Queen Rania Teacher Academy wins accreditation from UK-based CPD Standards Office

Queen Rania Teacher Academy wins accreditation from UK-based CPD Standards Office
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Updated 28 January 2025
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Queen Rania Teacher Academy wins accreditation from UK-based CPD Standards Office

Queen Rania Teacher Academy wins accreditation from UK-based CPD Standards Office

The Queen Rania Teacher Academy has received official accreditation from the CPD Standards Office, an independent, international accreditation organization, marking a significant milestone in its pursuit of excellence in education. In addition to providing accreditation for three of QRTA’s flagship professional development programs, the CPD Standards Office also recognized the academy as a service provider, making it the first educational training center in the region to receive this world-recognized accreditation.

The CPD Standards Office, based in the UK, is one of the most respected accreditation bodies globally for continuing professional development. Known for its rigorous evaluation process, it ensures that training providers and their programs meet the highest standards of quality and impact.

Among the accredited programs is the Advanced Instructional Leadership Professional Diploma, which is designed to equip school leaders with advanced leadership skills and strategies to foster innovation, improve instructional quality, and create a culture of excellence within their schools. Additionally, the Professional Development for Kindergarten Teachers (Ta’seeso) program focuses on early childhood education, empowering kindergarten teachers with the knowledge and tools to create engaging and effective learning environments that support young learners’ holistic development. The third accredited program, Teacher Education Induction, prepares educators to transition into the role of teacher-educators, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and practices required to effectively empower teachers to grow into skilled, confident, and resilient educators. 

Dr. Osama Obeidat, CEO of QRTA, said: “Receiving CPD accreditation is not just a recognition of the quality of our programs — it’s a validation of their impact on educators and the educational ecosystem as a whole. It signifies that participants in these programs are engaging with content that is globally recognized and aligned with best practices. We take pride in being able to support educators in their professional growth, empowering them to inspire meaningful change in their schools and communities.”

This accreditation underscores QRTA’s commitment to delivering internationally recognized, high-quality professional development opportunities that empower educators to lead transformative change in education. It also further establishes QRTA as a leading force in teacher training and professional development in the Arab world.

By securing this accreditation, QRTA strengthens its position as a trusted partner for educators and institutions seeking professional development that meets the most rigorous international benchmarks. It also signals the academy’s continued dedication to advancing the teaching profession with innovative programs that inspire, empower, and elevate educators to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving educational landscape.


Saudi fintech lite secures $3.2m in pre-seed funding

Saudi fintech lite secures $3.2m in pre-seed funding
Updated 17 February 2025
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Saudi fintech lite secures $3.2m in pre-seed funding

Saudi fintech lite secures $3.2m in pre-seed funding

Saudi-based fintech startup lite has announced the successful closure of its pre-seed funding round, raising a total of $3.2 million. The round was led by Scene Holding, with participation from prominent angel investors, marking a significant milestone in lite’s journey to redefine the payments ecosystem for businesses in Saudi Arabia.

Established by three seasoned co-founders with vast experience in payments — Fahad Anteet, Mohamed Faheem, and Soliman Aldukhil — lite is on a mission to become the leading payment solutions provider in the Saudi market, offering businesses a full-fledged suite of financial services to meet all their payment needs. With a strong focus on innovation, scalability, and localization, lite is committed to driving financial inclusion and enhancing the efficiency of payment ecosystems in the Kingdom. This is in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of accelerating digital transformation and promoting a less-cash society.

Currently, lite is in the process of obtaining an electronic money institution license from the Saudi Central Bank, which will enable the company to fully operate and deliver its comprehensive suite of payment solutions to businesses across the Kingdom.

“We are deeply grateful to our investors for their trust in our vision and to the Saudi Central Bank, Fintech Saudi, and key ecosystem enablers for their support in fostering fintech innovation. This funding marks a major step forward in our mission to provide businesses with seamless, secure, and scalable payment solutions tailored to the Saudi market,” said Anteet, CEO of lite. “As we work toward obtaining our EMI license, we remain committed to innovation, compliance, and localization — empowering businesses and accelerating the shift toward a digital, less-cash economy in alignment with Vision 2030.”

