RIYADH, 28 January 2007 — King Abdul Aziz & His Companions Foundation for the Gifted announced yesterday that the charity was implementing a series of administrative and financial changes as part of its strategy to improve the foundation’s overall performance.
Furthermore, the foundation seeks to implement an e-system where transactions would be electronically conducted. “This will increase speed, improve performance and facilitate smooth operations,” said Khaled Al-Sabti, secretary-general of the foundation. “We tend to minimize the use of paper transactions.”
He said the shift to an electronic system would cover both the human resources administration as well as the financial administration. “The initial stage of the project is expected to finish within three months after certain policies and procedures are approved,” he added.
The official mentioned that the foundation has authorized King Abdullah Research & Consulting Institute in King Saud University to supervise the implementation of the restructuring.
As part of the administration alterations, all matters related to employees will also be restructured. “This includes issues such as salaries, vacations, benefits and penalties,” said Salim Al-Khalifa, director general of finance and human resources.
Al-Khalifa said the development of the foundation’s financial structure would include drafting a list of financial jurisdiction, as well as drafting all policies and accounting information. “Preparing the annual budget of the foundation in addition to organizing its purchases will also be restructured,” he said.
The foundation announced last week that it had signed a contract with a foreign consulting firm to draft its strategies for the next 10 years. The new strategy will focus on factors related to the gifted in the backdrop of the current economic boom in the Kingdom.
According to Mohammed Al-Naqadi, adviser to the secretary-general, the foundation seeks to embrace the experience of other nations in promoting talented young students. He said it would conduct a number of workshops in the Kingdom and speak with concerned authorities to set short- and long-term goals.
As part of its programs to promote the gifted, over 400 Saudi students, both male and female, will attend a six-week scholarship program by the end of this year at two of the most prestigious US universities: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Johns Hopkins University.
