Saudi students shine at European math Olympiad

Saudi students shine at European math Olympiad
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Saudi students secured two international awards at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO). (X/@mawhiba)
Saudi students shine at European math Olympiad
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Saudi students secured two international awards at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO). (X/@mawhiba)
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Updated 17 April 2024
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Saudi students shine at European math Olympiad

Saudi students shine at European math Olympiad
  • Olympiad is an international math competition for high school girls with a passion for the subject beyond the standard curriculum
  • Saudi students Fatimah Hassan Buali from Al-Ahsa and Retaj Al-Saleh from the Eastern Province earned a bronze medal and a certificate of appreciation, respectively

RIYADH: Two Saudi students excelled in the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad held in Georgia from April 11-17.

The Olympiad is an international math competition for high school girls with a passion for the subject beyond the standard curriculum. This year, 212 students from 54 countries participated.

Saudi Arabia, represented by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) and the Ministry of Education, won two medals in the event.

Saudi students Fatimah Hassan Buali from Al-Ahsa and Retaj Al-Saleh from the Eastern Province earned a bronze medal and a certificate of appreciation, respectively.

This is the Kingdom’s 12th participation in Mathematical Olympiad. Over the years, Saudi students have won two gold, six silver, and 13 bronze medals, as well as seven certificates of appreciation.

Mawhiba’s Secretary-General Amal bint Abdullah Al-Hazzaa said that the students’ successes highlight the integration between Kingdom’s institutions and its commitment to advancing young talents through education and training in line with international standards.

She praised the cooperation between Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education, a partnership that aims to develop Saudi human capital in line with the National Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030.

Mawhiba, in strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Education, operates the Mawhiba Program for International Olympiads, preparing Saudi teams for such competitions. This includes advanced training and curriculum development, aligning with the annual Saudi scientific teams’ participation in international competitions. 

The Saudi girls participating in the Mathematical Olympiad underwent intensive training to develop their scientific skills, and were nominated to participate based on their results in the training forums held by Mawhiba.


Saudi Red Sea Authority issues new regulations for yachts

Saudi Red Sea Authority issues new regulations for yachts
Updated 54 sec ago
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Saudi Red Sea Authority issues new regulations for yachts

Saudi Red Sea Authority issues new regulations for yachts
  • New rules to oversee yacht use in Red Sea, uphold coastal environmental protection

RIYADH: New regulations for yachting in the Red Sea were issued on Thursday, the Saudi Red Sea Authority has announced.

The new rules will outline the necessary requirements and conditions for the use of yachts in Red Sea waters, as well as overseeing the issuance of tourism and leisure licenses and permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They will outline the conditions and procedures for issuing technical licenses for leisure tourism, and the required criteria for yacht owners or authorized tourism maritime agents.

The regulations will also ensure environmental protection for coastal areas, and an adherence to sustainability practices and all safety requirements as part of SRSA’s role in developing the coastal tourism sector.

They will specify the requirements for obtaining a tourism trip permit within Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea waters, including mandatory documentation such as passenger information, sailing destinations, and chartering contract.

The issuance of the new regulations coincides with the launch of SRSA’s awareness campaign More Than a Sea, through which the authority highlights its role in developing the coastal tourism sector.


Saudi women awarded at Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 exhibition

Saudi women awarded at Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 exhibition
Updated 22 min 38 sec ago
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Saudi women awarded at Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 exhibition

Saudi women awarded at Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 exhibition
  • Rafeef Ayedh Alshahrani wins gold for innovative tech; Dr. Najia Al-Zanbagi silver for her work in medical parasitology 

MAKKAH: Two Saudi citizens were awarded prestigious medals for their groundbreaking work at the Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 exhibition, which was held from Aug. 28 to 31 in Bali, Indonesia. 

Rafeef Ayedh Alshahrani, a researcher from King Khalid University, won a gold medal for her innovation “AirEco,” which has the ability to detect and locate living beings in hard-to-reach mountainous terrain, where search efforts are typically hindered by challenging conditions. 

By integrating advanced detection technologies with artificial intelligence, the device provides crucial support to rescue teams. It not only identifies precise locations but also executes functions to assist in rescue operations once the target is located.

It is one of the projects backed by the university’s Agency for Business and Community Partnership, through the Entrepreneurship Center. 

The project has also earned four prestigious awards from Taiwan, Romania, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Reflecting on her achievement, she described it as a truly unique and fulfilling experience. She expressed the joy of seeing the fruits of her hard work over the past days and months, stating that the greatest reward was the pride and recognition from those around her. “It’s an incredible feeling,” she said.

“This accomplishment has fueled my desire to see it implemented quickly and made widely available,” she added. “I sincerely hope that authorities and companies will adopt the project, provide support, and help manufacture it to the highest standards so it can fully achieve its purpose.”

When asked how such achievements can positively influence Saudi participation in international competitions, she said: “Accomplishments serve as a powerful driving force for young people, pushing them toward their ambitions and future goals. 

“The Kingdom’s Vision 2030, in particular, has become a major source of motivation, inspiring all Saudis to think creatively and pursue their aspirations. 

“Saudi achievements have now become a source of national pride, shifting perspectives on the significance of success and its far-reaching impact. These accomplishments are key drivers of development, progress and prosperity. 

“Beyond boosting individual self-confidence, they foster a positive mindset in society, encouraging leadership, innovation and the creation of economic opportunities. The impact of success doesn’t stop with the individual; it resonates throughout the community.”

