Tuwaiq Academy, Meta to open Saudi Arabia’s first diploma in game development, virtual worlds

Tuwaiq Academy, Meta to open Saudi Arabia’s first diploma in game development, virtual worlds
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The program aims to support the labor market with national talents possessing the best capabilities and skills to innovate in various technical fields. (SPA)
Tuwaiq Academy, Meta to open Saudi Arabia’s first diploma in game development, virtual worlds
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The program aims to support the labor market with national talents possessing the best capabilities and skills to innovate in various technical fields. (SPA)
Tuwaiq Academy, Meta to open Saudi Arabia’s first diploma in game development, virtual worlds
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The program aims to support the labor market with national talents possessing the best capabilities and skills to innovate in various technical fields. (SPA)
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Updated 22 August 2024
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Tuwaiq Academy, Meta to open Saudi Arabia’s first diploma in game development, virtual worlds

Tuwaiq Academy, Meta to open Saudi Arabia’s first diploma in game development, virtual worlds
  • Participants will learn how to build and develop application projects under the supervision of a specialized teaching staff within two semesters totaling over 800 training hours
  • The academy is the first of its kind to provide specialized technical camps and educational programs in partnership with global entities such as Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, Alibaba 

RIYADH: Tuwaiq Academy and Meta will launch on September 15 a diploma program in game development and virtual worlds, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday, the academy said the program #aims to empower national capabilities with essential skills in game development, building virtual worlds, and augmented and virtual reality technologies using a learning methodology based on the job market’s needs.“
Accredited by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, the program offers educational curricula with global professional certifications to equip trainees with crucial skills, including three-dimensional (3D) modeling, developing and programming virtual worlds, creating augmented reality and mixed reality applications, C# programming language, Unity engine, and Web 3 technologies, said the statement. 




The program aims to support the labor market with national talents possessing the best capabilities and skills to innovate in various technical fields. (SPA)

Participants in the program will learn how to build and develop application projects under the supervision of a specialized teaching staff within two semesters totaling over 800 training hours.
 
According to Tuwaiq Academy chief executive Abdulaziz Al-Hammadi, the technical diploma is part of the academy’s efforts to introduce diverse educational tracks and activate partnerships with major global entities. 

“The aim is to continue leading technical education in the Kingdom and support the labor market with national talents possessing the best capabilities and skills to innovate in various technical fields,” he said.
 
“The launch of the diploma in game development and virtual worlds in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy represents a significant achievement that drives efforts to adopt advanced education programs,” Meta’s head of policy programs for MENA region and Türkiye Joelle Awwad was quoted by SPA as saying. 

”This includes augmented reality, which the academy offers in partnership with Meta, ensuring the readiness of Saudi talent for the requirements of the future labor market and establishing the Kingdom’s position as a leading global center in the fields of programming, augmented reality, and 3D design,“ he further said.

Tuwaiq Academy is the first of its kind to provide specialized technical camps and educational programs in partnership with global entities such as Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, Alibaba, and other advanced entities. These programs are designed to develop national talents and enhance their ability to innovate and create in the fields of modern technologies.
 


Saudi minister Al-Jubeir receives Tajik official in Riyadh

Saudi minister Al-Jubeir receives Tajik official in Riyadh
Updated 10 sec ago
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Saudi minister Al-Jubeir receives Tajik official in Riyadh

Saudi minister Al-Jubeir receives Tajik official in Riyadh

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir met Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sharifzoda Farrukh Homiddin in Riyadh on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting, they reviewed ways to enhance bilateral relations in various fields, as well as the most prominent international topics and developments of common interest.

Saudi Ambassador to Tajikistan Walid bin Abdulrahman Al-Rashidan and Ambassador of Tajikistan to the Kingdom Akram Karimi attended the meeting.


Umrah pilgrims hosted by King Salman arrive in Madinah

A group of pilgrims being hosted by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to perform Umrah arrive in Madinah on Wednesday. (SPA)
A group of pilgrims being hosted by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to perform Umrah arrive in Madinah on Wednesday. (SPA)
Updated 13 min 19 sec ago
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Umrah pilgrims hosted by King Salman arrive in Madinah

A group of pilgrims being hosted by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to perform Umrah arrive in Madinah on Wednesday. (SPA)
  • Worshippers say program is ‘a precious gift from the Kingdom that serves Islam and Muslims’
  • Program will host 1,000 pilgrims from 66 countries to perform Umrah

RIYADH: A group of pilgrims being hosted by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to perform Umrah arrived in the holy city of Madinah on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

On Sunday, King Salman approved the hosting of 1,000 pilgrims from 66 countries to perform Umrah as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and to visit Islamic holy sites in the Kingdom, including the Prophet’s Mosque.

