Academics, experts consensus on keeping up with changes in Saudi labor market

Academics, experts consensus on keeping up with changes in Saudi labor market
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From Right: Dr. Ahmed Al-Zahrani, Deputy Minister of HRSD for Labor Affairs, Turki Aljawini, Director General of HRDF and Dr. Abdullah bin Yahya Alhussein, the President of Al-Baha University during a dialogue session held in Liqaat Al-Baha Forum 2024 ended on Wednesday at Al-Baha University. (Supplied/ HRDF)
Academics, experts consensus on keeping up with changes in Saudi labor market
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A group shot of a number of students and jobseekers, shortly after the end of a workshop held in Liqaat Al-Baha Forum 2024 ended on Wednesday in Al-Baha. (Supplied/ HRDF)
Academics, experts consensus on keeping up with changes in Saudi labor market
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Workshops held in Liqaat Al-Baha Forum 2024 attracted a large number of male and female citizens of the region. (Supplied/ HRDF)
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Updated 06 March 2024
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Academics, experts consensus on keeping up with changes in Saudi labor market

Academics, experts consensus on keeping up with changes in Saudi labor market
  • Turki Aljawini, director general of HRDF, emphasized in a dialogue session at the forum that it was focused on “business sector needs and on the demand of national human resources skills”
  • Dr. Ahmed Al-Zahrani, deputy minister for labor affairs, said that labor markets in the world had undergone several technological changes, and in business models and work patterns

RIYADH: Liqaat Al-Baha Forum 2024, organized by the Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources Development Fund at Al-Baha University in the south of Saudi Arabia, ended on Wednesday with academic consensus on the need to keep up with changes in the labor market.
Professionals and academics agreed on the importance of dealing with the requirements of changes in the labor market, while the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said that they were working in “integration” with educational authorities on the new work models around the world.
Turki Aljawini, director general of HRDF, emphasized in a dialogue session at the forum that it was focused on “business sector needs and on the demand of national human resources skills.
“We endeavor to develop professional skills for Saudis, increasing the level of their participation in the labor market, and motivating the private sector to contribute to Saudization,” he said.
Aljawini said that the fund’s new strategy, launched in the first quarter of last year, seeks to enhance the development of national human capital to meet the developing requirements of the labor market, improving the relationship between offer and demand in the labor market, and enabling employment and its sustainability in the private sector.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Zahrani, deputy minister for labor affairs, said that labor markets in the world had undergone several technological changes, and in business models and work patterns.
He said that the ministry aimed for integration with the efforts of educational institutions and supervisory authorities.
Dr. Abdullah Alhussein, president of Al-Baha University, said that due to accelerating changes in the labor market, universities were working to improve and develop their programs to keep up with labor market development and the required skills.
The workshops at the forum mainly targeted job seekers with information on how to plan job-searching, discovering occupational interests and professionalism in work.
Both male and female students focused on the topics of career counseling, how to choose a specialization, generating entrepreneurial ideas, and professions and skills of the future.
The forum included an exhibition, in which the participating establishments provided job opportunities for male and female jobseekers, along with a number of guidance and training sessions.
The forum was attended by a large number of specialists in human resources development, qualified national staff, private-sector representatives and officers of governmental agencies.


Campaign launched to enhance hospitality standards

Campaign launched to enhance hospitality standards
Updated 16 sec ago
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Campaign launched to enhance hospitality standards

Campaign launched to enhance hospitality standards
  • The initiative seeks to enhance the quality of services offered to both domestic and international tourists across the Kingdom

Riyadh: The Ministry of Tourism has launched the “Our Guests Are Our Priority” campaign, which aims to reinforce hospitality facilities’ adherence to licensing and classification standards, ensuring compliance with all requirements and regulations.

The first phase of the campaign, which began in early September, focuses on media and awareness activities that engage all stakeholders in the tourism sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The initiative seeks to enhance the quality of services offered to both domestic and international tourists across the Kingdom.

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb emphasized that the campaign encourages all tourism stakeholders to cooperate with the ministry in achieving Saudi Vision 2030 and elevating the Kingdom’s status as a global tourism destination.

Vice Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa Al-Saud recently launched an initiative to improve education and training standards in the tourism sector.

The initiative aims to align educational programs with labor market needs, according to the ministry. The goal is to help tourism institutions earn international and local accreditations and professional certificates.


