Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal University lands Gartner Eye on Innovation Award
Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal University lands Gartner Eye on Innovation Award/node/2574908/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal University lands Gartner Eye on Innovation Award
King Faisal University has been awarded the prestigious Gartner Eye on Innovation Award for Education 2024 in the category of “Innovation in Teaching and Learning.” (Supplied)
Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal University lands Gartner Eye on Innovation Award
Gartner Award, a major accolade in technical research and consulting, is headquartered in Stamford, US
Updated 11 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: King Faisal University has been awarded the prestigious Gartner Eye on Innovation Award for Education 2024 in the category of “Innovation in Teaching and Learning,” Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The award recognizes the university’s groundbreaking efforts in developing an augmented reality (AR) application that transforms traditional teaching methods.
The AR application introduces interactive 3D scientific content, enhancing students’ ability to grasp complex concepts and enriching their overall educational experience, SPA added.
This tool marks a significant leap forward in the university’s approach to teaching and learning.
Dr. Fawaz bin Wasl Allah Al-Saedi, Dean of E-Learning and Information Technology, emphasized the university’s leadership in integrating cutting-edge technology into education.
He noted that King Faisal University’s project was chosen from a wide range of submissions by top international educational institutions, highlighting its global standing in advancing educational technology.
The Gartner Award, a major accolade in technical research and consulting, is headquartered in Stamford, US, and celebrates institutions that leverage technology to improve education in innovative ways.
Empowering communication: App bridges gaps for Arabic-speaking deaf community
Reem Turky’s Tawaasuly aims to elevate the disabled customer experience to a new era
Updated 1 min 27 sec ago
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: The creator of an Arabic sign language translation app has spoken about how she aims to improve accessibility for deaf people, helping them integrate into society.
Reem Turky, the founder of Tawaasuly, has created a significant tool for the deaf community in the Arabic-speaking world. The app serves as a bridge between deaf and hearing people, offering dual communication channels.
Tawaasuly translates Arabic speech and text into Arabic sign language using 3D animation and converts sign language gestures back into spoken or written Arabic.
By collaborating with experts in the field, the app adapts to the nuances and variations of Arabic sign language, ensuring contextually appropriate translations. (Supplied)
“We aim to realize service providers’ visions by elevating the disabled customer experience to a new era,” Turky told Arab News.
Tawaasuly facilitates communication, engages the Arabic deaf community in society and enables users to live independently from their families and translators. It also helps service-driven enterprises gain recognition as innovators in customer experience while addressing environmental, social and governance issues.
Turky’s journey to create Tawaasuly was deeply personal. “I witnessed the challenges faced by my colleague, who struggled to communicate in social and professional settings,” she said.
We utilize a combination of machine learning and voice-to-text recognition technologies to translate between Arabic language and Arabic sign language.
Reem Turky, Founder of Tawaasuly
“This experience ignited my passion to create a solution that bridges communication gaps.”
Recognizing that existing tools for the Arabic-speaking deaf community were inadequate and culturally misaligned, she was motivated to develop Tawaasuly.
“Our mission is to empower the deaf community by providing accessible communication that promotes inclusion and understanding,” Turky said.
“We utilize a combination of machine learning and voice-to-text recognition technologies to translate between Arabic language and Arabic sign language.”
By collaborating with experts in the field, the app adapts to the nuances and variations of Arabic sign language, ensuring contextually appropriate translations.
Feedback from users has been positive. Many have expressed gratitude for the app’s user-friendly interface and accurate translations.
“It significantly enhances their ability to communicate in various settings, from education to social interactions,” Turky said.
But she said she had faced challenges in trying to raise awareness of the app.
“The prevailing stigma around deafness and limited awareness of available technologies has been our main challenge,” she said.
The team is dedicated to educating both the deaf community and companies about the app’s benefits. Its impact is measured through user feedback, social engagement and usage statistics.
Turky said: “One user shared that Tawaasuly helped her engage frequently with hearing communities after years of isolation.”
She hopes that in five years Tawaasuly, with increased functionality, including more languages and dialects, will be the go-to communication tool for deaf people across the Arabic-speaking world. She said she also planned to launch an enterprise version of the app to help companies serve deaf customers better.
The company is currently pursuing partnerships with startups focusing on AI and text-to-speech technologies, as well as collaborations with educational institutions and nongovernmental organizations that advocate for disability rights.