“We are thrilled to support lite on its journey to reshape the payments ecosystem in Saudi Arabia,” said Sultan Ghaznawi, chairman and managing director, Scene Holding “The founding team’s expertise, vision, and commitment to innovation align perfectly with our investment philosophy at Scene Holding. We believe lite has the potential to drive meaningful impact in the fintech sector, empowering businesses and contributing to the Kingdom’s digital transformation goals.”


Yanmar opens office in Riyadh, solidifying commitment to KSA

Yanmar opens office in Riyadh, solidifying commitment to KSA
Updated 16 February 2025
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Yanmar opens office in Riyadh, solidifying commitment to KSA

Yanmar opens office in Riyadh, solidifying commitment to KSA
  • Underlining its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s industrial growth, Yanmar Arabia has already made significant strides

Yanmar, a global leader in innovative power solutions, has announced the establishment of Yanmar Arabia, further solidifying its long-standing presence in the Kingdom. With more than 55 years of collaboration through its distributor Abdullah Hashim Co. Ltd., Yanmar has been a trusted name in delivering high-performance engines and powertrain solutions to various industries.
Yanmar Arabia officially opened its doors on Feb. 10 in Riyadh, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to supporting the region’s industrial and power needs with cutting-edge technology.
Yanmar Arabia marks a strategic shift, emphasizing its expertise in TNV engines and tailored powertrain solutions for original equipment manufacturers. Unlike finished products, Yanmar Arabia focuses on providing cutting-edge engineering support, application development, and customized solutions that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 industrialization goals.
Underlining its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s industrial growth, Yanmar Arabia has already made significant strides. A key milestone includes a partnership with ASAD Industries, a local OEM based in Jeddah, which now produces truck refrigeration units powered by Yanmar engines. This collaboration is a testament to Yanmar’s dedication to fostering local manufacturing and enhancing technological capabilities in the region.
“We are not just here for commercial purposes. Our mission is to provide world-class powertrain solutions that drive local innovation. By working closely with Saudi OEMs, we aim to contribute to the ‘Made in Saudi’ initiative, empowering manufacturers with reliable and sustainable engine solutions,” said Samir Laoukili, CEO of Yanmar Arabia.
General Manager Raheel Aziz added: “Our focus is on delivering application engineering expertise and strengthening our partnerships with local manufacturers. Through Yanmar Arabia, we will continue to support the Kingdom’s industrial evolution with robust, high-efficiency engine solutions.”
With a rich history spanning seven main business domains, Yanmar is globally recognized for its relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainability. The company actively contributes to environmental responsibility through the Yanmar Green Challenge, an initiative that seeks to achieve a sustainable future by reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency across its product lines.
Additionally, Yanmar’s Hanasaka program is dedicated to youth development, fostering the next generation of engineers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders through education and skill-building initiatives.
By integrating these global sustainability and development initiatives with its presence in Saudi Arabia, Yanmar Arabia is set to play a vital role in shaping the future of power solutions within the Kingdom.

 


stc advances gen AI innovation in region with Cohere

stc advances gen AI innovation in region with Cohere
Updated 16 February 2025
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stc advances gen AI innovation in region with Cohere

stc advances gen AI innovation in region with Cohere
  • The joint effort will focus on key AI-powered innovations, including stc’s AI-powered language model and the Digital Co-Workers Foundry, designed to optimize business efficiency and deliver a superior digital experience for customers

stc Group, the region’s leading digital enabler, has announced a strategic collaboration with Cohere, a secure enterprise AI company, to transform the AI landscape in the Middle East and beyond. This collaboration is set to redefine stc’s AI-driven operations, enhance customer engagement, and unlock new digital growth opportunities through state-of-the-art AI solutions.
Under the collaboration, stc will leverage Cohere’s cutting-edge AI capabilities to develop transformative products as part of its internal gen AI initiative. The joint effort will focus on key AI-powered innovations, including stc’s AI-powered language model and the Digital Co-Workers Foundry, designed to optimize business efficiency and deliver a superior digital experience for customers.

