Mawhiba, Jeddah university to train gifted students

The MoU signed by the university’s vice president, Hana Abdullah Ali Al-Nuaim, and Mawhiba’s secretary-general, Amal Al-Hazzaa in Jeddah. (SPA)
The MoU signed by the university’s vice president, Hana Abdullah Ali Al-Nuaim, and Mawhiba’s secretary-general, Amal Al-Hazzaa in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Updated 17 January 2023

Mawhiba, Jeddah university to train gifted students

Mawhiba, Jeddah university to train gifted students
  • The two parties will be involved in several other programs for students, targeting research development skills, leadership skills, and specialized programs for the candidates of the olympiad’s advanced stages

JEDDAH: The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) recently signed a memorandum of cooperation with King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.

The deal is aimed at offering joint quality programs for gifted students, disseminating talent and innovation in society, and raising the level of gifted students’ discovery and sponsorship.

Inked by the university’s vice president, Hana Abdullah Ali Al-Nuaim, and Mawhiba’s secretary-general, Amal Al-Hazzaa, the accord included areas of cooperation and exchange of experiences.

It stipulated Mawhiba’s identification of students who meet the standards and conditions for admission to the university’s dual-study program.

And it also stated that the university would host Mawhiba’s enrichment, academic, and research programs, organized by the foundation in accordance with best international practices. Mawhiba will provide training sessions on how to design, manage, and assess these enrichment programs.

In addition, the memorandum required the university’s support in the development of the partnership program with schools. The program, implemented by Mawhiba, offers training sessions for teachers and supervisors in several fields, including the use of technology, discussion methods, evaluation skills and techniques, technical counselling, management development, and leadership skills.

The two parties will be involved in several other programs for students, targeting research development skills, leadership skills, and specialized programs for the candidates of the olympiad’s advanced stages.

The partnership is designed to help them undertake leading and influential social roles, and cooperate in competitions, exhibitions, and events that Mawhiba organizes or participates in.

The cooperation agreement will also include the exchange of expertise and knowledge between Mawhiba and King Abdulaziz University’s members in the academic, research, and professional fields, with the objective of having a generation of youth creative in the areas of science and technology.


Violations by Sudanese parties greatly impeding delivery of aid: Saudi-US statement

Smoke billows behind buildings in southern Khartoum, on May 27, 2023, amid= fighting between the forces of two rival generals.
Smoke billows behind buildings in southern Khartoum, on May 27, 2023, amid= fighting between the forces of two rival generals.
Updated 20 min 16 sec ago

Violations by Sudanese parties greatly impeding delivery of aid: Saudi-US statement

Smoke billows behind buildings in southern Khartoum, on May 27, 2023, amid= fighting between the forces of two rival generals.
  • Both sides said they are committed to facilitating humanitarian assistance but have committed prohibited acts that impeded those efforts: Statement

RIYADH: Violations by warring parties during the short-term cease-fire in Sudan have significantly impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid and the restoration of basic services, a Saudi-US statement said on Sunday.

The statement said that despite both sides saying they are committed to facilitating humanitarian assistance and the restoration of essential services for the sake of the Sudanese people, they have committed prohibited acts that impeded those efforts.

“In violation of the prohibition against aerial attacks and the use of military aircraft or drones, the Sudanese Armed Forces has flown military aircraft daily during the cease-fire,” the statement said.

This includes a confirmed airstrike on May 27 in Khartoum that reportedly killed two people and a separate airstrike on the same day that damaged Sudan’s currency printing press.

The statement added that the Rapid Support Forces continues to infiltrate civilian areas, occupying homes, private businesses, and public buildings.

“There have been confirmed instances of looting of residences and businesses by the RSF in those areas,” it said. 

Both the army and the RSF undertook attacks and moved troops, weapons, and other resources despite the cease-fire. 

The army conducted multiple attacks in the Saq Al-Umla area and the RSF moved significant forces to the Al-Halfaya Bridge, in proximity to the Wadi Seidna Air Base, the statement said.

Specific instances of violations are listed below:

On May 26, humanitarian actors seeking access to hospitals and other infrastructure observed snipers in RSF-controlled territory.

On May 24, members of the army commandeered medical supplies from two separate facilities to which those goods had just been delivered.

On May 25, fuel funds and two vehicles in a humanitarian convoy were stolen.

“Maintenance personnel have been unable to access essential infrastructure facilities to conduct repairs due to the presence of armed actors at those facilities and heavy fighting in proximity to them. Both parties are posturing for further escalation,” the statement said.

The Kingdom and the US, as facilitators, said the cessation of airstrikes carried out by the army, the withdrawal of RSF forces from urban areas, and ending attacks against humanitarian actors would facilitate improved delivery of assistance that the Sudanese people badly need.

“We have urged both parties to agree to an extension of the current cease-fire, however imperfectly observed, to provide more time for humanitarian actors to undertake that vital work,” both countries said.

The cease-fire is due to expire on Monday as weeks of fighting reached a stalemate in the capital and elsewhere in the African country on Sunday.


Saudi Arabia, Malaysia sign deal for mutual recognition of halal certification

Saudi Arabia, Malaysia sign deal for mutual recognition of halal certification
Updated 28 May 2023

Saudi Arabia, Malaysia sign deal for mutual recognition of halal certification

Saudi Arabia, Malaysia sign deal for mutual recognition of halal certification
  • Agreement aims to standardize halal standards due to variances in specifications, with over 400 certificates worldwide

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, also known as JAKIM, signed a memorandum of cooperation for mutual recognition of the halal certification of locally manufactured products.

The agreement was signed by SFDA CEO Dr. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey and Jakim Director General Dr. Hakima Yusuf.