Dr. Najia Al-Zanbagi, headmaster of Highly Innovative Unique Foundation, also earned a silver medal at the Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 for her remarkable work in medical parasitology.

“My contribution was a personal achievement: I authored a book on medical parasitology, using engaging, narrative-driven stories to simplify the complex scientific content and make it easier for learners to distinguish between various parasites. 

“I first introduced this approach while teaching at King Abdulaziz University, and it was incredibly well received by students, who found the subject much more enjoyable and accessible.” 

She aid that the book, titled “Lisan Al-Hal,” has now been published and is now available in the market.

Dr. Majid Al-Aziman, director of the Entrepreneurship Center at King Khalid University, emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting innovators, raising awareness and redefining the concept of entrepreneurship. 

The university also seeks to spotlight the success of projects incubated by the Entrepreneurship Center and actively contribute to creating new job opportunities.


Saudi authorities close 8 shops for sewing military clothes without license in Riyadh

Saudi authorities close 8 shops for sewing military clothes without license in Riyadh
Updated 30 min 1 sec ago
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Saudi authorities close 8 shops for sewing military clothes without license in Riyadh

Saudi authorities close 8 shops for sewing military clothes without license in Riyadh

RIYADH: The security committee overseeing shops selling and sewing military clothes in Riyadh on Thursday confiscated more than 600 military badges and emblems, and a machine used for embroidering emblems which was violating regulations. It also closed eight shops engaged in sewing military clothes without a license.

The actions came during ongoing inspection tours carried out by the committee and based on the directives of Riyadh authorities to control such violations and take legal action against those acting against the rules.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Province municipality carried out 336 inspections of food and commercial establishments in Al Lahabah, as part of its efforts at monitoring activities.

It also carried out 78 tours of buildings under construction, stressing that these aimed at reducing building violations of all kinds to ensure their conformity with the licenses issued by the municipality and adherence to all specifications.

The tours also seek to raise the quality of work, helping to create a healthy urban environment.


KSrelief donation helps women trainees in Aden

KSrelief donation helps women trainees in Aden
Updated 37 min 11 sec ago
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KSrelief donation helps women trainees in Aden

KSrelief donation helps women trainees in Aden
  • A total of 42,960 women in different Yemeni governorates have benefited from the project

ADEN: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has provided professional equipment to 24 women being trained in sewing and embroidery, hairdressing, and cosmetology in Yemen’s Aden governorate.

The donation comes as part of a joint project with the UN Population Fund to help vulnerable women and girls in the country develop livelihoods.

A total of 42,960 women in Aden, Shabwa, Lahj, Mahra, Marib, and Hadramout governorates have benefited from the project, which offers vocational and professional training programs, as well as social services and protection for victims of gender-based violence.

Elsewhere, the center recently distributed 900 food baskets in Ad Dabbah in the Northern State of Sudan, benefiting 5,280 people affected by torrential rains. The aid was part of the food security support project in the country.


Saudi language academy celebrates graduation of first Abjad Center cohort

Saudi language academy celebrates graduation of first Abjad Center cohort
Updated 42 min 27 sec ago
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Saudi language academy celebrates graduation of first Abjad Center cohort

Saudi language academy celebrates graduation of first Abjad Center cohort
  • The program combined Arabic language education with Arab and Saudi cultural experiences

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language recently celebrated the graduation of the first class from its Abjad Center for Arabic Language Education with a ceremony marking the completion of the program by 132 students from 34 countries.

The educational program began in mid-January at the academy’s headquarters in the Saudi capital, and featured an immersive program that combined Arabic language education with Arab and Saudi cultural experiences.

Four educational levels — A1, A2, B1 and B2 — each spanned two months, totaling 160 instructional hours at a rate of 20 hours per week.

Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of KSGAAL, said: “The graduation of the first cohort from the Abjad Center aligns with our suite of educational programs designed for non-native Arabic learners. The center offers an engaging curriculum within a stimulating cultural environment, facilitating Arabic language acquisition and enabling graduates to communicate effectively in Arabic.”

Al-Washmi said that the program’s graduates accomplished four crucial objectives: attaining proficiency in Arabic language skills, successfully applying written and oral Arabic techniques across various linguistic challenges, demonstrating effective linguistic and social communication in diverse Arab settings, and gaining insights into key elements of Arab and Saudi cultures.

“Our program’s hallmark was its emphasis on dynamic dialogues, diverse perspectives, and both verbal and written exchanges,” Al-Washmi said.

“Students found opportunities for self-expression and practical language application in a variety of contexts, both within our structured activities and in everyday life outside the program. They also leveraged media and social platforms for effective communication and encountered a wide range of information and viewpoints, all in Arabic.”

The Abjad Center promotes Arabic language and Saudi Arabian culture as part of its core mission. Students took part in a blend of activities and educational excursions, exploring local customs, traditions, and tourist hotspots. This approach not only deepened their cultural understanding, but also honed their Arabic proficiency in speaking, writing, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

Al-Washmi highlighted the center’s approach to Arabic language and exposure to Saudi culture, which exposes learners to Saudi heritage, customs, and traditions, while also introducing the Kingdom’s tourist and archaeological sites.

“Through enrichment activities and educational field trips, students gain a deeper understanding of Saudi culture,” Al-Washmi said.

“This comprehensive approach not only clarifies concepts related to Arabic language structures, vocabulary, phonetics, and spelling, but also allows students to practically apply Arabic language skills in both spoken and written forms.”