HIGHLIGHT

The joint effort will focus on key AI-powered innovations, including stc’s AI-powered language model and the Digital Co-Workers Foundry, designed to optimize business efficiency and deliver a superior digital experience for customers.

As part of the efforts, stc will work with Cohere to develop North for Telecom, a customized version of Cohere’s North, a secure AI workspace platform announced earlier this year. North for Telecom will be tailored to address the unique needs of the sector, providing intelligent automation, enhanced conversational experiences, and real-time data insights. Meanwhile, the Digital Co-Workers Foundry will introduce AI-driven virtual assistants designed to streamline workflows, boost productivity, and support stc’s workforce with intelligent automation solutions.

It’s been great working closely with stc’s team, says Aidan Gomez, Cohere’s Co-founder and CEO

“As a leader in digital transformation, stc continues to invest in advanced AI technologies that will shape the future of our industry. Our collaboration with Cohere represents a significant milestone in our AI journey, reinforcing our vision to harness AI-driven intelligence, enhance operational capabilities, and introduce innovative AI solutions that create tangible value,” said Haithem Mohammed Alfaraj, group chief technology officer at stc Group.
Motaz Alangari, group chief investment officer at stc Group, added: “stc Group strategically invests in pioneering companies that unlock access to transformative technologies, new business models, and enhanced revenue streams. This collaboration aligns with tali ventures, stc’s corporate venture capital arm, which plays a key role in fostering technological advancement and investing in next-generation innovations that complement stc’s digital ecosystem.”
“Cohere is a global leader in secure enterprise AI, and our investment in this collaboration facilitates access to enterprise-grade AI solutions, positioning stc to maximize AI’s potential across its product and service offerings.”
Cohere will bring its expertise in enterprise AI models and applications to stc’s ecosystem, ensuring faster adoption and optimization of AI capabilities across stc’s digital infrastructure.
“It’s been great working closely with stc’s team,” said Aidan Gomez, Cohere’s co-founder and CEO. “I’m really excited to bring our secure AI technology to enhance its role as a digital enabler. We look forward to collaborating with stc and integrating Cohere’s enterprise AI solutions to lift grunt work off the backs of their employees so they can focus more on the areas of their jobs where they can add real value.”
This collaboration underscores stc’s commitment to being at the forefront of AI-driven innovation, fostering a digital-first economy, and shaping the future of intelligent technology in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

 


KSA’s dynamic construction sector under spotlight at show

Photo: (X @thebig5saudi)
Photo: (X @thebig5saudi)
Updated 16 February 2025
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KSA’s dynamic construction sector under spotlight at show

Photo: (X @thebig5saudi)
  • Held at the ICC Theatre, Hall 6, Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center, the event spotlighted transformative developments and opportunities, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals

Saudi Arabia’s construction industry is rapidly evolving, fueled by technological advancements, strategies in large-scale projects, policy reforms and sustainability. Returning once again to Big 5 Construct Saudi, the International Contracting Conference, organized by the Saudi Contractors Authority and dmg events and taking place on Feb. 15-16, hosted government officials, industry leaders and policymakers to share insights into navigating the Kingdom’s construction landscape and exploring new opportunities.
ICC 2025 united top contractors and international contracting experts in the Kingdom for two days of insightful dialogues and discussions focusing on topics such as the impact of Vision 2030, innovative construction methods, digital tools for project management and government-private sector collaboration. Held at the ICC Theatre, Hall 6, Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center, the event spotlighted transformative developments and opportunities, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
Prominent industry leaders who headlined the conference this year included: Khalid Al-Othman, president of the National Committee for Sustainability and Green Economy, Federation of Saudi Chambers; Dr. Anas Bataw, strategy and innovation director, KEO International Consultants; Prakash Senghani, CEO and co-founder, Navatech; James Irvine, managing director, Alvarez and Marshal; Alaa Arabi, principal, TBH; Alexander Sarac, partner at Addleshaw Goddard; Ayman Alwaleedi, executive director — project management at Rua Al-Madinah; Mark Sperring, regional PMC director; and Wael Allan, chief executive at Ayar International Contracting Company.