It also includes areas of cooperation on conformity assessment procedures, standard specifications, regulations for issuing halal certificates, and knowledge exchange in training, research and laboratory analysis of halal products.

Al-Jadhey said the agreement aims to standardize halal standards due to variances in specifications, with over 400 certificates worldwide.

He emphasized the importance of establishing a regulatory framework to improve the dependability of halal products for Muslims worldwide.

He said the Saudi Halal Center has been working for several years to establish a framework for a uniform international halal certification system, citing the signing of a memorandum of cooperation in this regard between the Kingdom and Morocco in October last year.
 


Hajj cybersecurity exercise held in Jeddah 

The exercise aims to develop the skills of specialists and enable them to carry out their duties in order to improve services.
The exercise aims to develop the skills of specialists and enable them to carry out their duties in order to improve services.
Updated 28 May 2023

Hajj cybersecurity exercise held in Jeddah 

The exercise aims to develop the skills of specialists and enable them to carry out their duties in order to improve services.
  • The exercise includes conducting cyberattack simulations and applying the emergency incident response mechanism

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority on Sunday launched an exercise for Hajj in Jeddah which involves more than 350 cybersecurity officials.

The two-day exercise aims to develop the skills of specialists and enable them to carry out their duties in order to improve services for Hajj pilgrims.

The exercise includes conducting cyberattack simulations, applying the emergency incident response mechanism, starting from readiness, detection, and analysis, then containment, recovery, and post-accident procedures, in addition to sharing information and learned lessons.

It will also include a set of technical and administrative activities aimed at finding innovative solutions to online challenges and threats.

Meanwhile, CEO of the Company of Mutawifs for Pilgrims from African Non-Arab Countries Bader Bafakeeh inaugurated the first stage of a smart camp project for African non-Arab pilgrims in Arafat and Mina.

Several contracts and strategic partnerships were signed with a number of specialized companies and institutions. The project encourages the use of technology to solve crowd management challenges through smart monitoring systems that provide real-time indicators, which supports decision-making and facilitates smoother rituals for Hajj pilgrims.


Saudi Arabia, France discuss economic cooperation in private sector 

Saudi Arabia, France discuss economic cooperation in private sector 
Updated 28 May 2023

Saudi Arabia, France discuss economic cooperation in private sector 

Saudi Arabia, France discuss economic cooperation in private sector 
  • Raffarin called for providing French companies with opportunities in the Saudi market

RIYADH: The Federation of Saudi Chambers hosted a meeting between Saudi business owners and a delegation of 100 French companies, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. 

The two sides were headed by former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and Mohammed bin Laden, president of the Saudi-French Business Council.

During the meeting, Raffarin called for greater economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France by providing French companies with opportunities in the Saudi market. He acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s pioneering role regionally and internationally.

The meeting reviewed the strategy of the Saudi-French Business Council and its various efforts, including extending its membership to 150 people. 

Bin Laden said that the council obtained approval for French residents in Saudi Arabia to join as members. He noted the council’s role in the development of trade relations between the two countries.

The volume of trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and France amounted to SR 43.3 billion ($11.46 billion) in 2022, with Saudi exports to France increasing by 80 percent.
 


South Korean festival introduces country’s culture, history to Jeddawis

The South Korean General Consulate recently staged a two-day cultural event in Jeddah. (Supplied)
The South Korean General Consulate recently staged a two-day cultural event in Jeddah. (Supplied)
Updated 28 May 2023

South Korean festival introduces country’s culture, history to Jeddawis

The South Korean General Consulate recently staged a two-day cultural event in Jeddah. (Supplied)
  • In the karaoke zone people danced, and sang their favorite K-pop tunes, while some of the event organizers took turns singing traditional Korean songs

JEDDAH: The South Korean General Consulate recently staged a two-day cultural event in Jeddah.

The Korea Festival, held at the city’s Korean International School, was aimed at introducing South Korean culture to Jeddawis.

Among the activities taking place were a calligraphy workshop, cooking and handicraft sessions, a traditional outfits zone, a photo booth, karaoke, an exhibition of artifacts, and food stalls.

Visitors to the calligraphy workshop were shown how to write in different Korean styles, while those attending the handicraft section could learn the art of making paper bags and coloring a paper fan.

Cooking sessions gave an insight into South Korean cuisine including bibimbap, a dish consisting of rice, vegetables, meat, and fried egg, and kimchi, a pickle-like fermented cabbage served as a side. South Korean street food such as sodduk and seasoned chicken was on sale at the food stalls.

In the karaoke zone people danced, and sang their favorite K-pop tunes, while some of the event organizers took turns singing traditional Korean songs.

A display of artifacts included a crown, traditional outfits, paintings, weapons, vases, jewelry boxes, and utensils.

In a welcome speech, Consul General Byoung Jin Han launched a Korean speech contest with 102 participants.

He said: “I would like to thank everyone here for attending the festival and for your love and interest in South Korean culture. Although there are things related to the Korean culture that are missing in this event, I do hope everyone has a good time.”

The diplomat noted that the best way to get to know and understand South Korean culture was by visiting the country.

“But I do still tell my Saudi friends not to go there because I’m afraid that they might fall in love with Korea and decide to live there,” he added.

Jin Han gave special mention to people learning to speak Korean.

He said: “To learn a foreign language takes a lot of courage and love, and by learning Korean, you’re showing your love for the language.”

Meanwhile, the speech contest winner received a tablet, with the second-placed contender getting a smartwatch, and the third earbuds, while all participants were given gifts.

Both days of the festival ended with a talent show involving mainly singing and dance acts.