The pilgrims will be hosted in four groups during the current Islamic year, which ends in the final week of June 2025.

On Wednesday, a group made up of 25 Malaysians arrived, part of a wider contingent of 250 Islamic figures from 12 countries around the world. Three other groups of 250 pilgrims are expected to be hosted during the current Islamic year.

SPA reported that the pilgrims expressed their appreciation to King Salman and the Saudi authorities for their “generous hospitality,” saying that the Umrah Program is “a precious gift from the Kingdom that serves Islam and Muslims.”

On Sunday, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, thanked the Saudi leadership for enabling Muslims from different countries to perform the minor pilgrimage with ease and peace of mind.

Al-Sheikh said the hosting of the pilgrims is an extension of the great care that the Saudi leadership takes to serve Islam and Muslims.

He added it will strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among Muslims in various parts of the world, and develop fruitful communication between scholars and influential figures who are hosted by the program.

The program has benefitted people from more than 140 countries since it was launched, the minister said.


Diriyah Company announces multibillion-dollar Qurain Cultural District and Northern District

Diriyah Company announces multibillion-dollar Qurain Cultural District and Northern District
Updated 51 min 49 sec ago
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Diriyah Company announces multibillion-dollar Qurain Cultural District and Northern District

Diriyah Company announces multibillion-dollar Qurain Cultural District and Northern District
  • Qurain Cultural District to feature several cultural assets
  • Northern District to house the King Salman Foundation, university, museum and cultural institutions
  • Projects announced at ‘Bashayer 2024 — Delivering Our Future’ event

RIYADH: Diriyah Company, responsible for developing the Diriyah project, the birthplace of the modern Saudi Arabia and its foremost historical, cultural and lifestyle destination, on Wednesday announced two high-profile, multibillion-dollar educational and arts districts to be developed in the $63.2 billion Diriyah project, on the outskirts of Riyadh.

The announcement was made at its annual international event, “Bashayer 2024 — Delivering our Future.”

These two high-profile districts demonstrate the accelerating growth and development of Diriyah, The City of Earth, one of the world’s biggest and most unique urban development projects spanning an area of 14 sq. km.

Diriyah Company is committed to establishing a vibrant global hub, the Qurain Cultural District, where culture meets modern urban living, offering a diverse range of arts, retail, office and residential spaces for people to live, work, shop local brands, and enjoy local dining experiences.

Its diverse range of multidisciplinary cultural offerings will include assets in a diverse range of areas including a cinema, museums, and several academies including writing, traditional Najdi architecture and mud building, Arab music, culinary, performing arts and theatre.

The Qurain Cultural District will additionally have two world-class hotels and branded residences, including the 195-room Ritz-Carlton Diriyah with 165 residences, and the Address Diriyah, which will have 204 rooms and 60 serviced apartments.

The district will include 19 mixed-use buildings, including office, retail and residences, 10 of which have various boutique office options, and a wide range of retail space and dining venues.

The development of the Qurain Cultural District includes a SR 5.8 billion ($1.55 billion) contract awarded to a joint venture between Nesma & Partners Contracting Co. and MAN Enterprise Al-Saudia.

The Northern District will make Diriyah a global center of learning for scholars, students and visionaries and will include the King Salman Foundation, museums, a university, a library, and a public square.

The new district will also be the site of the recently announced Capella Diriyah, a 100-room luxury hotel that announces Capella Hotels and Resorts’ groundbreaking entry into the Middle East.

Construction on elements of the Northern District is already underway following the announcement of a $2 billion joint venture contract with the China State Construction Engineering Corporation and El Seif Engineering Contracting Co.

Commenting on the new high-profile districts, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “Qurain Cultural District and Northern District are two of our most important and significant areas of the Diriyah masterplan and demonstrate the range and diversity of what our City of Earth has to offer.

“They will both become global centers of excellence, of knowledge, learning and creativity as Diriyah once more becomes a gathering place for the world. We are delighted to share details of these major developments at Bashayer and share once more the unique range of investment opportunities and partnerships the Diriyah Company has to offer the world.”