“We prioritize sustainable practices in our operations, such as green IT and community outreach programs,” Turky said.
She believes that technology plays a crucial role in improving accessibility for disabled communities.
“It can enhance communication, provide access to information and create inclusive environments for disabled individuals,” she said.
Witnessing the positive impact of Tawaasuly on users’ lives has been rewarding for Turky.
“Knowing that Tawaasuly helps bridge communication gaps is my motivation,” she said.
Craftsmanship of decorated wooden doors reflects Aseer’s artistic heritage
Skills have been passed down through the generations
Updated 7 min 36 sec ago
SPA
ASEER: Intricately designed wooden doors in the Aseer region are more than a mere means of entry for they provide a reflection of the area’s rich artistic heritage.
The doors display exceptional craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations, showcasing the unique skills and creativity of local artisans.
Researchers in architecture highlight these intricately decorated doors as essential components of the area’s architectural heritage.
The Aseer region boasts a vibrant tradition of skilled carpenters who have mastered the craft of creating traditional architectural doors and windows. (SPA)
In an interview with the Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Ali Marzouq, a professor of archaeology and Islamic arts at King Khalid University, spoke of the cultural significance of this art form.
He said: “People find psychological comfort in beautifying their possessions. The decorative motifs typical of Islamic architecture, including engravings and inscriptions, have become integral to building design, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.”
The artistry involved in carving and engraving wooden doors has elevated them to symbols of social status.
HIGHLIGHTS
• This tradition continues today, with many people updating their door decorations for holidays and special events.
• In the coastal Tihama region, some residents enhance their main entrances by planting aromatic plants, adding a delightful fragrance.
Marzouq said that the main door holds significant importance, serving as a reflection of the owner’s wealth and prestige. Elaborately adorned doors made from high-quality woods are typically found in the homes of the affluent, while simpler designs are more prevalent among average households.
The Aseer region boasts a vibrant tradition of skilled carpenters who have mastered the craft of creating traditional architectural doors and windows. (SPA)
This tradition continues today, with many people updating their door decorations for holidays and special events. In the coastal Tihama region, some residents enhance their main entrances by planting aromatic plants, adding a delightful fragrance.
Decorative elements on wooden doors and windows have been central to the architectural identity of the Arabian Peninsula since ancient times. These embellishments not only highlight the skill of the artisans but also serve as effective marketing for their craftsmanship.
Dr. Saleh Abu Arad, a researcher in the field, echoed Marzouq’s sentiments, emphasizing the significance of the “door and window industry” as a skilled trade that utilized local wood and various techniques to create doors and windows of diverse sizes. These architectural elements are often enriched with exquisite engravings and metal accents, such as handles and rings.
The Aseer region boasts a vibrant tradition of skilled carpenters who have mastered the craft of creating traditional architectural doors and windows. (SPA)
The choice of wood plays a crucial role in the final product’s quality. The talh tree, also known as the red acacia, which is renowned for its dense and cohesive fibers, is favored for crafting high-quality doors and intricate designs.
Carpenters have excelled in engraving beautiful decorations on both exterior and interior doors, utilizing the unique properties of the wood.
Traditionally, the decoration of internal wooden doors and windows is a task undertaken by the housewife, with assistance from female relatives and neighbors. These decorations feature a range of geometric, botanical, and symbolic motifs, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere for guests and visitors.
The Aseer region boasts a vibrant tradition of skilled carpenters who have mastered the craft of creating traditional architectural doors and windows. Inspired by their natural environment, these artisans incorporate a diverse array of detailed patterns and botanical designs into their work, intentionally avoiding human or animal imagery.
Researcher Maryam Al-Omari says popular designs often feature geometric shapes such as triangles and diamonds, which are intricately combined to enhance the overall aesthetic.
Acknowledging the significance of safeguarding this area of cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture republished the works of the French professor Thierry Mouget in 2021. His comprehensive photographic records of southern Saudi Arabia from the 1980s showcase the region’s architectural styles, historical legacies, social dynamics, and customs, shedding light on the rich cultural fabric of the Aseer region.
The Saudi Falcons Club and the Saudi Camel Federation aim to preserve the Kingdom’s cultural legacy and heritage, especially in aspects relating to falcons and camels, as well as attracting investors interested in these fields
Updated 8 min 9 sec ago
SPA
RIYADH: Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, vice president of the Olympic and Paralympic Committee and president of the Saudi Camel Federation, visited the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2024.
