The forum is being organized by Riyadh Schools at its headquarters here and attended by elite young leaders from across GCC member states.

Reading out the speech of Prince Salman, Al-Sheikh said that it is possible to apply the idea of this event to all schools in Saudi Arabia. He stressed the importance of evolving the role of educational institutions in future and unify efforts to keep up with the trend.

"The world today relies on knowledge-based economy and society, which urges us to double our educational institutions’ efforts and in building young leaders. This event would enable our children to gain technical, social and leadership skills that are essential to compete in this world," he said. He added, such forums are the vision of the Ministry of Education.

In the morning session, Hayat Sindi, the first Arab woman to obtain a Ph.D. in biotechnology, told the Gulf young leaders that her strong faith in God and determination helped her obtain her degree abroad despite a language barrier and other challenges.

She said: “Intelligence and the availability of resources are not enough to gain such a degree. A student must look at science as a key objective and that is not be possible without strong willpower and determination.”

Speaking about her experience as a student in the UK and her sufferings, Sindi said her family was opposed to her studying abroad. However, her family relented when she convinced them that such a specialized field of study was not available in the Kingdom.

She said the major obstacles that she faced, among others, was the language barrier, social and cultural differences, “and the apprehensive look on the faces of the Europeans because of the Islamic dress I wear,” as well as nonacceptance of the secondary diploma she obtained from Saudi schools that impelled her to study a two-year course before joining the university.

She added that after obtaining the first prize in the competition of the action plans for social projects set up by the Harvard Business School, she got a strong boost from the result. However, Sindi said she still considers herself to be at the beginning of the road and that there are lots of scientific projects to be accomplished in the future.

She explained, through an interactive device, her scientific discovery that helps in the diagnosis of chronic diseases, noting that intelligence and the availability of resources are not enough.

She said in order to achieve something a student must look at science as a key objective, urging students to have a goal at the beginning of their lives. She added, "I see that there are students who are very smart and talented and they should not allow others to scale down their abilities as we need leaders.”

She commended the schools’ initiative in organizing the forum, noting that it is one of the most prestigious schools.

Regarding the area of work after graduation, Sindi explained it has established an Institute for Scientific Studies which she called the "Institute of imagination and innocence," a nonprofit institute that aims to serve the community and science, which is still in the process of improvement. It is also designed to help leaders and youth of both sexes to hone their talents and experiences.

She criticized the failure of the investors and entrepreneurs to support scientific research, pointing to the need of the private sector to support scientific research in order to serve the community.

Riyadh Schools, at the end of the lecture, presented a plaque of appreciation to Hayat Sindi. Muna Al Eidan, on behalf of the schools general manager, Abdurrahman Al-Gofaili, presented the plaque.

Mohammed bin Fahd Thuwaini, presented a training course under the theme "Give us the key." He dwelt on the qualities of a leader and self-management of young leaders.

He stressed that the fact that the most important attributes of a successful leader are discipline, organization and the ability to form relationships horizontal and vertical in all areas. This is in addition to the need for the leader's ability to lead and control himself. He added that if a leader cannot lead himself, he will not be able to lead others, pointing out that a leader’s freedom to act must be according to law, customs, and things that are lawful.

Thuwaini urged students to invest their free time in useful things, beneficial for them and for society.

He organized competitions among the students in order to boost skills and capacity development. A Riyadh Schools official honored the lecturer at the end of his presentation.