Speaking to Arab News, Inzerillo said: “Every year in November and early December, we do our good news event — Bashayer — we have promised every year we would open new assets, ground break on substantial assets, and announce new assets. We started this in 2021 with 2030 projects. We opened assets in 2021, in 2022, Bujairi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.

“Now we are putting many branded residences on sale, which are sold very quickly, like Ritz Carlton Reserves. We have parks, we have finished the golf course, and are building a new royal golf and polo and equestrian center, so many exciting developments.”

This milestone brings us closer to realizing Diriyah’s vision as a premier hospitality destination, with brands like Raffles, Armani, Orient Express, Baccarat, Corinthia, Fauchon L’Hotel, and Rosewood setting the standard for world-class luxury. Each of these properties will play a pivotal role in welcoming guests from around the world to the City of Earth, he added.

“The annual event Bashayer shows what we are building to complement His Royal Highness’s (Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman) master plan,” he said.  

The annual Bashayer event took place in the first of Diriyah’s planned 40-plus hotels — the 134-room Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel. The new property is designed to reflect the 300-year-old Najdi architectural features and will begin welcoming guests at the end of this year.

The event attracted interest from global investors, hospitality companies, construction firms, infrastructure experts and representatives from the sports, arts, culture, tourism and retail sectors.

In addition to the new districts, the audience was also updated on the rapid progress being made in construction and the status of key assets at Diriyah Square with a tour of the project site, unveiled for the first time.

The Diriyah project is one of Saudi Arabia’s five giga-projects backed by the Public Investment Fund and is building homes for 100,000 people, creating 178,000 jobs, will host 50 million visits a year in the future and contribute $18.6 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP.


Saudi, Eurojust officials discuss judicial reforms

Saudi, Eurojust officials discuss judicial reforms
Updated 20 November 2024
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Saudi, Eurojust officials discuss judicial reforms

Saudi, Eurojust officials discuss judicial reforms
  • Walid Al-Samaani highlighted significant developments in the Kingdom’s judicial sector
  • Al-Samaani said that the right to litigation is guaranteed to both citizens and residents of the Kingdom

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Justice Walid Al-Samaani visited the EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, Eurojust, in The Hague, Netherlands.

He was welcomed by Eurojust President Michael Schmid. They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the judicial and legal fields to promote justice and human rights, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Samaani highlighted significant developments in the Kingdom’s judicial sector, supported by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as part of Saudi Vision 2030.

He said that the right to litigation is guaranteed to both citizens and residents of the Kingdom, with all judicial guarantees provided to ensure equal treatment for all parties and fairness in resolving disputes based solely on facts.

Al-Samaani highlighted key judicial reforms that have enhanced transparency and public access, such as recording court sessions with audio and video, publishing judicial rulings, introducing electronic litigation services and implementing the preventive justice system.


COP29 leaders push for faster climate action in second week

COP29 leaders push for faster climate action in second week
Updated 20 November 2024
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COP29 leaders push for faster climate action in second week

COP29 leaders push for faster climate action in second week
  • Simon Stiell: Entering the second week of this COP, it is a mixed picture
  • Stiell: The bottom line is we are a long way from halving global emissions this decade

BAKU: The COP29 Presidency team gathered on Monday to discuss negotiations and some of the highlighted plans for the second week of the 29th session of the UN climate change conference.

Present at the discussions were Mukhtar Babayev, president of COP29; Yalchin Rafiyev, lead negotiator; Leyla Hasanovahe, youth climate champion for COP29; and Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Concerns were expressed regarding the state of negotiations and whether the participating parties were moving forward at the desired speed to deliver results efficiently.

“Politicians are the power to reach a fair and ambitious dream,” Babayev said. “They must deliver on responsibilities. They must engage immediately and constructively.”

Stiell also gave his thoughts on the progress thus far.

“Entering the second week of this COP, it is a mixed picture. It has been encouraging to see the significant strides forward notably on carbon markets, making progress that previous COPs could not achieve. There is more work to do, of course, and I am certainly not complacent. There are still challenges ahead there.

“The bottom line is we are a long way from halving global emissions this decade.”

While Babayev and Stiell agreed on the amount of work still needed in order for the world to reduce the impact of climate change, Stiell said he believes collaborative efforts are necessary so that all participating countries can deliver.

“We must help countries to pick up this pace over this high week,” he said.