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RIYADH: Saudi Post and Oman Post have issued a joint commemorative stamp to mark the inauguration of the new road that connects the two countries.
The stamp highlights their strong bilateral relations, and contains a picture of Saudi King Salman and Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
RIYADH: Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi minister of culture and chairman of the Heritage Preservation Society, has announced the success of including the Simsimiyya musical instrument in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.
Saudi Arabia supported on Wednesday an Egyptian request to inscribe the Simsimiyya on UNESCO’s list during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Simsimiyya is part of Saudi culture in coastal towns, and is used to play traditional music at weddings and festivals alongside songs narrating stories of sailors and social life near the sea, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Simsimiyya, which is made from a wooden box or bowl lyre with strings, is also famous in Egypt.
It is the latest Saudi cultural element to be added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage list. Other elements were Saudi Khawlani coffee beans, the art of engraving on metals, the Harees dish, Arabic calligraphy, and the palm tree.
Simsimiyya has passed down through the generations in Saudi Arabia and become part of the Kingdom’s artistic identity and collective memory, and is still played at cultural and social events, SPA reported.
RIYADH: The Saudi Royal Commission for AlUla announced the birth of a rare litter of three Arabian leopard cubs on Wednesday as part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to protect endangered species.
The triplets, two males and one female, were born at RCU’s Arabian Leopard Breeding Center this summer, which is sponsored by the Arabian Leopard Fund.
This is the third documented birth of the Arabian leopard in 30 years, and the first in Saudi captivity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The RCU’s breeding center has been at the forefront of preserving this critically endangered species of big cats.
One of the center’s missions is to protect and safeguard 30 percent of land and sea habitats for species as part of the Saudi Green Initiative.
The mother of the Arabian leopard triplets, Ward, is six years old, and their father, Baher, is 13.
Baher was brought to RCU’s center in December 2023 as part of a regional exchange program to enhance the genetic diversity of the Arabian leopard breed.
The triplets were vaccinated and underwent medical examinations to determine their gender, SPA reported.
Experts at the RCU’s center said that the two males were showing active behaviors through playing and climbing rocks, while the female appeared calmer and attached to the mother.
The three of them are expected to stay together with their mother for 18 months.
The RCU’s breeding center is currently sponsoring the care of 32 leopards.
In 2024, the center saw the birth of five leopards, following seven births in 2023.
RIYADH: A new Saudi government-backed professional upskilling program allows trainees to “progress at their own pace” and tailor their learning for their own individual needs, a program leader told Arab News.
Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program recently launched MicroX, a learning program with tailored educational paths aimed at being compatible with rapid changes in the labor market.
In collaboration with the National eLearning Center, or NELC, academic institutions, industry leaders and Sector Skills Councils, MicroX aims to launch 350 microprograms in partnership with universities and employers in specialized sectors within four years.
Hajar Salman Binasfour, deputy director general for empowerment at the National eLearning Center, told Arab News that the initiative emphasized “flexibility and accessibility to support learners balancing work or personal commitments.
“Programs are designed to offer customizable educational paths, allowing participants to progress at their own pace and tailor learning to their schedules,” she said.
Programs are offered in eLearning mode, providing a focused process of learning skills or competencies that ends with an assessment and a certificate.
“The digital delivery of micro-programs enables access to materials and classes both synchronously and asynchronously, accommodating various time zones and schedules,” she said. “This format promotes a seamless learning experience, supported by digital certification to validate achievements.”
The development of the program consists of three phases, which begin “by identifying skills required by employers and stakeholders, guided by data from Sector Skills Councils and analyzed by NELC,” Binasfour said.
“This ensures programs are grounded in the current and future skill landscape. The councils’ collaboration ensures educational content aligns with real-world applications, maintaining program relevance,” she said. “NELC oversees feedback collection, refining program documents and identifying development areas.”
Phase two consists of refining program content, and securing recognition from academic institutions and industry leaders while integrating feedback.
Binasfour said that programs are developed in collaboration with universities, academic experts and industry specialists, ensuring that content remains relevant and practical.
The last stage, phase three, involves program launches and continuous evaluation. Outcomes of certificate holders are assessed, and employer feedback on program effectiveness.
“Phase three launches, monitors and evaluates programs for effectiveness, with assessments from employers and stakeholders ensuring skills meet market expectations. This multi-phase approach ensures MicroX programs remain dynamic, relevant, and capable of equipping learners for evolving job markets.”
MicroX has collaborated with more than 200 partners, including international universities and employers, and enhances the curriculum development and delivery of the microprograms.
“This network ensures programs are industry-aligned, globally recognized, and meet high academic and professional standards. International universities contribute diverse perspectives, research expertise, and academic rigor, ensuring curricula are current with global trends and applicable both locally and internationally,” Binasfour said. “Academic partnerships introduce innovative teaching methods and specialized knowledge that improve learning quality.”
Employers provide insights into workplace requirements, tailoring content to reflect real-world applications.
“This involvement results in hands-on learning opportunities such as case studies, internships and projects, preparing students for immediate transitions to the workforce.”
The success of the “MicroX” initiative will be assessed through a “combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics,” Binasfour said.
“Key indicators include the employability rate of program graduates and their transition into the workforce with relevant skills. The rate of job acquisition or career advancement among graduates will be a primary measure.
“Alignment of acquired skills with labor market demands will be evaluated through feedback from Sector Skills Councils and industry partners. These groups ensure training programs match current and projected industry needs by gathering employer input and analyzing trends,” she said.
Other metrics include the number of partnerships with employers and academic institutions, and the recognition of micro-programs across sectors.
“Broader economic impacts, such as GDP growth attributed to a skilled workforce and reduced government spending on subsidies due to improved employability, will also be considered.”
Binasfour said that success in fostering innovation was measured by the number of patents, new technologies, or other advancements from program participants.
“Learner engagement, completion rates, and feedback on training applicability provide additional insights into program quality and impact, ensuring the initiative meets market needs and supports long-term workforce development,” she said.
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan met with his Croatian counterpart Marko Primorac at the Zakat, Tax and Customs Conference in Riyadh on Wednesday.
They discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation as well as prominent topics related to global economy and finance, the Saudi minister wrote on X.
He also met separately with his Indonesian counterpart, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, and Indian Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, to discuss bilateral relations.
The Riyadh Metro opened to much fanfare on Sunday, with the promise to cut traffic congestion in the Saudi capital.
Several of its stations are nothing short of architectural marvels, having been designed by some of the world’s most renowned firms.
Arab News took a look at five of the most significant stations, four of which are on the blue line, which opened this week.
King Abdullah Financial District Station
Perhaps the most recognizable of all, the 42,000 sq. meter KAFD Station, was designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects.
The station connects the blue, yellow and purple lines, serving as the terminus for visitors traveling from Riyadh’s airport to the financial district, and a vital hub for those traveling southwards into the city center.
STC Station
Centrally located, the STC Station connects the blue and red lines and was designed by Germany’s Gerber Architekten.
Inspired by the natural limestone formations in the Tuwaiq mountains that encircle the city, the station has an outdoor plaza area and four levels extending 30 meters below ground.
Qasr Al-Hokm Station
The Qasr Al-Hokm Station connects the blue and orange lines and features a distinctive stainless-steel canopy and outdoor plaza.
It was designed by Norwegian firm Snohetta.
National Museum Station
The 19,400 sq. meter National Museum Station connects the blue and green lines in Riyadh’s Al-Batha neighborhood.
Western Station
Riyadh-based international architects Omrania designed the Western Station, located at the site of a former vegetable market at the terminus of the orange line, which is due to open in January.
