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 cabinet reviews Arab-Muslim summit, reaffirms support for Palestine and Lebanon
- Central to the session was a review of the extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit held in Riyadh on Monday
RIYADH: The Saudi cabinet, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, convened in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss outcomes from recent high-level summits and meetings.
Central to the session was a review of the extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit held in Riyadh on Monday and the crown prince’s engagements with leaders from various countries.
The cabinet praised the summit’s outcomes and welcomed its signing of the Tripartite Mechanism Document to Support Palestine, a joint initiative by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States, and the African Union Commission.
The cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian and Lebanese people as they face the severe humanitarian effects of the ongoing Israeli military action. It called on countries around the world to join an international coalition advocating for the two-state solution — a plan initiated this year by the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, led by Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the European Union and Norway.
During the session, the crown prince briefed the cabinet on his recent discussions with President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and a phone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump.
The minister of media announced that the cabinet expressed its appreciation for the Kingdom’s Arab Week at UNESCO initiative, hosted at UN headquarters in Paris, for enhancing cultural dialogue and promoting understanding among diverse communities.
On domestic matters, council members commended the reception of the Saudi medical team that accomplished the world’s first complete robotic heart transplant.
It also celebrated the success of the Beban 24 Forum’s 10th edition in Riyadh, which produced agreements and initiatives exceeding SR35.4 billion ($9.42 billion) aimed at bolstering entrepreneurship and enhancing the contribution of small and medium enterprises to the national gross domestic product.
Indian film icons Bobby Deol, Suriya hail Riyadh visit
- The duo are in the Kingdom’s capital to promote epic saga ‘Kanguva,’ in theaters on Nov. 14
RIYADH: Bollywood icon Bobby Deol and Tamil cinema veteran Suriya spent time with fans and members of the press to promote their new film “Kanguva” in Riyadh.
They are among the latest international stars to visit the Kingdom’s capital and interact with local fans of their work.
“Kanguva” is an epic fantasy action film directed by Siva, starring Suriya, Deol, and Disha Patani, which hits the Kingdom’s theaters on Nov. 14.
Speaking to fans at an event in Riyadh this week, Deol expressed his appreciation for fans in Saudi Arabia. “Today I am here with all of you, and so many of you. I am happy to be here among you all. I love you, Suriya loves you, we all love you for so much of your love and compassion,” he said.
Speaking about his first visit to Riyadh, Deol added: “I feel so happy that our people live here and are liked by the host country. I am glad to see you all. It’s your energy, it’s your love that gives us strength, and whatever we are today, it’s because of your love.
“So, thank you so much for having us here today.”
HIGHLIGHT
Bobby Deol and Suriya are among the latest international stars to visit the Kingdom’s capital to promote their film.
Suriya is in Riyadh for the first time for the film’s promotion.
The style icon told Arab News: “I am happy to be among our people living here and to see a lot of transformation going on in the Kingdom, including in the cinema sector, thanks to Vision 2030 — the ambitious plan to transform Saudi Arabia, diversify its economy and open to the world.
“It aims to create an ambitious nation, a thriving economy, and a vibrant society that allows citizens and residents to achieve their dreams, hopes and aspirations, I am happy to see the transformation,” the actor added.
Suriya and Deol also spoke about sharing the screen in “Kanguva,” admiring each other’s roles and working together.
Deol said he is geared up for the release of “Kanguva,” his first multilingual work in both Tamil and Hindi. He shared his admiration for Suriya, highlighting the powerful presence the actor brings on the screen.
Over the past few weeks, Suriya and Deol have been promoting “Kanguva” across India and abroad.
With Suriya in a double role and Deol as a dangerous villain, the film was made with a budget of over $35million and is one of the most anticipated Indian films of the year.
The film also features Patani as a character connected to both a historical and contemporary timeline. Primarily known for her glamorous roles, action-packed sequences and songs, this role portrays her in a fresh look.
Speaker of Shoura Council leads Saudi delegation at GCC Shoura meeting in Abu Dhabi
- Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi emphasized the prominent regional and international standing of the GCC across political, economic, commercial, and information technology levels, the council said in a report
RIYADH: Saudi Shoura Council Speaker Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the 18th periodic meeting of the Speakers of the Shoura Councils, Houses of Representatives, and National Assemblies of the Gulf Cooperation Council states in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi emphasized the prominent regional and international standing of the GCC across political, economic, commercial, and information technology levels, the council said in a report.
