Saudi students secure 114 awards at global science, tech contests

Saudi students secure 114 awards at global science, tech contests
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Saudi students at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2024 and International Inventions, Innovations, Technology Competition and Exhibition 2024. (SPA)
Saudi students secure 114 awards at global science, tech contests
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Male and female students from the Kingdom excelled in the ISEF 2024 and ITEX 2024, winning a total of 114 medals. (SPA)
Saudi students secure 114 awards at global science, tech contests
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The ISEF 2024 event was held May 10-17 in Los Angeles, US, while ITEX 2024 was held May 16-17 in Malaysia. (SPA)
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Updated 19 May 2024
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Saudi students secure 114 awards at global science, tech contests

Saudi students secure 114 awards at global science, tech contests
  • Minister praises students’ excellence, reaffirms Kingdom’s commitment to education and innovation

RIYADH: Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan extended congratulations to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following the achievements of Saudi students at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2024 and International Inventions, Innovations, Technology Competition and Exhibition 2024.

In a significant national triumph, male and female students from the Kingdom excelled in the ISEF 2024 and ITEX 2024, winning a total of 114 medals. The ISEF 2024 event was held May 10-17 in Los Angeles, US, while ITEX 2024 was held May 16-17 in Malaysia.

The outstanding performance of the students reflects the attention given to education under the Saudi leadership in pursuit of global excellence, the minister said.

“This achievement reflects the efforts made to reach global championship platforms and represent the Kingdom in the best manner possible. It also demonstrates to the world the level we plan and aspire to achieve, with national efforts and distinguished partners,” Al-Benyan said.

The minister also extended his thanks and congratulations to the students and their families, teachers, and education partners who contributed to motivating them and enhancing their capabilities.

These include the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, Tuwaiq Academy, and Misk Schools, the minister said.

At ISEF 2024, Saudi students won 27 awards, including nine individual and 18 grand awards. Notable winners include Hamad Al-Husseini and Abeer Al-Yousef, who secured second-place awards in the energy and chemistry categories, respectively. Elias Khan, Sulaiman Al-Misnad, Latifa Al-Ghannam, Turki Al-Dalami, Tahani Ahmed, and Laila Zawawi won six third-place awards across various categories.

The team also won 10 fourth-place awards, with students such as Nasser Al-Suwayyan, Lana Al-Mazrouei, Yara Al-Qadi, Yara Al-Bakri, Shahad Al-Mutlaq, Asma Al-Qaseer, Areej Al-Qarni, Lana Al-Fheed, Layan Al-Maliki, and Tamara Radi excelling in fields ranging from biomedical engineering to plant sciences.

In addition, the Kingdom’s students garnered 87 gold and silver medals and major individual prizes across 48 projects at ITEX 2024 in Malaysia. Among the major prize winners were Lamia Al-Otaibi, Mohammed Abu Ghandar, and Al-Sadeem Al-Odaibi.

Gold medals were awarded to several students from various institutions, including Lamia Al-Otaibi, Sadeem Al-Odaibi, Mohammed Abu Ghandar, and others from the Eastern Province, Makkah, Riyadh, Qassim, Madinah, Jazan, and the Royal Commission in Jubail. Additional gold medalists included students from Tuwaiq Academy and Misk Schools.

Silver medals at ITEX 2024 were awarded to students from the Riyadh, Makkah, and Eastern Province education departments, as well as the Royal Commission in Jubail and the Tuwaiq Academy. Maryam Al-Muhaish, Lamia Al-Otaibi, Ghad Al-Sheikh, Manal Al-Askari, Sadeem bin Tuwaim, and several others from the Tuwaiq Academy won individual awards.
 


Japan ‘delighted’ with interest shown by Saudi tourists

Japan ‘delighted’ with interest shown by Saudi tourists
Updated 14 sec ago
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Japan ‘delighted’ with interest shown by Saudi tourists

Japan ‘delighted’ with interest shown by Saudi tourists
  • Japan held its first tourism-consumer event in Riyadh this month
  • Saudi visitors to Japan up by 72.2%, according to leading official

DUBAI: Japan is “delighted” with the rising interest from Saudi Arabia travelers in the Asia nation’s tourism offerings, according to a leading official on Monday.

Daisuke Kobayashi, executive director of the Japan National Tourism Organization’s office in Dubai, said that JNTO’s first event in Riyadh, titled “FEEL YOUR FOUR SEASONS,” allowed the organization to share the diverse attractions of his country.

“We are honored to have hosted our very first consumer event in Riyadh at such a meaningful time, as we approach the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2025,” he stated in a press release.

The event, which took place on Dec. 6 and 7, provided visitors with an introduction to Japan’s diverse seasonal attractions, including luxury travel experiences available across the Asian country’s regions.

Visitors were treated to two domes that showcased Japan’s spring and autumn landscapes, along with exhibitions introducing delicacies, activities and travel content specific to each season.

