right religious stance against sedition and to reinforce the core principles of the Islamic faith.”
Umrah guests from 18 African nations visit Islamic heritage sites in Madinah
RIYADH: The third group of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Umrah and Visit toured several historical and religious sites in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
As part of a cultural program by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the visit aimed to enrich the cultural experience of visitors and Umrah performers in the holy city.
The group, consisting of 250 pilgrims from 18 African countries, visited the Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, and the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery, learning about this historic turning point in Islam.
At Quba Mosque, the guests performed prayers and were briefed on its facilities and the ongoing expansion projects designed to increase capacity and enhance services for worshippers.
The guests also learned about the mosque’s historical and religious significance as the first mosque built after the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Madinah.
Additionally, they toured the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah, where they explored the technical and administrative departments and learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an and its translation into multiple languages.
The visit also showcased the complex’s efforts in recording Qur’anic recitations, interpreting its meanings, advancing Qur’anic sciences, and supporting Islamic research and studies.
The guests were introduced to the complex’s written and audio publications, which aim to spread Islamic teachings worldwide. At the end of the tour, representatives of the complex presented copies of the Holy Qur’an to the guests.
This third group is part of a larger initiative to host 1,000 male and female pilgrims from 66 countries this year. After their visit to Madinah, the guests will travel to Makkah to perform Umrah rituals.
Saudi project clears 840 Houthi mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 840 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included 38 anti-tank mines, 800 unexploded ordnances and two explosive devices, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 479,794 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
