How a new tech academy is helping Saudi Arabia train its next generation of app developers 

Special How a new tech academy is helping Saudi Arabia train its next generation of app developers 
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Updated 28 June 2024
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How a new tech academy is helping Saudi Arabia train its next generation of app developers 

How a new tech academy is helping Saudi Arabia train its next generation of app developers 
  • The Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh will soon teach Saudi students how to design and code their own apps
  • Students at the all-female school will learn how to build, train, and deploy machine learning models across Apple devices

RIYADH: Saudi designers and entrepreneurs are making bold strides in the field of artificial intelligence, helped along by training schemes, mentors and new technologies provided by some of the world’s leading tech companies.

Silicon Valley heavyweight Apple recently unveiled a new program to train students to use the latest emerging technologies, creating opportunities for Saudi Arabia’s tech-savvy workforce of the future.

The Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh is among the institutions that will implement this training. Not only is it the first in the Middle East and North Africa region — it is also the only all-female academy of its kind in the world.

“Our mission is to empower female developers in KSA and the region, with skills for the tech jobs of tomorrow,” Ohood Al-Nayel, director of the Apple Developer Academy, told Arab News.




Ohood Al-Nayel. (Supplied)

“We aim to pioneer new frontiers in education. By empowering more women to be leaders in technology, we hope Saudi Arabia can become a hub for AI research, entrepreneurship and development in the region.”

Established as part of a collaboration between Apple and Tuwaiq Academy, the scheme is currently accepting 200 learners per year for its nine-month “The Academy” program, 330 for “The Foundation” four-week program, and 50 for its second-year visionary program. 

Scheduled to launch this autumn, the new custom-built core curriculum will teach students and alumni how to build, train and use machine-learning models across Apple devices.

“We have three goals,” Al-Nayel said. “The first is to teach our developers to always use and advocate for use of native tools like Xcode, Swift, and Apple frameworks, as this is important for iOS and app development. 

“Our second goal is to produce local Arabic apps that apply accessibility. Our final goal is not just to teach our learners how to code, but to instill in them a passion for lifelong learning and give them the tools to drive meaningful change. 

“We want our graduates to leave equipped with both strong technical skills and an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit that can transform any industry.”




The scheme is currently accepting 200 learners per year for its nine-month “The Academy” program. (Supplied)

Courses will include the fundamentals of AI technologies and frameworks, core machine learning and its ability to deliver fast performance on Apple devices, and guidance on how to build and train AI models from the ground up.

Students will learn from a guided curriculum and project-based assignments that include assistance from hundreds of mentors and more than 12,000 academy alumni worldwide.

With a focus on AI, learners will be able to apply the latest technology to fields as diverse as healthcare, education and transport.




With a focus on AI, learners will be able to apply the latest technology to fields as diverse as healthcare, education and transport. (Supplied)

Although the curriculum is yet to begin, students are already incorporating AI models to innovate the app market. 

One example is the “Artector” app, developed by Farah Al-Amri, Lujain Yahya, and Baynah bin Hathlin for art lovers who are visually impaired.

They found that the application programming interfaces of a current AI model contained biases and did not reflect the true nature of a given artwork. The team therefore trained their own AI model to better analyze art and describe it using a voiceover feature. 




The scheme is currently accepting 200 learners per year for its nine-month “The Academy” program. (Supplied)

The app functions as a visual tour guide, Al-Nayel said, providing an accessible auditory alternative.

“Users can explore various artworks and gain insights into their historical context, artistic techniques and symbolic meanings by accessing detailed descriptions either by reading or listening,” she said.

“This app enhances the art appreciation journey, enabling users to engage with and comprehend art pieces more effectively.”

Other apps include “PiClean,” which helps students clean up their surroundings and enhance environmental awareness, and “iSpeak,” which helps people conquer their fear of public speaking and communicate more clearly. 

By encouraging this kind of innovation, the academy wants students to learn important skills to contribute to local businesses and communities, and increase opportunities for developers, designers and entrepreneurs to build the growing iOS app economy.

“Our curriculum is agile and customized yearly based on feedback from regional industry leaders so learners gain skills that are applicable in the Saudi job market,” said Al-Nayel. 

The latest technologies and application programming interfaces unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference — WWDC24 — in San Francisco earlier in June offered students access to powerful new tools. 

Xcode 16, for instance, raises the bar in developer productivity. New features and performance improvements like Swift Assist streamline coding tasks and encourage students to explore new frameworks and innovate freely.

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Swift 6 also introduces enhancements designed to improve code clarity and simplify concurrent programming.

“At Apple, we see coding as a universal language and believe in empowering developers, creators, and entrepreneurs across the world with tools and technologies that will allow them to create phenomenal experiences,” Susan Prescott, vice president of developer relations at Apple, said in a statement.

“With the introduction of a curriculum dedicated to AI and other new technologies we introduced this week, we’re excited to see what students will build to share with their communities and the world.”