As Saudi Arabia prepares to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh, the event also featured participation from the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, representing Osaka, the host city of Expo 2025.

The event was attended by approximately 2,000 guests, including local consumers, media representatives, and influencers.

According to Kobayashi, in the first half of 2024, there was a 72.2 percent increase in visitors from Saudi Arabia to Japan, compared to the same period in 2023.

He said that Japan offers a variety of “unique experiences” throughout the year including train journeys during the cherry blossom season, and ikebana (flower arrangement) workshops.

There is also forest bathing in “lush green woods during summer, temple stays surrounded by autumn foliage, skiing on pristine powder snow and even drift-ice walking tours in Japan’s northernmost regions during winter.”

This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Saudi Arabia proposes renaming OAPEC into the Arab Energy Organization

Saudi Arabia proposes renaming OAPEC into the Arab Energy Organization
Updated 16 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia proposes renaming OAPEC into the Arab Energy Organization

Saudi Arabia proposes renaming OAPEC into the Arab Energy Organization
  • Resolution to promote stronger cooperation among OAPEC members as part of a larger reconstruction initiative

RIYADH: Members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) signed a resolution on Sunday to rename the organization to the Arab Energy Organization (AEO), the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia had proposed renaming and restructuring the organization during the 113th ministerial meeting in Kuwait this week.

Saudi Arabia's proposal aimed to enhance OAPEC's charter and promote stronger cooperation among its members as part of a larger reconstruction initiative, the SPA added.

These changes will take effect once the 11 member Arab states of OAPEC ratify them according to their national regulations, the SPA also reported.

During the meeting, OAPEC's Secretariat-General pointed out challenges in the energy sector amid regional and international instability in the past years, which prompted the review and development of its activities.

OAPEC, headquartered in Kuwait, is currently led by Qatar.

In 1968, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the former Kingdom of Libya were among the three founding countries of OAPEC in Beirut.

OAPEC members include the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Algeria, Syria, Tunisia, and Egypt. 


Jeddah governor attends Qatar consulate’s national day celebration

Jeddah governor attends Qatar consulate’s national day celebration
Updated 16 December 2024
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Jeddah governor attends Qatar consulate’s national day celebration

Jeddah governor attends Qatar consulate’s national day celebration
  • Diplomats and the consul general attended the ceremony

RIYADH: Jeddah Governor Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi attended a reception on Sunday to commemorate Qatar’s national day, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event, arranged by the country’s consulate in Jeddah, was attended by several Qatari officials from the diplomatic corps who welcomed the prince.

 


Saudi Arabia to hold Hajj conference to improve services for Muslim pilgrims

Saudi Arabia to hold Hajj conference to improve services for Muslim pilgrims
Updated 15 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia to hold Hajj conference to improve services for Muslim pilgrims

Saudi Arabia to hold Hajj conference to improve services for Muslim pilgrims
  • The conference will gather ministers, experts, and diplomats from 87 countries
  • Aims to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is holding the fourth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah from Jan. 13-16 under the patronage of King Salman.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, along with the Pilgrim Experience Program, will host a conference gathering ministers, ambassadors, academics, experts, diplomats, and representatives from private and public institutions across 87 countries.

The conference aims to enhance the quality of services provided to Muslim pilgrims, foster an exchange of experiences, and promote competitiveness and transparency among companies involved in Hajj affairs in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It will feature over 100 speakers, 47 panel discussions, and 50 workshops to address the challenges of enhancing Hajj services and explore ways to support innovative projects in the pilgrimage sector, SPA added.

Alongside the conference, a special exhibition spanning an area of 50,000 square meters in Jeddah will feature 280 exhibitors from various sectors to showcase the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to enhance Hajj.

The latest conference edition resulted in the signing of 202 cooperation agreements to improve Hajj services and attracted over 100,000 visitors from 87 countries.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah urged individuals and organizations to register their interest in participating in the next edition of the conference in January at hajjconfex.com.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli plan on annexed Golan population

An Israeli flag flies on a roof in the town of Majdal Shams, near the so-called Alpha Line.
An Israeli flag flies on a roof in the town of Majdal Shams, near the so-called Alpha Line.
Updated 16 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli plan on annexed Golan population

An Israeli flag flies on a roof in the town of Majdal Shams, near the so-called Alpha Line.
  • Kingdom renews its call to the international community to condemn Israeli violations, stresses need to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, ministry says

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned and denounced the Israeli government’s approval of a plan to double the population of the occupied and annexed Golan Heights.

Israel’s government “unanimously approved” the $11 million “plan for the demographic development of the Golan... in light of the war and the new front in Syria and the desire to double the population,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.

“The Kingdom renews its call to the international community to condemn these Israeli violations, stressing the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement added that the strategic plateau is occupied Syrian Arab land and condemned Israel’s “continued sabotage of Syria’s chances of restoring its security and stability.”

Israel has occupied most of the Golan Heights since 1967 and annexed that area in 1981 in a move recognized only by the United States.