KSrelief provides aid in Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon

KSrelief provides aid in Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon
Updated 15 September 2024
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KSrelief provides aid in Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon

KSrelief provides aid in Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to provide humanitarian assistance in several regions.

In Sudan, the agency distributed 500 food baskets in the Dongola region, Northern State, on Thursday, benefiting 5,105 individuals affected by flash floods and heavy rains. The action formed part of the second phase of the 2024 food security support project.

In Yemen, KSrelief provided 158 shelter bags and 92 tents to 948 individuals in Al Sabran camp, Al-Madina District of Marib Governorate, as part of the emergency shelter aid project.

Al-Ja’dah Health Center in Yemen’s Hajjah Governorate, supported by KSrelief, provided medical services to 2,164 people from Aug. 21-27. Clinics treated patients in departments including emergency, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics, while 1,992 individuals received medications.

In northern Lebanon, KSrelief funded 59 ambulance missions in the Miniyeh district through the Subul Al Salam Social Association. These missions involved patient transport and emergency services in refugee areas and host communities.

These efforts are part of KSrelief's ongoing assistance to needy communities in Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon.


Vibrant feathers in Asir’s cap

Asir region’s diverse habitats, from highlands to plains, provide ideal conditions for a variety of bird species to thrive. (SPA
Asir region’s diverse habitats, from highlands to plains, provide ideal conditions for a variety of bird species to thrive. (SPA
Updated 14 September 2024
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Vibrant feathers in Asir’s cap

Asir region’s diverse habitats, from highlands to plains, provide ideal conditions for a variety of bird species to thrive. (SPA
  • Asir is home to a wide range of avian life, including endemic species such as the Asir magpie, a rare bird found only in this region of Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Asir, a region renowned for its natural beauty, is also a sanctuary for a range of migratory birds.

These feathered visitors, some of which have inhabited the region for millennia, contribute significantly to the area’s rich biodiversity. The region’s diverse habitats, from highlands to plains, provide ideal conditions for a variety of bird species to thrive, the Saudi Press Agency reports.

The acacia, juniper and natural flowers provide suitable habitats for different bird species. (SPA)

In the spring, the forests of Asir come alive with the vibrant colors and songs of these avian guests. The region’s blend of climate and topography attracts birds from around the world, including species from Africa, Europe and Asia.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Asir’s blend of climate and topography attracts birds from around the world, including species from Africa, Europe and Asia.

• The endemic species such as the Asir magpie is a rare bird found only in this region of the Kingdom.

• European species such as the European bee-eater also visit the region during the spring and summer.

The SPA team, accompanied by bird enthusiast Ahmed Niazi, recently embarked on a journey to witness the natural spectacle of gathered birds.

Asir region’s diverse habitats, from highlands to plains, provide ideal conditions for a variety of bird species to thrive. (SPA)

According to Niazi in an interview with SPA, Asir appeals to migratory birds through its diverse tree species and varying temperatures. The acacia, juniper and natural flowers provide suitable habitats for different bird species.

Asir is home to a wide range of avian life, including endemic species such as the Asir magpie, a rare bird found only in this region of the Kingdom.

The acacia, juniper and natural flowers provide suitable habitats for different bird species. (SPA)

The fall and spring seasons are peak migration periods in Saudi Arabia, as birds traverse the region on their journeys between the northern and southern hemispheres.

Migratory birds from Africa, such as the African paradise flycatcher, pied cuckoo and gray-headed kingfisher, find suitable breeding grounds in Asir’s humid southwestern highlands. European species such as the European bee-eater also visit the region during the spring and summer.

The book, “Birds of Saudi Arabia,” published by Aramco in 2020, highlights the Kingdom’s rich avian diversity; 499 species are recorded, including 401 resident or migratory birds and 11 rare species.

 


Saudi artist adds local twist to French art movements

Saudi artist adds local twist to French art movements
Updated 14 September 2024
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Saudi artist adds local twist to French art movements

Saudi artist adds local twist to French art movements
  • Vibrant artworks are a ‘rebellion against dull landscapes of the past,’ says Mohammed Al-Aameri

RIYADH: In his latest exhibition, Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Aameri is presenting his own take on cubism and fauvism — with a Saudi twist.

“Red Line” at Kenz Gallery in the Al-Mousa Center, Riyadh, is on show until Sept. 20. The works on display draw particular inspiration from fauvism, an early 20th-century art movement known for its bold colors and expressive brushwork, favoring emotional expression through color over strict adherence to realism.