The new core curriculum will be provided to thousands of students and alumni across 18 developer academies in six countries — Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Indonesia, Italy, South Korea and the US.
 

 


KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister

KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister
Updated 11 September 2024
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KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister

KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister

RIYADH: Anneliese Dodds, the British minister for development, has praised Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts in various countries of the world through its relief agency KSrelief.
The minister made this comment during a video conference Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, the head of KSrelief, where they also discussed matters of common interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs.
Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, KSrelief assistant supervisor for operations and programs, met with Gavi Vaccine Alliance chief executive Sania Nishtar in Riyadh to discuss humanitarian and relief measures and ways to provide essential vaccines to countries assessed in need.
Elsewhere, the aid agency has also awarded an initial approval certificate to the Ain Ophthalmology Association in Jazan, allowing it to conduct operations outside the Kingdom.
In Jordan, KSrelief clinics provided services to 2,551 Syrian refugees in Zaatari Camp.


KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 

KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 
Updated 11 September 2024
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KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 

KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 

RIYADH: KSrelief continues implementing several projects in Yemen, including the distribution of dates across the country to neediest groups.
The agency distributed 6,000 cartons of dates in the districts of Al-Houta and Al-Melah in Yemen’s Lahj Governorate, benefiting 36,000 individuals, state news agency SPA reported. 
It also delivered 3,187 cartons of dates to vulnerable groups in the Midi district of Yemen’s Hajjah governorate.
This aid, benefiting 18,000 individuals, is part of the date assistance distribution project in Yemen for 2024.


Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory

Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory
Updated 11 September 2024
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Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory

Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory
  • International Court of Justice has ruled settlements are illegal
  • Ministers call for UN to suspend Israel from general assembly

CAIRO: The Arab League’s foreign ministers have urged the international community to enforce the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion declaring Israel’s settlements illegal in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

At the conclusion of their discussions on Tuesday at the 162nd Ministerial Meeting of the Arab League Council in Cairo, the ministers said Israel must cease its illegal presence and all settlement activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They called on the UN General Assembly and Security Council to consider additional measures to end Israel’s illegal occupation.

The ministers also urged the ICJ to expedite its judgment on the case brought by South Africa against Israel, which accuses Tel Aviv of failing to abide by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

They said Israel’s expulsion of the Palestinian people from their land constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

It was also a declaration of war and aggression against Arab nations, undermines peace prospects, and exacerbates conflict in the region.

They called on the UN to suspend Israel from participating in its general assembly, SPA reported.

This was because of Israel’s “non-compliance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, its threat to international peace and security, and its failure to fulfill its obligations that were a condition for its admission to the United Nations.”

They also slammed Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor, which they said were obstructing efforts for a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners and hostages.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan

Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan
Updated 11 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan

Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan

GENEVA: Saudi Arabia reiterated its support for Sudan during the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, reported state news agency SPA.

Abdulmohsen bin Majed bin Khothaila, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, delivered a statement on the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan.

In his statement, Khothaila emphasized the need to protect Sudan and its people from further destruction and the worsening humanitarian situation.

The Sudanese army, led by de facto ruler Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, is locked in conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Khothaila has stressed the importance of adhering to the protection of civilians and aid workers and ensuring the safety of humanitarian corridors for the delivery of essential aid.

The war, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Saudi Arabia also urged the prioritization of the interests of Sudanese people and halting of the conflict to safeguard state institutions and lead Sudan to safety.

The Kingdom called on the international community to commit to protecting Sudan and its people and working to restore security and stability in the country while welcoming international efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Sudan.


 


Saudi FM discuss Palestine, Syria and Somalia crises with counterparts in Cairo meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends an Arab League meeting in Cairo on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends an Arab League meeting in Cairo on Tuesday. (SPA)
Updated 11 September 2024
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Saudi FM discuss Palestine, Syria and Somalia crises with counterparts in Cairo meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends an Arab League meeting in Cairo on Tuesday. (SPA)
  • Ministers discussed joint Arab action to intensify coordination on the Palestinian issue at the meeting

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his counterparts at the sidelines of the Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo on Tuesday.

During the meeting, ministers discussed joint Arab action to intensify coordination on the Palestinian issue and other matters of concern.

Regional and international developments were also discussed at the meeting that was attended by a Turkish foreign minister for the first time in 13 years.

Bin Farhan bin Abdullah additionally met with his Tunisian counterpart Mohamed Nafti, who discussed ties and regional and international issues of common interest. 

The Kingdom’s foreign minister also met with the Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Salem Ould Merzoug, on the sidelines of the Ministerial meeting and discussed cooperation.

Several Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and the Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit took part in a Liaison Committee meeting which discussed strengthening the Arab role in settling the Syrian crisis.

Similarly, a meeting was held to support Somalia in confronting the assault on its sovereignty. The meeting was attended by many Arab leaders including Faisal bin Farhan, and Arab the importance of respecting sovereignty of states was discussed.