Documentary book on ‘Our Football is Our Culture’ national initiative launched in Eastern Province

Held under the patronage of the governor of the Eastern Province, the ceremony honored several sports and cultural figures. (SPA)
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Held under the patronage of the governor of the Eastern Province, the ceremony honored several sports and cultural figures. (SPA)
Held under the patronage of the governor of the Eastern Province, the ceremony honored several sports and cultural figures. (SPA)
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Held under the patronage of the governor of the Eastern Province, the ceremony honored several sports and cultural figures. (SPA)
Held under the patronage of the governor of the Eastern Province, the ceremony honored several sports and cultural figures. (SPA)
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Held under the patronage of the governor of the Eastern Province, the ceremony honored several sports and cultural figures. (SPA)
Held under the patronage of the governor of the Eastern Province, the ceremony honored several sports and cultural figures. (SPA)
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Held under the patronage of the governor of the Eastern Province, the ceremony honored several sports and cultural figures. (SPA)
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Updated 29 December 2023
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Documentary book on ‘Our Football is Our Culture’ national initiative launched in Eastern Province

Documentary book on ‘Our Football is Our Culture’ national initiative launched in Eastern Province

RIYADH: A ceremony was held on Thursday to launch the documentary book based on the national initiative “Our Football is Our Culture,” which won the Books for Peace International Award in 2022, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

Held under the patronage of Governor of the Eastern Province Prince Saud bin Nayef, the ceremony honored the participants and a number of sports and cultural figures, in the presence of Chairman of the Saudi Journalists Association Khalid Al-Malik, at the Signature Hotel in Al-Khobar governorate.

Tariq Al-Qahtani, director of the branch of the Ministry of Sports office in the Eastern Province, praised the support that Saudi sports received from the leadership, and the attention given by the governor of the Eastern Province to sports clubs in the area.

Jassim Al-Yaqout, the chairman of the supreme committee organizing the ceremony, stressed the importance of sports and cultural initiatives in enhancing awareness and cultural understanding and promoting dialogue between cultures.

He said that the “Our Football is Our Culture” initiative was an inspiring model for sports and athletes, and enhanced the national sports and cultural affiliation of the community.

“I extend my thanks to the emir of the Eastern Province for his patronage, interest and follow-up of sports affairs in the region,” he said.

Al-Yaqout said that the book was displayed in more than 400 Arab universities, the Olympic Museum in Qatar, the Football Museum in Kazakhstan, and the Amin Saati Sports Museum in Jeddah, which enhanced its status and global success.

The ceremony included several visual presentations about sports work locally, in the Gulf and Arab regions, and internationally.


Hundreds of non-native speakers take Saudi Arabia’s standardized Arabic test

Hundreds of non-native speakers take Saudi Arabia’s standardized Arabic test
Updated 35 sec ago
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Hundreds of non-native speakers take Saudi Arabia’s standardized Arabic test

Hundreds of non-native speakers take Saudi Arabia’s standardized Arabic test
  • Total of 315 candidates from 22 countries take part

RIYADH: Hundreds of non-native speakers have been tested on their Arabic language skills in Saudi Arabia’s new standardized language test this week, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

A total of 315 candidates from 22 countries took the Hamza Arabic Language Test in person, which was conducted by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, in collaboration with seven Saudi universities.

The test is a computerized, codified test which measures the Arabic language proficiency of non-native speakers. It was first introduced in December 2023 and designed in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Seven tests have been administered since its introduction to evaluate the language skills of 1,979 people in Saudi Arabia, China, Indonesia, and India.

The test is part of KSGAAL’s endeavors to raise the status of the Arabic language locally, regionally, and internationally, according to Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, the secretary-general of the KSGAAL.

Dr. Saad Al-Qahtani, head of the Educational Programs Sector at KSGAAL. (Supplied)

Dr. Saad Al-Qahtani, head of the Educational Programs Sector at KSGAAL, told Arab News: “The increasing demand for learning Arabic for various educational, vocational, and cultural objectives has prompted the need to design a unified global test measuring the Arabic language proficiency that helps enroll in educational programs or meets the needs of the labor market.

“Since mastering language skills is a prerequisite for employment, KSGAAL seeks to enhance cooperation with the entities concerned with teaching the Arabic language to non-native speakers.”

The Hamza academic test is designed in accordance with the highest global standards, with a view to consolidating efforts and developing practices in teaching the Arabic language to non-native speakers, Al-Qahtani added, while also hoping that the test would become a reference for measuring the level of the Arabic language proficiency of non-native speakers locally, regionally, and internationally.

The universities participating were: Umm Al-Qura University, Islamic University of Madinah, King Abdulaziz University, King Faisal University, Taif University, Qassim University, and Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University.