The Kingdom’s delegation included Secretary-General of the Shoura Council Mohammed Dakhil Al-Mutiri and members of the Shoura Council Fadel bin Saad Al-Buainain and Dr. Arwa bint Obaid Al-Rashid, among others.
Saudi Arabia highlights military growth at Airshow China
- Kingdom’s defense industry aims to forge global partnerships at Zhuhai event
- Defense sector is projected to contribute $17 billion to the Saudi economy by 2030
RIYADH: Military products and the achievements of both government bodies and national companies are highlighted at the Saudi pavilion at this year’s China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition.
Airshow China 2024, one of the world’s largest aviation expos, started in Zhuhai on Tuesday and will run until Nov. 17.
The Saudi pavilion features military products, particularly in aviation, and turns the spotlight on national companies that work in military industries. It also underscores efforts to boost national manufacturing capabilities and the aim of localizing over 50 percent of government spending on military equipment and services by 2030.
Launching events at the pavilion was the governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, Ahmad Al-Ohali, who was joined by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili and the Saudi ambassador to China, Abdulrahman Al-Harbi. Other officials, international investors and aviation and aerospace decision-makers were also present.
Al-Ohali said: “This strategic participation, occurring for the first time in China, aims to enhance the Kingdom’s global presence in the military industries sector and to solidify its position as one of the fastest-growing economies among the G20 nations.
“Our participation also seeks to establish fruitful international partnerships to empower and develop the military industries sector, while also promoting the Kingdom’s message of welcoming investors from around the world. Additionally, it aims to highlight the key objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 within the military sector.”
The defense sector is projected to contribute $17 billion to the Saudi economy by 2030, with a $9 billion addition to non-oil revenues. This will generate 100,000 direct and indirect jobs by the end of the decade.
The Saudi pavilion features government bodies such as the Ministry of Investment and the General Authority for Defense Development, as well as public national companies such as the National Company for Mechanical Systems, Saudi Wakeb Company for Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems, Milestone Aviation, and Homat Al-Watan Co.
The General Authority for Military Industries works closely with partners and government bodies to empower national and international companies in the military industry, enhance the defense sector’s potential, and create investment opportunities.
It also focuses on localizing cutting-edge aerospace technologies to support Saudi economic growth and strengthen defense and security independence.
‘Greening Arabia’ offers pioneering forum for a sustainable future
- The event promises to be a vibrant hub of innovation and collaboration
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, it is also taking significant strides toward environmental stewardship.
The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification is organizing the International Exhibition and Forum on Afforestation Technologies’ second annual “Greening Arabia” event, which will run from Dec. 2-13.
The event promises to be a vibrant hub of innovation and collaboration, featuring participation from government bodies, private enterprises, non-profit organizations, and leading experts from around the globe.
Attendees will include prominent local and international companies specializing in cutting-edge afforestation technologies, making it a unique opportunity to explore the latest advancements in combating desertification and drought.
IEFAT is a pivotal platform for discovering new environmental, economic, and knowledge-based opportunities.
The forum fosters strategic partnerships that can drive impactful change by bringing together diverse stakeholders — from environmental and renewable energy industries to sustainable enterprises and non-profits.
“Greening Arabia” aims to harness advanced technologies to enhance afforestation in arid environments and rehabilitate degraded lands.
The event will encourage participation in the Saudi Green Initiative, empowering local and international communities to embrace afforestation as a vital practice. It will also showcase innovative tools and methodologies, giving specialized companies the chance to present their groundbreaking products and projects.
Participants will engage in discussions on best practices in environmental economics, creating a shared vision for a sustainable future. The forum will identify investment opportunities in greening technologies and vegetation cover.
The COP16 president, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, said: “This is a pivotal moment for our planet. Land restoration is vital to securing a prosperous future for generations to come.”
He made his statement at the “Road to Riyadh” event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Sept. 27.
“It is crucial the international community unites to deliver ambitious and lasting solutions that curb land degradation, combat drought, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources,” added Al-Fadley.
He noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 reflects its commitment to both domestic and international environmental preservation and restoration, highlighting the Saudi Green Initiative, the Middle East Green Initiative, and the G20 Global Land Initiative.
