The Kingdom is making huge financial investments in human resources, but is not being able to effectively stop brain drain like other developing countries, say experts. Some of the reasons for the migration of minds, they say, are bureaucracy and a lack of practical environment or low financial returns.
Shedding light on the reasons behind this migration, Khaled Yahya, a lawyer, said: “We must first have knowledge of statistics to recognize the magnitude of the phenomenon. The Kingdom provides an economically attractive environment but not at the required level. Then there is this bureaucracy which is a main obstacle facing innovation and business performance.”
He said: “Advanced countries are able to provide the scientific, social and economic climate that encourages creative minds to function there. The Kingdom needs more of these attractive factors, and this represents a loss for us and knowledge gain for attractive countries.”
“The reasons for such migration can be attributed to many factors, including corruption, absence of social and political freedom, lack of appreciation of scientific and political skills, in addition to low financial return and expenditures on scientific research, which is nearly 5 percent of public spending. In addition, bureaucracy may force creative minds to work radically far from their specialties,” Yahya said.
Ibrahim Al-Omar, vice rector of Qassim University, said: “Sponsorship of creative human resources should be a main development priority of nations.” He said that the Kingdom is witnessing such a phenomenon due to the scientific progress it has achieved, the huge investment in human resources, and easy communication between scientists, thinkers and experienced people, which make other countries compete to draw competent Saudi minds.
“The authorities concerned should consider this phenomenon to understand its magnitude, determine the reasons and specify migratory scientific disciplines; as such, migration is usually due to financial reasons, lack of an attractive scientific environment and education and health care opportunities,” Al-Omar urged.
“Although the Kingdom acts as a home for many migratory minds, directing efforts to improve the scientific and practical environment could reduce the chances of cross-border migration of distinguished human resources,” he added.
Time to check brain drain, warn experts
Time to check brain drain, warn experts
Najdi designs dazzle visitors at Tyn Festival in Diriyah
- Located in the At-Turaif World Heritage Site in Diriyah, the event highlights the history of the city and the legacy of its mud architecture
RIYADH: Diriyah Season is welcoming visitors to explore the region’s rich history and traditional architecture through the Tyn Festival, held until mid-February.
Located in the At-Turaif World Heritage Site in Diriyah, the event highlights the history of the city and the legacy of its mud architecture, a milestone of innovation and sustainability in urban development.
The event is attracting a diverse audience, including art lovers, creatives, architects, designers, and people from all age groups who are seeking to discover Diriyah and the authentic heritage of sites such as At-Turaif.
Various forms of art are on display, as well as the materials used to build Najdi houses in the past, including clay, rocks, and wicker.
In addition, visitors at Tyn will have the opportunity to watch clips of architects explaining the steps involved in designing a Najdi home, learn about 3D-printing in design and engage in a clay workshop at the end of the tour.
“Clay is the material of the Arabian Peninsula,” noted Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, special adviser to King Salman and founder and chairman of the nonprofit Al-Turath Foundation.
During the opening of the event, Prince Sultan gave a speech on the importance of preserving heritage such as the traditional (mud) buildings that are an essential part of Saudi and Najdi culture.
“Diriyah during the 80s was an abandoned area,” he said, elaborating on the development efforts over the years to present Diriyah as the historical city that people are familiar with now.
Tyn Festival is one of many programs and activities offered by Diriyah Season to draw attention to historic sites and monuments and create a gathering place for lovers of history, culture, and art.
Saudi crown prince discusses ways to support Syrian Arab Republic with president during trip to Riyadh
- Leaders discussed aspects of relations between their countries and opportunities to enhance them in various fields
- They also reviewed developments in regional situations and efforts made in regard to them
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed ways to support the security and stability of the Syrian Arab Republic during interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s first foreign trip since taking office.
The leaders discussed aspects of relations between their countries and opportunities to enhance them in various fields. They also reviewed developments in regional situations and efforts made in regard to them.