Saudi Arabia secures 14th position in Global AI Index, 1st in Arab world

Saudi Arabia secures 14th position in Global AI Index, 1st in Arab world
Updated 19 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia secures 14th position in Global AI Index, 1st in Arab world

Saudi Arabia secures 14th position in Global AI Index, 1st in Arab world
  • Remarkable milestone of 17-rank improvement among 83 countries underscores Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in AI adoption and development
  • Achievement highlights the unwavering support provided by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant leap in the field of artificial intelligence, securing 14th position globally and topping the Arab world in the Global AI Index for 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The Global AI Index is one of the indicators of the international classification of artificial intelligence issued by UK-based news website Tortoise Media.
The remarkable milestone of a 17-rank improvement among 83 countries underscores Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in AI adoption and development.
The Kingdom’s continued leadership in the Government Strategy sub-pillar solidifies its position as a global AI leader. Its seventh-place ranking in the Commercial Ecosystem sub-pillar further demonstrates its commitment to investing in AI technologies and fostering a thriving AI ecosystem.
The Global AI Index, a comprehensive assessment of AI capabilities across 83 countries, evaluates performance based on 122 indicators grouped into three pillars: Implementation, Innovation and Investment.
These pillars are further divided into seven sub-pillars: Talent, Infrastructure, Operating Environment, Research, Development, Government Strategy and Commercial Ecosystem.
The achievement highlights the unwavering support provided by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who chairs the board of directors of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, the SPA report added.
Under his guidance, the SDAIA has been instrumental in advancing the field of data and AI, developing national capabilities and fostering innovation. This strategic approach positions Saudi Arabia as a leading data-driven and AI-powered economy.


Saudi students’ water-saving device wins top prize in sustainability contest

Saudi students’ water-saving device wins top prize in sustainability contest
Updated 19 September 2024
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Saudi students’ water-saving device wins top prize in sustainability contest

Saudi students’ water-saving device wins top prize in sustainability contest
  • Team Magic AI’s gadget can help people reduce waste at home
  • ‘Building a sustainable future begins today,’ Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah says

RIYADH: A group of Saudi students have developed an award-winning device that can be attached to household taps to conserve water.

Team Magic AI, from King Faisal University, King Khalid University and King Saud University, took first place and a SR20,000 ($5,330) cash prize in the inaugural TCS Sustainathon competition with their device.

The competition, organized by Tata Consultancy Services, challenged students to develop sustainable solutions for urban environments.

The winning device monitors consumption and detects leaks, allowing users to reduce the amount of water they waste in their homes.

Abdulrahman Al-Hassan, one of the winning students from King Saud University, said: “Our goal was to make water conservation achievable for everyone.

“The TCS Sustainathon provided a platform to collaborate and bring our idea to life. We’re excited to see how this solution can evolve and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

The competition drew over 300 participants and more than 65 submissions, with the top 12 teams presenting their ideas to a panel of judges at the King Khalid Foundation headquarters in Riyadh.

The event was held in the presence of Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah, CEO of the KKF.

As well as the cash prize, Team Magic AI won an internship at TCS, where they will have access to the resources they need to develop their product.

The second- and third-place teams won SR15,000 and SR10,000 respectively, while all of the other finalists received SR5,000 and gift vouchers in recognition of their contributions.

The competition, which is supported by the KKF, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, focused on using technology to address pressing sustainability issues in Saudi cities.

Sumanta Roy, president and regional head of TCS Middle East & Africa, said: “Saudi Arabia is rapidly urbanizing and TCS is committed to supporting the development of urban environments where people and nature coexist. The innovative solutions presented reflect a deep understanding of the challenges facing our modern-day cities.”

Princess Nouf emphasized the competition’s alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

“Building a sustainable future begins today through decisions that improve the environment, economy and society together. Sustainability is a deep commitment to our communities,” she said.


Royal order approves basic law of King Salman Foundation

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. (File/SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 57 min 59 sec ago
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Royal order approves basic law of King Salman Foundation

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. (File/SPA)
  • The foundation is an extension of the charitable and humanitarian works of the king, SPA said

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s king issued a royal order approving the basic law of the King Salman Foundation, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The non-profit foundation is an extension of the charitable and humanitarian works of the king, SPA said.

“Investing in people and developing their culture and pride in their identity is a permanent approach that we will always continue,” King Salman wrote on X.

“Because we seek to confront human challenges and sustain the prosperity of societies, we are launching the King Salman Non-Profit Foundation, and we look forward to making a lasting impact on individuals and society,” he added.


KSrelief delivers food aid to Yemen, Sudan 

KSrelief delivers food aid to Yemen, Sudan 
Updated 19 September 2024
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KSrelief delivers food aid to Yemen, Sudan 

KSrelief delivers food aid to Yemen, Sudan 
  • The deliveries are part of the 2024 food aid project for affected populations in Yemen and Sudan

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief delivered almost 1,400 food aid parcels to thousands of people in Yemen’s Taiz Governorate and Sudan’s Red Sea State, state news agency SPA reported on Thursday.

In the Mawasit District of Taiz, 381 food parcels were delivered, benefiting 2,667 people from 381 of the neediest families affected by flooding.

Sudan’s Red Sea State received 1,000 food parcels for 5,791 people.

The deliveries are part of the 2024 food aid project for affected populations in Yemen and Sudan.

Meanwhile, KSrelief delivered 3,104 cartons of dates to the needy, orphans and people with special needs living in Wadi Al-Ain and Hawra in Yemen’s Hadramout Governorate.