Saudi academy ends month-long Arabic language initiative in Indonesia

The Arabic Language Month in Indonesia highlighted the academy's strategic role in promoting the language. (Supplied)
The Arabic Language Month in Indonesia highlighted the academy's strategic role in promoting the language. (Supplied)
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Updated 04 February 2024
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Saudi academy ends month-long Arabic language initiative in Indonesia

The Arabic Language Month in Indonesia highlighted the academy's strategic role in promoting the language. (Supplied)
  • Three winners in each track were tested remotely in the first stage of the competition, after which they competed in person before the jury at the headquarters of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has concluded its Arabic Language Month in Indonesia, which was held in the cities of Jakarta and Malang between Jan. 7 and Feb. 3.

The initiative included a series of training programs and scientific activities, held in various educational institutions, to help develop Arabic language-teaching curricula and improve the performance of teachers.

The academy sought to teach the Arabic language to non-native speakers, while highlighting Saudi Arabia’s efforts in serving the language and its sciences around the world. It aimed to train teachers, enhance their teaching capabilities, and achieve progress in Arabic language-learning outcomes.

The academy organized a scientific competition on the subject for non-native speakers. It covered three main tracks: storytelling, recitation, and Arabic calligraphy, and 260 people from 84 Indonesian universities participated. The jury established specific criteria and conditions for each track to ensure fairness and transparency in the results.

HIGHLIGHT

The initiative included a series of training programs and activities, held in various educational institutions, to help develop Arabic language- teaching curricula and improve the performance of teachers.

Three winners in each track were tested remotely in the first stage of the competition, after which they competed in person before the jury at the headquarters of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta.

The academy organized various scientific activities in Jakarta for three weeks and in Malang for one. It also conducted four training courses for teachers, focusing on developing the skills of Arabic language teachers for non-native speakers using the latest methods and strategies. In addition, it offered five training courses for learners dedicated to developing Arabic language skills.

The program included two discussion panels covering several topics, including the most important tests used; evaluating Arabic language teachers for non-native speakers; using technology in teaching Arabic; identifying the best available tools and applications; and designing modern programs and materials to teach Arabic to non-native speakers.

Two scientific symposiums were also held, focusing on Saudi Arabia’s efforts in teaching the Arabic language to non-native speakers and the status of its teaching in Indonesia in terms of challenges and opportunities.

The Arabic Language Month in Indonesia underlined the academy’s strategic role in supporting all issues related to the language.

The initiative sought to teach the language to non-native speakers, extending bridges of cooperation between it and interested parties, while strengthening its mission by investing in opportunities to serve the language, preserve its integrity, support it verbally and in writing, promote its global status, raise awareness, and facilitate its teaching.


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 36 min 45 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.


Saudi minister visits Kuwait to pass on Saudi leaders’ condolences after royal’s death

Saudi minister visits Kuwait to pass on Saudi leaders’ condolences after royal’s death
Updated 18 September 2024
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Saudi minister visits Kuwait to pass on Saudi leaders’ condolences after royal’s death

Saudi minister visits Kuwait to pass on Saudi leaders’ condolences after royal’s death
  • Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud conveyed the messages of sympathy to Kuwait’s emir and the country’s prime minister

KUWAIT: Saudi Arabia’s interior minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud visited Kuwait on Wednesday to convey to the country’s emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the condolences of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following the death last week of Sheikh Bader Nasser Al-Hamoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Prince Abdulaziz also offered the Saudi leaders’ condolences to Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The officials who welcomed the minister included Kuwait’s deputy prime minister, the minister of defense and the minister of interior.
Sheikh Bader, a member of the Kuwaiti royal family, died on Sept. 10 at the age of 70.