President al-#Sharaa in the 1st official visit to #KSAhttps://t.co/wu17EyxVDC pic.twitter.com/NtUfsr7v0f
— SANAEnglishOfficial (@SANAEnOfficial) February 2, 2025
The crown prince congratulated Al-Sharaa on his recent appointment and wished him success in achieving the hopes and aspirations of the Syrian people.
The interim president said Saudi Arabia was committed to supporting his country after meeting Prince Mohammed: “We held a long meeting during which we felt and heard a genuine desire to support Syria in building its future,” Al-Sharaa said in a statement on Telegram.
Military commanders appointed Al-Sharaa interim president weeks after militant forces overran Damascus.
Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, visited Damascus and said the Kingdom was engaged in talks with the US and European partners to help lift economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic that have left the country’s economy decimated.
Tihama’s climate boosts honey production in Baha
RIYADH: The moderate climate and abundant flowering trees in the Tihama area of the Baha region attract thousands of beekeepers with hives, creating an ideal environment for honey production from seasonal and mountainous blossoms.
Beekeeper Mohammed Al-Zahrani said that migration from the Sarawat Mountains to Tihama is driven by favorable climate, rainfall, and tree diversity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He added that this move revitalizes bees after the ziziphus spina-christi season when their population drops, offering fresh pastures for reproduction.
Beekeeper Ali Al-Ghamdi explained that relocating to the governorates of Qalwa, Al-Hujrah, and Wadi Al-Ahsabah provides bees with a year-round food supply and protection from the cold mountain temperatures that can be fatal.
He stressed that beekeeping requires endurance, knowledge, and experience but remains an important and valuable industry, the SPA reported.
Beekeeper Saleh Al-Omari highlighted the coordination among beekeepers in choosing apiary sites, ensuring proper spacing to prevent crossbreeding, promote nutrition, and avoid disease.
Mohammed Al-Shadwi, chairman of the Beekeepers Cooperative Association in Baha, said around 3,000 beekeepers are registered with the association, including professionals with over 1,000 hives and amateurs with about 100. They represent 16 percent of the Kingdom’s total beekeepers.
The region produces 20 percent of Saudi Arabia’s honey annually, totaling around 1,000 tonnes across 15 varieties, according to the SPA.
Saudi Arabia strengthens cultural ties at Delhi book fair
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is taking part in the New Delhi World Book Fair, being held at Pragati Maidan from Feb. 1-9.
Its involvement is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural cooperation between the Kingdom and India, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.
The commission aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s role in the global cultural and literary landscape, raise awareness of its heritage and highlight its publications and contribution to the international literary scene. It also seeks to promote cultural and intellectual exchange between the two countries.
The commission’s pavilion features its literary and cultural initiatives, including “Tarjim” which supports Saudi Arabia’s translation movement. It also hosts sections dedicated to the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language and the King Fahd National Library.
Saudi Arabia was previously guest of honor at the 2024 New Delhi World Book Fair, where it organized various programs and events reflecting the Kingdom’s cultural and creative landscape.
KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) humanitarian and relief efforts continue with the distribution of food, hygiene supplies as well as the provision of emergency transport services.
In in Ma’arrat Misrin of Syria’s Idlib Governorate, KSrelief handed out 672 food boxes and 672 hygiene kits as part of the second phase of the food aid and hygiene kit distribution project for populations affected by the earthquake in 2025.
In Lebanon’s Akkar Governorate and Miniyeh district, the aid agency during the past week distributed 175,000 bags of bread to Syrian and Palestinian refugees as well as residents of host communities. The initiative was part of the fourth phase of Al-Amal Charitable Bakery Project in the country.
In the Battagram and Buner districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as well as the Sukkur district in Sindh province of Pakistan, 2,160 food packages were given to families in flood-affected areas as part of the Food Security Support Project 2025
Meanwhile, KSrelief delivered 125 tonnes of dates to Sudan as a gift from the Kingdom.
In north Lebanon, the KSrelief-funded ambulance service of Subul Al-Salam Social Association in the Miniyeh district carried out 61 missions during the past week, including transporting patients to and from hospitals and treating burn injuries.