Complementing ICC, Big 5 Construct Saudi is also hosting Big 5 Talks, featuring more than 75 expert-led sessions designed to empower professionals with actionable strategies and progressive insights over two weeks. Featuring over 150 speakers, subject-matter experts and leaders, these sessions cover various topics impacting the Kingdom’s built environment, enabling attendees to have fresh ideas, practical solutions and professional growth.
The first week (Feb. 15-18) will lay strong foundations for the construction industry, covering key topics from design to execution. Discussions will explore advancements in HVAC R, modular construction, project management, health and safety and regulatory compliance.
In the second week (Feb. 24–27), the focus will shift to transforming projects from fit-out to services, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions and operational excellence. The Architect Leaders Forum will bring together industry visionaries to discuss trends shaping architectural design, while sessions on facilities management and green buildings will highlight the best practices for maintaining sustainable structures.
With more than 5,200 construction projects currently underway, including NEOM, The Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, Diriyah and others, valued at an estimated $819 billion, the Kingdom’s development initiatives showcase the immense scale and ambition of its transformation.
“As Saudi Arabia sprints toward Vision 2030, organizations and individuals must evolve to help facilitate these ambitions,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president of construction at dmg events. “The panel discussions and sessions at Big 5 Construct Saudi are therefore strategically curated to address the industry challenges and provide innovative ideas and solutions to meet the Kingdom’s goals for its dynamic contracting sector.”

 


Intertek strengthens Middle East commitment with new regional HQ in Riyadh

Intertek strengthens Middle East commitment with new regional HQ in Riyadh
Updated 16 February 2025
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Intertek strengthens Middle East commitment with new regional HQ in Riyadh

Intertek strengthens Middle East commitment with new regional HQ in Riyadh

Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, has opened its regional headquarters in Riyadh. This new hub will play a key role in supporting Intertek’s expanding portfolio of services and solidifying its commitment to customers in the region, as well as highlighting Intertek’s role in achieving the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. 

Intertek’s own vision focuses on innovation, sustainability, and industry diversification. With the Kingdom reducing its reliance on oil by fostering growth in key sectors such as manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism, and technology, Intertek aims to stand as a trusted partner in this transformation. With a strong legacy in the oil and gas sector, Intertek continues to support the industry’s evolution while leveraging its expertise to help businesses across all sectors meet the highest quality and safety standards. Through its comprehensive assurance, testing, inspection, and certification solutions, Intertek enables organizations to innovate, expand, and contribute to the Kingdom’s diversified economy. Intertek’s sustainability solutions, including environmental audits and renewable energy certifications, also align with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a greener future, driving economic growth and environmental responsibility. 

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is focused on building state-of-the-art infrastructure, and Intertek’s services in construction material testing, inspection, and certification help ensure that these projects meet global safety and quality standards. Intertek also empowers local talent by investing in capacity-building and professional development programs, fostering the growth of Saudi talent in the quality and assurance fields. Through these efforts, the company is helping Saudi businesses thrive in the global marketplace, furthering the Kingdom’s ambition to become a leading global economic hub, while upholding excellence in the oil and gas industry. 

Hanna Jabbour, Intertek vice president, industry services, MENAWA, SSA, and South-East Asia, said: “Intertek has been operating in Saudi Arabia for more than 30 years, and we are proud to play a vital role in supporting the country’s infrastructure development and global competitiveness. The opening of our regional headquarters marks a significant long-term investment and commitment to the Saudi market, reflecting the Kingdom’s ambition to create a sustainable and thriving economy by 2030 and beyond.”

Steven Owens, Intertek managing director, MENAP, said: “Our portfolio of complementary services and expertise has always been closely connected to the evolving needs of our customers. The new headquarters location will enable our teams to collaborate more efficiently and effectively while providing a local foundation on which to support the broader region.” 

Present at the regional headquarters opening ceremony in Riyadh were Jabbour; Owens; Ross McCluskey, Intertek executive vice president Europe, Middle East and Africa and government and trade services; Bertrand Mallet, EVP, Intertek industry services; a senior adviser from the Ministry of Investment; UK embassy representatives; and several government officials.