More than 400 exhibitors from 45 countries are taking part in the 10-day event, which is being staged by the Saudi Falcons Club at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, under the theme “A World That Resembles You.”
Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed attended the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2024. (SPA)
The prince toured exhibition pavilions, which include nature reserves and the environment, road trip supplies and vehicles, hunting supplies, and falcons, as well as hunting rifles and individual firearms.
The Saudi Falcons Club and the Saudi Camel Federation aim to preserve the Kingdom’s cultural legacy and heritage, especially in aspects relating to falcons and camels, as well as attracting investors interested in these fields.
Both organizations will contribute to enhancing the Kingdom’s position in falconry and camel heritage at the local, regional and global levels, thus achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
World Arthritis Day: Launch of campaigns in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Society of Rheumatology is engaged in minimizing the risks of the disease while avoiding the occurrence of complications that may lead to permanent disability, deformities and failure of some body organs
Updated 8 min 19 sec ago
SPA
JEDDAH: On Oct. 12 each year, the Kingdom, along with the rest of the globe, marks World Arthritis Day.
An integrated system of awareness campaigns is staged and educational programs on rheumatic diseases designated to patients to help them cope with their illness.
The aim is to highlight the importance of early recognition of arthritis and how it can improve the patient’s life.
The Saudi Society of Rheumatology is engaged in minimizing the risks of the disease while avoiding the occurrence of complications that may lead to permanent disability, deformities and failure of some body organs. These complications may occur in the event of delayed diagnosis. Proper measures should be taken for early detection of rheumatoid arthritis and raising awareness about the importance of having a healthy lifestyle.
Rheumatology consultant Dr. Hanan Alrayes explained how to cope with the disease, from which many elderly suffer, and the importance of early treatment. She discussed the importance of taking into account the psychological state of chronic arthritis patients and introducing them to the impact of the disease on the psychological aspect and associated skin conditions.
Dr. Alrayes also said that this introduction must be held in an interactive medical and cultural environment in the presence of a group of rheumatology, dermatology and psychology consultants.
Diriyah Biennale announces winner of the 2024 AlMusalla Prize
The winning team includes Lebanon and UAE-based East Architecture Studio, British engineering firm AKT II, and Lebanese artist Rayyane Tabet
Design combines Islamic architecture and heritage with modern sustainable practices and is inspired by palm tree farms in the Kingdom
Updated 11 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Diriyah Biennale Foundation announced the winner of the 2024 AlMusalla Prize, an architectural competition to create an innovative prayer space at King Abdulaziz International Airport’s Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The successful design team includes East Architecture Studio, which has offices in Lebanon and the UAE; British engineering firm AKT II; and Lebanese artist Rayyane Tabet, who splits his time between Beirut and San Francisco.
The team said they set out to design a communal prayer area that combines traditional Islamic architecture with modern sustainable practices, with the aim of creating a serene, inclusive space in which people can reflect on and engage with the rich artistic and spiritual traditions of Islam.
The design of the 6x6-meter space, inspired by palm tree farms in the Kingdom, will be constructed using materials derived from the trees, an abundant natural resource in Saudi Arabia, including wood and fronds. This choice reflects a revival in local crafts and architecture inspired by Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad neighborhood.
According to SPA, the space is designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with an open courtyard in addition to designated areas for prayers. The interior of the musalla, or prayer space, will be adorned with layers of textiles colored with dyes that use natural pigments, with the aim of creating a connection between worshippers and their environment.
Prince Nawaf bin Nayef, who chaired the prize jury, said the winning project balances traditional Islamic architectural principles with an innovative, modern, eco-friendly design. The use of palm trees symbolizes the region’s cultural and environmental connections, he added, while the simplicity and versatility of the design means it can be easily assembled and disassembled, making it a model for sustainable architecture.
Aya Al-Bakri, the CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, praised the successful team for creating a prayer space that embodies the values of openness and community and reflects the broader mission of the Islamic Arts Biennale to promote cultural exchanges.
The musalla will be installed as a central feature of the Islamic Arts Biennale, which begins on Jan. 25, 2025, and will remain there for four months before being moved to the airport.