“Red Line” marks a pivotal moment in Al-Aameri’s artistic journey. (Photo/Rahaf Jambi)

Al-Aameri told Arab News, “My exhibition focuses on expressing feelings and emotions as an alternative to realistic photography, while mixing my own style with techniques inspired by fauvism and cubism. Although fauvism was short-lived, it laid the groundwork for many modern-art movements.”

“Red Line” is the result of an artistic journey that spans decades. Al-Aameri’s paintings encapsulate stories, emotions, and cultural heritage.

Through my research, travel, and interaction with many (international) artists, I aim to revive the innovative spirit of these schools in my own style, presenting it in a new and distinctive way in Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed Al-Aameri, Saudi artist

“Through my research, travel, and interaction with many (international) artists, I aim to revive the innovative spirit of these schools in my own style, presenting it in a new and distinctive way in Saudi Arabia,” the 55-year-old artist said.

By tapping into modern art movements that push boundaries Mohammed Al-Aameri’s goal is to challenge the status quo and inspire emerging artists to think beyond conventional methods. (Photo/Rahaf Jambi)

“Red Line” consists of 20 works, including paintings that feature figures in traditional Saudi attire rendered in a vibrant palette that contrasts sharply with the muted colors typically associated with historical representations of the region.

“I love colors, and aim to express a spectrum in my paintings,” he said. “It’s a form of rebellion against the past, where we were often limited to dull landscapes of brown and green.”

Mohammed Al-Aameri, Saudi artist

Al-Aameri’s work is also deeply inspired by his childhood memories. These recollections provide a backdrop to his artistic expression, allowing him to weave personal history into his works.

At 19, Al-Aameri became enamored with Picasso’s art after seeing it in a magazine. “His work touched me and encouraged me to explore cubism,” he said. “I had been drawing in a classical style, but Picasso’s art showed me the potential to break boundaries. Cubism requires a deep understanding of geometry, which fascinated me.”

By tapping into modern art movements that push boundaries Mohammed Al-Aameri’s goal is to challenge the status quo and inspire emerging artists to think beyond conventional methods. (Photo/Rahaf Jambi)

This newfound passion led to opportunities for training with international artists in France and Florence, enriching his artistic perspective.

Al-Aameri’s goal is to challenge the status quo and inspire emerging artists to think beyond conventional methods. “I aim to elevate the concept of art in Saudi Arabia, as many artists are still confined to traditional approaches,” he said.

His own artistic journey began at a young age. “I discovered my love for drawing at eight, inspired by my mother … my first portrait was of King Khaled, which amazed everyone and ignited my passion for art,” he said.

At 16, Al-Aameri sold his first painting—a watercolor depicting a Bedouin woman spinning wool. “The piece was filled with warm colors representing the Saudi environment,” he recalls. This artwork caught the attention of a British collector and was sold for SR3,500 ($933).

“Red Line” marks a pivotal moment in Al-Aameri’s artistic journey, showcasing not only his skill but also his vision for the future of art in Saudi Arabia.

“The exhibition is a celebration of art’s power to transcend limitations and connect with deeper truths,” he said.

 


Saudi delegation meets UK’s National Audit Office to boost cooperation, expertise

Saudi delegation meets UK’s National Audit Office to boost cooperation, expertise
Updated 14 September 2024
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Saudi delegation meets UK’s National Audit Office to boost cooperation, expertise

Saudi delegation meets UK’s National Audit Office to boost cooperation, expertise
  • Talks focused on enhancing quality and efficiency through the value-for-money methodology

LONDON: A delegation from Saudi Arabia’s General Auditing Bureau met with officials from the UK’s National Audit Office in London to discuss strengthening cooperation and exchange expertise in the field of public sector auditing, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
During the meeting, both parties explored opportunities for collaboration on performance reviews, financial statement analysis, technical capabilities, and risk management frameworks, SPA added.
They also focused on enhancing quality and efficiency through the value-for-money methodology, from the planning stage to measuring impact.
This comes as Saudi Arabia shifts from cash-based to accrual-based accounting in its public sector.
The delegation also held discussions with Gareth Davies, the UK’s comptroller and auditor general.
He emphasized the importance of the meeting in fostering closer ties between the two bodies.
Davies highlighted the significance of exchanging knowledge and expertise in areas such as accounting, auditing, and professional oversight, and noted that these efforts would contribute to improving the performance and efficiency of both institutions.